Niccolò Machiavelli's famous instructions to political leaders have become synonymous, no doubt unfairly, with devious cynicism and corruption. Born on May 3, 1469, in Florence, Italy, Machiavelli became famous for this work, which he wrote to impress the ruling Medici family. His political genius and his subtle understanding of human nature have been influential in western history, although it is unlikely that the term "Machiavellian" will ever be applied to a political leader in a complimentary spirit.