The 48 Laws of Power Flashcards
Robert Greene
What is the most destructive emotional response?
Anger
Law #1: Never Outshine the Master
- Give a description
- Give an example(s)
- What is the fatal flaw with this Law?
- When does this law break?
- Everyone has insecurities. When you show all of your talents, this tends to invoke fear & insecurity in those around you. Those in power want to feel secure in their position. Make them look good at all times.
- Nicolas Fouquet threw King Louis XIV a party that outdid anything King Louis had done. This made King Louis jealous, and he has Fouquet arrested.
- Galileo discovered that when he tied his scientific discoveries to the arrogance of the Medici family, they quickly promoted him. By providing superior’s with evidence of their brilliance, Galileo got everything he wanted.
- Never think you can get away with anything because the Master loves you. This can change very quickly.
- If your master is a falling star, there is nothing to worry about when outshining him. If he is weak, discreetly hasten his downfall. If he’s very weak & ready to fall, let nature take it’s course on it’s own.
Law #2: Never Put Too Much Trust in Friends, Lease How to Use Enemies
- Describe this Law
- Why does working with friends not work
- What is an example?
- What is Abe Lincoln’s relevant quote?
- Be wary of friends, they will betray you more quickly than enemies, for they are easily aroused to envy.
- Working with a friend confuses boundaries and distances that working requires, this is the reason it doesn’t work.
- Henry Kissinger made friends with his previous kidnappers, and it was a friendship that lasted
- “You destroy an enemy when you make a friend of him” - Abe Lincoln, a quote Lincoln used when accused of being too “nice” to the South.
Law #3: Conceal Your Intentions
- Describe this Law
- Give an example
- What is the fatal flaw with this Law?
- What is a red herring & a decoy?
- People tend to accept whatever reality presents to them. Most people are also open books, but never share your true intentions. It takes effort to retain from sharing your true feelings. Instead, get them off course of your desires by using decoys & red herrings. If people don’t know what you’re up too, they cannot prepare a defense.
- Marquis de Sevigne openly shared his desire to court an attractive women. It wasn’t until he began ignoring her, making her jealous with other women, etc. that she began to show interest in Marquis.
- Being honest is the fatal flaw. Your honestly is likely to offend. Instead tell people what they want to hear.
- Red Herring: Appear to support a cause that is actually contrary to your personal beliefs. Most people will believe you have experienced a change of heart, since most value their opinions so dearly.
Decoy: Appear to want something that you really do not desire. Talk endlessly about your decoy, for not talking about it may stir up suspicious of ulterior motives.
Law #4: Always Say Less Than Necessary
- Describe this Law & when it is not applicable
- Give an example(s)
- The less you say, the more powerful you appear. By saying less, you are less likely to say something stupid which can be held against you.
- It is not applicable when you are a subordinate trying to appear more unsophisticated than you truly are. Silence can lead superiors to believe you are insecure or suspicious. This Law works best for those with some level of power.
- King XIV would only say a few words after hearing advice from nobles. People would hand on every word, gestures, etc. of the King’s to try to gauge his sentiment.
- Andy Worhol let people talk about his work more than he did. This, in turn, made his word more important.
Law #5: So Much Depends On Reputation– Guard It With Your Life
- Describe this law
- Give two (2) examples
Reputation is everything.
Law #6: Court Attention At All Costs
Describe.
Stand out anyway you can, do not blend into the crowd.
Law #7: Get Others To Do The Work For You, But Always Take The Credit
Law #8: Make Others Come To You
Describe.
When you force the action of others, you are in control.
Law #9: Win Through Your Actions, Never Through Argument
Arguing gets you nowhere.
Law #11: Learn To Keep People Dependent On You
The more you are relied on, the more freedom you have.
Law #12: Use Selective Honesty And Generosity To Disarm Your Victim
Law #13: When Asking For Help, Appeal To People’s Self-Interest, Never To Their Mercy Or Gratitude
Determine what’s in it for them.
Law #14: Pose As A Friend, Work As A Spy
Keep your enemies closer than your friends.
Law #16: Use Absence To Increase Respect And Honor
