The 48 Laws of Power Flashcards
Law 1: Outshine
Never outshine the master
Law 2: Trust
Never put too much trust in friends, learn how to use enemies
Law 3: Intentions
Conceal your intentions
Law 4: Say
Always say less than necessary
Law 5: So Much Depends On…
So much depends on reputation - Guard it with your life
Law 6: Court
Court attention at all cost
Law 7: Get Others
Get others to do the work for you, but always take the credit
Law 8: Make Other People…
Make other people come to you - use bait if necessary
Law 9: Actions
Win through your actions, never through argument
Law 10: Infection:
Infection: Avoid the unhappy and unlucky
Law 11: Dependent
Learn how to keep people dependent on you
Law 12: Honesty and Generosity
Use selective honesty and generosity to disarm your victim
Law 13: Help
When asking for help, appeal to people’s self-interest, never to their mercy or gratitude
Law 14: Pose
Pose as a friend, work as a spy
Law 15: Crush
Crush your enemy totally
Law 16: Absence
Use absence to increase respect and honour
Law 17: Terror
Keep others in suspended terror: Cultivate an air of unpredictability
Law 18: Fortresses
Do not build fortresses to protect yourself - isolation is dangerous
Law 19: Offend
Know who you’re dealing with - do not offend the wrong person