Today the name machiavelli suggest ruthlessness, ambition and backstabbing politics. what idea in machiavelli's book, the prince, gave him this reputation?

a:
the idea that power should be passed down through families from father to son

b:
the idea that rulers and leaders should treat their subjects with compassion, above all else

c: the idea that rulers and leads should be guided by ambition, not by their moral or religious beliefs

d: the idea that power should belong to the wealthiest people in a society