To Live and Die

"Machiavelli, according to the popular view, although this is disputed at least in part by most Machiavelli scholars, held that people were by nature untrustworthy, malevolent and self-serving, and thus those in power could only maintain their position through exploitative and deceitful actions"
-Wikipedia

Niccolo Machiavelli was an Italian philosopher, diplomat, writer, and civil servant among other things. He was brought to fame in part because of his short literary piece, Il Principe (The Prince), which described the strategy of gaining political power. His views, as stated by the quote, are that people are naturally self-serving and duplicitous. His belief is that one is responsible for their own destiny and must achieve it by any means necessary, no matter the consequences-unintended or otherwise-that befall others. This view is generally perceived as selfish and wrong in our society; so much so that Machiavellianism has become one of the negative three personality traits known as "The Dark Triad" along with narcissism and psychopathy. His views are most likely a result of his experience in politics. He clearly experienced treachery and lying; therefore leading him to this conclusion. It may not have been what he wanted, it was more likely what he felt was necessary. This is a somber view, however I do not think Machiavelli should be judged for it. It was the world that he lived in and the way he chose to act.

Machiavelli was studied most famously-in pop culture at least-by rapper Tupac Shakur while he was in prison. Tupac could relate to Machiavelli because of the deceit he had experienced and the solidarity of prison life. He released The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory under the alias "Makaveli". This was his darkest album; expressing raw emotion and anger, the traits he perceived of Machiavelli.

There is also an urban myth that Machiavelli faked his own death. This, along with the image of Tupac being crucified and the album being recorded just weeks before his murder, is a major factor in the ongoing debate as to whether or not Tupac did the same.