CUNNING, SCHEMING is best described by the term MACHIAVELLIAN, which refers to a person who is cunning and scheming in their approach to achieving their goals. This term originates from the Italian philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli, who wrote the political treatise The Prince in 1532. In this work, Machiavelli argued that it was sometimes necessary for rulers to be cunning and scheming in order to maintain power and control. The term has since been used to describe people who use manipulative tactics to achieve their goals.