48 Laws Of Power Flashcards
Law #1: Never Outshine the Master
“Nicolas Fouquet made the mistake of appearing larger than his King, Louis XIV, and spent his remaining days incarcerated. Avoid victories over superiors. It will cost you more than it is worth.”
Law #2: Never Put too Much Trust in Friends, Learn How to Use Enemies
“Michael III of the Byzantine Empire was saved from death by Basilius, who Michael in turn favored with gifts and prestige. Basilius, lusting for more power, murdered Michael out of greed. Instead of showing gratitude. He was insatiable. Trust from a distance. People are selfish and pursue their own interests. Former opponents make more loyal and stronger friends.”
Law #3: Conceal Your Intentions
“The Marquis de Sevigne wanted to seduce a young countess. Instead of being indirect and subtle he exposed his true feelings for her and she lost all interest as he blurted out that he loved her. Add a sense of inexplicable mystery to your character.”
Law #4: Always Say Less than Necessary
“Due to his unpredictability Louis XIV would have his courtiers tremble in fear when delivering bad news. He would say “I shall see”, have them leave the room and either take action or decide to do nothing about the issue, but always with an intimidating silence. Only speak when you have something meaningful to say. Actions speak louder than words.”
Law #5: So Much Depends on Reputation - Guard It With Your Life
“During the second World War Erwin Rommel was known for his superior skill in cunning and deceptive strategy. All of the opposition were demoralized and doubting their chances of success facing him. Your reputation precedes you. Build and protect it carefully.”
Law #6: Court Attention at all Cost
“Pablo Picasso would not allow himself to fade into the background. He would rather paint something out of the ordinary and ugly, than be forgotten. All publicity is good publicity. Don’t let yourself become one of many.”
Law #7: Get Others to Do the Work for You
“Thomas Edison wasn’t much of a scientist, but a businessman. He would capitalize on Nikola Tesla’s genius and garner all the credit. Hire talents capable of doing what you can’t.”
Law #8: Make Other People Come To You - Use Bait if Necessary
“When I have laid bait for deer, I don’t shoot at the first doe that comes to sniff, but wait until the whole herd has gathered round. - Otto von Bismarck Force your opponent to react to your moves.”
Law #9: Win Through Your Actions - Not Through Argument
“Mucianus needed strong ships. Without guarding his tongue his engineer argued that a different type than the one Mucianus preferred would be much better for conquest. Despite being right the engineer was sentenced to death. Don’t argue with authorities. Agree and suggest an alternative, then demonstrate.”
Law #10: Infection: Avoid the Unhappy and Unlucky
“Lola Montez brought down the King of Bavaria and his whole kingdom by seducing him. Her lust for destruction and chaos was insatiable. Countless lives perished, because of her nature. Cut off the firestarters. Try to help them instead and you too will burn alongside them.”
Law #11: Learn To Keep People Dependent on You
“Otto von Bismarck led the King’s hand in uniting a mighty Prussia. None other than Bismarck was able to do so. He proved himself to be an indispensable asset and had his strong position secured. Be the only one who can do what you do or see yourself replaced in fear sooner or later.”
Law #12: Use Selective Honesty to Disarm Your Victim
“Count Victor Lustig was going to double Al Capone’s 50’000$. Instead of running with the money he gave it all back to Capone who thought he was being played by a con artist. Capone gave Lustig the 5’000$ simply to help the “honest” man. Tell the truth to gain your opponent’s trust. Be honest when expected to be dishonest to throw your opponent off guard.”
Law #13: Asking for Help Appeal to People’s Self Interest
“In 433 B.C., the Athenians found themselves in a favorable position. The Corcyrans & the Corinthians were preparing for war. Both parties wanted to secure the help of the Athenians. The Corinthians chose to remind them of an existing debt. The Corcyrans on the other hand spoke only of mutual interests, the combined force of their navy directed at Sparta. The Athenians allied with the Corcyrans. In sales of any kind, pragmatic arguments will always trump emotional appeals. The past does not matter. Don’t count on loyalty. Aim for win-win deals.”
Law #14: Pose as a Friend, Work as a Spy
“Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord, French politician and mastermind behind Napoleon Bonaparte’s defeat would hold himself back in conversation and get others to talk endlessly of themselves to the point of betraying their own thought, intent and strategy. An interrogation disguised as a friendly chat, so subtle that the victim did not notice. Learn to judge a person’s character by what they reveal of themselves, so that you can recognize a threat before it arises. Test people’s honesty before you consider trusting them.”
Law #15: Crush Your Enemy Totally
“A priest asked the dying Spanish statesman and general Ramon Maria Narvaez (1800-1868), “Does your Excellency forgive all your enemies?” he responsed “I do not have to forgive my enemies,” answered Narvaez, “I have had them all shot.” The last resort, when words are no longer heard and the enemy cannot possibly be reasoned with, the chances for peace at their lowest, the only option is total destruction. Merely wound the enemy, he will recover and show no mercy in turn.”
Law #16: Use Absence to Increase Respect and Honor
“A man said to a Dervish: “Why do I not see you more often?” The Dervish replied, “Because the words ‘Why have you not been to see me?’ are sweeter to my ear than the words ‘Why have you come again?’ - Mulla Jami, quoted in Idries Sha’s Caravan of Dreams, 1968. Give people time to miss you by robbing them off your presence. It’s when we lose something, that we discover how valuable it had been to us. On your return you will be appreciated all the more.”
Law #17: Cultivate an Air of Unpredictability
“Once Pablo Picasso had become a recognized artist, others would assume that whatever action he took must have been calculated. The art dealer Paul Rosenberg was confused, when one day Picasso told him they would no longer work together. Rosenberg couldn’t find out why and offered him a much better deal. The unpredictable is terrifying. When you don’t know what to expect you cannot prepare properly, you can’t devise a clever plan, because you’re in the dark. Put others in such position when negotiating.”
Law #18: Isolation is Dangerous
“The more you are isolated, the easier it is to deceive you. You lose touch with reality. When someone is urging you to cut friends and family out of your life realize that they want to control and influence you all by themselves. Whether they do this consciously or unconsciously it is malicious. Be careful in cutting yourself off from others for too long. Introverted or not you may cause yourself great harm psychologically by pushing others away from you.”
Law #19: Do Not Offend the Wrong Person
“Muhammad, the shah of Khwarezm, and Inalchik had beheaded Ghengis Khan’s messengers who had come in peace with great gifts and offerings. The Khan declared war, seized the enemy’s capital and had Inalchik killed quote “by having molten silver poured into his eyes and ears.” Later Ghengis Khan seized Samarkand, bringing his brutal conquest of Muhammad’s vast empire to an end. What would’ve become of Adolf Hitler had he been given the chance of becoming an artist? Perhaps history would be very different. Avoid insulting others, you do not know who you’re dealing with… even though we live in a time where everyone is offended and the level of political correctness borders on absolute madness.”
