The 48 Laws of Power | The secret methods to getting what you want: By Robert Greene
INTRODUCTION
What can I gain from it? Uncover the fascinating past, hidden knowledge, and mechanics of influence. Whether we approve of it or not, humans are inherently part of an ongoing competition known as the game of power.
This game has persisted since ancient times, and whether we are aware or unaware, each of us is a participant. Occasionally, the game is over and filled with bloodshed, but more often, it takes on a subtler nature, occurring in the shadows.
The crucial question is: Are you familiar with the rules and actively striving for victory? Some individuals opt to ignore the game, deluding themselves into believing that they can break free from it.
Alternatively, they may protest that the game is immoral and antisocial, believing it to be a relic of less ethical and democratic eras. Unfortunately, these players often find themselves dominated by those who embrace and excel at the game.
On the other hand, some individuals naturally possess the abilities of domineering bullies on the playground or charismatic business tycoons. They seem to effortlessly assert their dominance. However, the game is not inherently rigged in their favor. Their skills can be acquired and perfected by anyone who dedicates themselves to understanding and excelling at the game.
In his book, "The 48 Laws of Power," Robert Greene delineates the rules of this game by employing historical examples from various civilizations throughout the course of three millennia.
By distilling the wisdom of master manipulators, Greene equips readers with the knowledge to outmaneuver their opponents and become adept players themselves - modern-day Machiavelli.
We will provide you with a sneak peek, an initial introduction, to the realm of power by condensing 12 of “the 48 laws” from the book. Of course, we would not want to reveal all the secrets at once, would we?
Discover how a novice's error can pave the way to a significant victory. Learn the intriguing story of a finance minister who faced imprisonment for organizing an extravagant event for his monarch. Uncover the surprising strategy of occasionally achieving success in a conflict by yielding.
Key 1: Avoid surpassing the expertise of your superior
Have you ever experienced the unintended consequences of attempting to impress your boss? It's possible that you unknowingly violated the first law of power: never outshining the master, as stated by Greene.
This law emphasizes the importance of appearing humble in the presence of our superiors, as those in positions of power desire to be the center of attention.
By trying too hard to impress them, we risk diverting attention away from them and potentially damaging their pride in the process. However, what's even more detrimental is behaving in a superior manner towards our superiors, as this can lead them to view us as a threat to their authority.
In such cases, they may take action to remove us from our position entirely. Consider the relationship between King Louis XIV of France and his finance minister, Nicolas Fouquet. Fouquet was a smart and loyal advisor, who became indispensable to the king. However, when the position of prime minister became vacant, Fouquet's previous contributions did not guarantee his appointment.
To win favor and demonstrate his influence, he organized an extravagant party at his lavishly furnished chateau. Unfortunately, instead of impressing the king, Fouquet's actions overshadowed Louis XIV, leading the king to accuse the minister of embezzlement due to his extravagant lifestyle.
The truth of the accusation was irrelevant, and Fouquet was sentenced to imprisonment, spending the rest of his days in a cell. So now we understand that acts of extravagance and displays of personal brilliance may not impress our superiors. They can have the opposite effect.
A more effective strategy is to always strive to make those in power look better than anyone else, including ourselves. Take the example of Galileo Galilei, who faced the challenge of securing funding for his research.
After years of approaching various patrons and receiving gifts rather than much-needed financial support, he decided to focus his efforts on one family: the Medicis. In 1610, Galileo discovered the four moons of Jupiter. Knowing that Cosimo II de' Medici had established Jupiter as a symbol for the Medici dynasty, Galileo cleverly connected his discovery to the ascendance of Cosimo II.
He proclaimed it as a celestial occurrence that symbolized the greatness of the Medici family, stating that the four moons represented Cosimo II and his three brothers, while Jupiter itself represented Cosimo I, their father.
This flattered and boosted the ego of his patron, who interpreted the discovery as a cosmic sign confirming the family's grandeur.
By making the Medicis appear glorious and aligning their name with the cosmos, Galileo secured a salaried position as the official philosopher and mathematician of Cosimo II.
This ensured he would never again have to beg for funding. In summary, the key is to never outshine our superiors and instead focus on making them look better than anyone else.
This can lead to favorable outcomes and opportunities for advancement.
Key 2: Claim recognition for the accomplishments of others and safeguard your achievements
Have you ever contemplated taking credit for snippets of someone else's work by engaging in plagiarism?
Or perhaps you've discreetly copied answers from a classmate during a math test.
While these actions may or may not resonate with you, the truth is that attaining power often involves leveraging the work of others to your advantage. Why exhaust your energy when someone else can do the work for you? Consider the collaboration between Serbian scientist Nikola Tesla and renowned inventor Thomas Edison.
It was Tesla, not Edison, who made significant improvements to Edison's primitive design and played a pivotal role in the creation of Edison's renowned dynamo. Tesla dedicated countless hours, often working 18-hour days for an entire year, to achieve this breakthrough. However, history attributes the invention solely to Edison. Little has changed since then.
Many politicians rely on speechwriters, and esteemed novelists often draw inspiration or borrow ideas from other writers. However, merely reaping the benefits of others' work is not enough; you must also claim credit for it. In the case of Edison and Tesla, Edison and his company took all the credit for Tesla's advancements in the dynamo.
Tesla did not receive a share of the profits, despite Edison's promise to compensate him with $50,000. Therefore, it is crucial to remember Tesla's experience and acknowledge that the recognition given for an invention or creation is just as significant as the invention itself.
If you fail to claim credit, someone else may seize the opportunity, steal your idea, and garner all the praise that accompanies it.
Key 3: Acquiring influence over someone involves familiarizing yourself with them and appearing as their friend
Have you ever faced the challenge of trying to outmaneuver your competitors but struggled to accurately predict their strategies?
If so, there's a solution. Another tactic for attaining power is to gather crucial information about the individuals you seek to control. Knowing the plans, weaknesses, and desires of others can help you not only gain their favor but also guide their actions. Consider the case of art dealer Joseph Duveen who, in 1920, set out to win the patronage of industrialist Andrew Mellon.
Yet, Mellon proved challenging to persuade. Determined, Duveen resorted to bribing Mellon's staff to obtain confidential information about their employer. When Mellon traveled to London, Duveen coincidentally appeared at the same art gallery Mellon was visiting.
Engaging him in animated conversation, Duveen effortlessly gained Mellon's favor by showcasing his knowledge of Mellon's preferences. This created the impression of shared interests, particularly in art, and the encounter concluded positively. As a result, Mellon became Duveen's most valuable client. So, how can you employ Duveen's approach?
One option is to hire informants, but relying on hired spies can be risky as the honesty and accuracy of their information may be doubtful.
To ensure precise information, it is best to take on the role of a spy yourself. However, this task is not without difficulties, as people are generally guarded when divulging personal details to strangers. On the other hand, individuals tend to be less secretive in the company of those they perceive as friends.
Therefore, posing as a companion can be a highly effective strategy, allowing you to gather information to your advantage.
Key 4: Create confusion among your competitors by behaving unpredictably
It is a well-known fact that most people dislike unexpected changes. However, did you know that you can benefit from using unpredictability to gain a competitive edge?
Acting unpredictably can throw off your competition and give you an advantage. Here's how it works.
In competitive situations, your adversaries will make every effort to analyze your patterns and decision-making, using that knowledge against you. To counter this, your best strategy is to act erratically.
By being unpredictable, you safeguard yourself from being deciphered by your opponents, which in turn intimidates and unsettles them.
Take, for instance, the famous 1972 chess match between Bobby Fischer and the Russian champion Boris Spassky. Fischer understood that Spassky's tactic was to exploit the routines and predictability of his opponents, so Fischer cleverly utilized this knowledge.
He made it unclear whether he would even make it to Reykjavik, where the match was scheduled to take place. Moreover, he arrived just in time to prevent the cancellation of the match due to his absence.
Fischer then proceeded to complain about various aspects of the environment, from the lighting to the chairs and noise in the room.
When the match finally began, Fischer intentionally made careless mistakes, something uncharacteristic of his usual persistent style of play. Spassky couldn't determine whether these mistakes were genuine or mere bluffs.
This confusion was exactly what Fischer desired, as it put Spassky in a vulnerable position. When your opponent is sufficiently puzzled, you have the perfect opportunity to secure victory.
When you engage in behavior that baffles your rival, they will be preoccupied with trying to decipher your actions, thus diverting their attention from the main task at hand. This gives you the chance to make a decisive move.
And so it happened that after two games of chess, Fischer started winning one game after another with daring and unexpected moves. Eventually, Spassky conceded, and Fischer was crowned the world champion.
Key 5: Giving up to a stronger opponent can be a wise act that gives you future power
Have you ever faced someone you knew you would never defeat?
It is not the path to power, even though it is typical for people to strive for glory against all obstacles.
Therefore, how should you respond to a stronger adversary? Resign yourself. Given that people naturally defend themselves by fighting their enemies, this tactic can appear strange.
However, if your rival behaves aggressively, he will anticipate an aggressive response from you. Your wisest course of action is to give up if you are aware that the opposition has you beaten. Why?
You can guarantee that your opponent won't deal significant damage if you surrender, or at least persuade him that you have.
Furthermore, your opponent will likewise let his guard down, believing he has won. You'll have a window of time to gather your strength and decide what to do next when he does.
Consider the story of revolutionary communist playwright Bertolt Brecht, who came to the United States in 1941 to join other intellectuals banished from Europe.
Following the Second World War, the US Congress called Brecht and his colleagues before it to look into a rumored communist takeover of Hollywood.
While his fellow radicals were yelling and being obstructive, creating a ruckus and challenging Congress's authority, Brecht remained composed and courteously answered questions.
The government released Brecht for good behavior and even offered to assist him with his immigration process.
Their offer ultimately proved fruitless, as he fled the nation and carried on writing about his unwavering communist convictions. And his unyielding allies?
They were banned and couldn't be published for a long time! Therefore, follow Brecht's lead and use surrender as a strategy for empowerment. Invest in long-term strength instead of sacrificing a great deal for a fleeting moment of fame.
Key 6: You must behave like a superior if you want to be treated that way
Are you at the top of the ladder compared to others? If so, you have no choice but to play the part—unless, of course, you would rather be taken seriously on par with them.
However, a word of caution: seeming to be on par with others while in a position of authority can only breed mistrust.
Consider Louis-Philippe, the 1830s and 1840s French king. He hated all the symbolism connected to the throne and royal festivities.
He was notorious for carrying an umbrella in place of his crown and scepter and for dressing in a gray hat, defying the formalities expected of his position. Not only did he avoid the company of aristocracy, but he largely made friends with bankers.
However, the king's actions did not help him; shortly, the rich and the poor came to despise him.
The impoverished hated a monarch who behaved like them but didn't watch out for them, while the wealthy detested the unexpected ruler.
When they realized they could insult him without facing consequences, even his banker pals turned against him. The people turned against him as a result of all this animosity, and he was eventually compelled to abdicate the throne.
People are generally wary of superiors who behave as though they are on par with them; if you seem modest, others will feel you are dishonest and will see it as a cunning ploy to obscure your privileges.
So what strategy is superior? To be treated like a king or queen, you should, instead, employ the crown strategy. It's as simple as this: if you behave like you're better than other people and think you are, then other people will start to think the same. They will believe that your actions are justified.
Because of the way he conducted himself, most people thought of Christopher Columbus as a monarch. Ultimately, he persuaded the Spanish throne to fund his travels through his self-assured courtship with the Spanish royal family.
Key 7: For gaining control over others, seduction is more effective than force
Imagine yourself as Shu's chief strategist, Chuko Liang, from the ancient Chinese state of Shu. King Menghuo just launched a war on China from the south; it is up to you to stop him and preserve the nation.
However, it's crucial to understand what you shouldn't do before understanding what you should do. First of all, even when it's the simplest option, utilizing force and coercive tactics is never a good idea.
People will hate you in secret if you utilize your might because force creates resistance. Even though Liang might have easily crushed the invading army, he refrained from attacking knowing this. But if he had, Liang and China would have been hated by Menghuo, and the nation would have had to defend itself all the time.
Everyone would have been worn out and paranoid as a result of this. That would be better as seduction. People's emotions tend to influence them, therefore you can use this to your advantage and force them to act against their will.
This can be achieved by threatening to hurt your opponent so they anticipate it and then unexpectedly showing them kindness.
Liang captured Menghuo along with his entire army when he attacked China. Menghuo's men were parted from him.
He was bracing himself for catastrophe. To his utter amazement, however, he was instead served delectable food and wine.
While Liang freed his adversary's warriors, he said that Menghuo would only be allowed to leave if the enemy king pledged to submit to the Chinese monarch if he was ever arrested again.
Even though Liang managed to catch Menghuo multiple times, he consistently released him. Then, after being captured seven times, Menghuo fell at Liang's feet and gave up his empire. Liang's antagonist was well aware that he could kill Menghuo, yet despite this, he gave Menghuo numerous opportunities and treated him well each time.
Menghuo consequently became more and more appreciative of and obliged to the Chinese ruler, until he ultimately gave up on his initiative.
Key 8: Avoid your friends and work with your foes in your pursuit of power
It makes sense that you would want to enlist the help of your pals if you find yourself in a precarious business scenario. Who better, after all, than a sympathetic friend, to ease the pain of a business ordeal?
Anyone can do it. Relying too much on your buddies is a big mistake. The explanation is straightforward: your friends would probably compare themselves to you and feel jealous of what you have.
The best course of action is to put some distance between you and them because of this.
The closest associates of Chinese emperors, many of whom they had chosen as generals, would routinely kill them. Recognizing this dangerous possibility, Emperor Sung used a different strategy.
In 959, he deftly called his generals, who were all his buddies, to a banquet. When he arrived, he presented them with wealth and properties, which made them all move into palaces.
Sung went on to rule for another 16 years, which at the time was an unprecedented achievement.
However, if you alienate your buddies, who are you meant to collaborate with? As strange as it may sound, the ideal course of action is to work together with your adversaries to increase your power.
Talleyrand, the French foreign minister, saw in 1807 that Napoleon's power over the empire was waning. Talleyrand attempted to remove him in light of this. But he required a serious collaborator to carry out such a risky idea.
Ultimately, he discovered the ideal candidate in Joseph Fouché, the head of the secret police, who had long been Talleyrand's political opponent and the main competitor for Napoleon's favor.
However, the partnership succeeded because both men thought Napoleon was losing and that France required a new leader.
Thus, as Talleyrand undermined Napoleon’s diplomatic efforts with Russia, Fouché collaborated with the English to further erode the Emperor's authority.
After Napoleon was eventually deposed, Talleyrand became a prominent minister in the new government, while Fouché also lost authority.
Key 9: Instead of arguing with people, persuade them with artistic activity
Have you ever engaged in an intense argument with someone that lasted long into the night before the other party reluctantly gave in?
Even the most obstinate among us can easily regard these kinds of things as successes, although the reality is far different.
Attempting to persuade people by argumentation is a complete waste of time and, in certain cases, even harmful, particularly if they are influential.
The Greek town of Pergamus was under the campaign of Roman consul Mucianus in 131 BC. He needed to transform a large ship mast into a battering ram to destroy the city walls.
Still, the engineer given the assignment realized that a shorter mast would be more effective. He persuaded the soldiers to bring the consul the smaller of the two, arguing his position.
The smaller mast would have functioned better, and he was correct. That didn't matter, though. For his trouble, the engineer was stripped naked and given the death penalty by whipping.
Stated differently, simply being correct and telling others as much doesn't cut it. Using devious behavior to persuade people is a better strategy. Often, if you give it some thought, you can figure out a strategy that will make sure your concept wins out while giving the impression that you support your opponent.
Westminster formerly commissioned a renowned British architect of the seventeenth century, Sir Christopher Wren, to create a town hall. He wasn't, however, left on his own.
The mayor of Westminster insisted on adding two additional supporting columns because he was afraid the building would collapse and ruin his first-floor office. Wren was aware that the mayor's worries were unfounded.
But he did not say anything; he just constructed the two columns. Many years later, the columns ceased just before they met the ceiling, as discovered by builders operating on a tall scaffold.
They were doing no action at all to support the structure. The fairly wily Wren had ensured that his argument was proved while averting a pointless debate. Eventually, the pillars were taken down.
Key 10: Rely on someone else's self-interest rather than their good intentions when asking for assistance
Asking for assistance from others is necessary if you want to succeed in assuming authority because it's not an easy undertaking. However, the question you pose matters. After all, you may just ask folks to help you out of pure kindness. However, that would be incorrect.
There was an Italian prince in the town of Lucca in the fourteenth century. With the backing of the Poggios, a wealthy family, this prince rose to fame. But after he gained authority, he put the family completely out of his mind and focused only on himself.
This infuriated the Poggios, who then started plotting to remove the prince with the help of other families.
However, Stefano, one of the Poggio family members, suggested that diplomatic measures ought to be used first. Stefano approached the prince, explaining the impending uprising and requesting that he take into account the kindness shown to him by the Poggios.
After learning of this, the prince welcomed the Poggio family to his palace.
Rather than repenting and treating the family fairly, he had Stefano and the others put in jail and beheaded.
Put simply, it rarely works to ask others to do the right thing. Instead, appeal to their self-interest. However, this can be challenging because most people are unable to look above their self-interest and consider other people's self-interest! Portuguese emissaries to Japan in the sixteenth century made a valiant effort to build rapport and win the Japanese over to Christianity.
The strategy didn't work. The Portuguese were too preoccupied with advancing their religious agenda to recognize the genuine interests of the Japanese, not because they were hesitant to pander to the Japanese's self-interest.
On the other hand, a hundred years later, the Dutch were astute enough to identify these interests when they arrived in Japan.
They discovered that the Dutch could provide the trade agreements the Japanese wanted, which would give them access to the European market.
Tokugawa Ieyasu, the Japanese emperor, chose to forge alliances with the Dutch and abandoned the Portuguese as a result.
Key 11: Being too accessible will make you unlikable; the secret to being desirable is to keep your distance
Almost everyone who has tried dating has experienced some level of frustration due to human nature. When it comes to love, there's only one simple rule: if your partner answers your calls, you get bored right away; if they don't, you become incredibly lustful.
But it's not limited to romantic relationships. It's yet another fundamental power law. Though it may seem obvious, the truth is that people will become disinterested in you if you are very approachable.
Those who opposed rulers and anyone in a position of excessive power lived in Medea, a city in modern-day Iran, around the ninth century BC. But in the absence of a ruler, anarchy was all but certain.
A man by the name of Deioces stood up in this clamor, offering to mediate and settle disagreements between opposing sides.
He was good at this, and he was well-liked and admired for his job. But as he persisted in mediating and arbitrating disputes, eventually people started to take his labor for granted.
Moreover, they had no intention of granting him additional authority because they were hostile to the notion of a strong dictator.
Deioces was not utilizing a fundamental law of power, which is that being attractive requires being unavailable. Ultimately, people only realize your worth when you are no longer around.
Eventually, Deioces came to this realization and understood that retirement was the only way he could get the credit he deserved. He then relocated to the country, leaving Medea in its previous state of anarchy.
The Medeans immediately came to his door, pleading with him to come back and govern them. He consented, but only under one condition: a massive palace with many of bodyguards should be built for him. Once everyone agreed, he governed the region for 53 years.
Key 12: Surround yourself with people who are important to you rather than isolating yourself out of fear
It makes sense for people to look for safety when they are surrounded by people, some of whom are clear foes. Constructing a stronghold to seek refuge in during such circumstances may seem like the ideal answer.
However, this kind of self-isolation is detrimental since it keeps you from gaining access to authority and influence.
Anyone caught glancing even a glimpse of the emperor would face swift execution. The emperor took one last precaution and only traveled alone, dressing carefully to avoid being recognized.
He passed away during one of these excursions, was forgotten by his court, cut off from his friends, and alienated from his family.
The solution is not isolation. Rather, you must surround yourself with those who are essential to your power. Perhaps no one contrasts “Ch'i Shih Huang Ti” more than no one contrasts Louis XIV, who crammed his Versailles mansion with courtiers obligated to attend social gatherings in his room daily. Since they were no longer able to rule and profit from vast lands without the king's permission, the nobility had been in rebellion against the monarch's increasing authority.
Naturally, the aristocrats were unhappy with these modifications. Louis put an end to the insurrection by keeping the same noblemen under close supervision in his rooms, where he could employ his cunning and skillful bestowal of privileges. His courtiers fought for his favor and consideration.
FINAL SUMMARY
There is always and has always been, a power struggle going on. The game cannot be avoided, but you can attempt to ignore it. Learning the rules and playing to the best of your ability is therefore your best option. The world has historically been governed by conquest and power.
The contemporary era has seen many changes, of course, but the significance of power and control has not. You too can become a formidable opponent in the struggle for dominance by taking lessons from the successes and setbacks of past power clashes.