rapacious

To presume a want of motives for such contests [of power between states] as an argument against their existence, would be to forget that men are ambitious, vindictive, and rapacious.

A Prince […] sooner becomes hated by being rapacious and by interfering with the property and with the women of his subjects, than in any other way.

Even the rapacious birds appeared to comprehend the nature of the ceremony, for […] they once more began to make their airy circuits above the place[…]