48 Laws of Power

The 48 Laws of Power

by Robert Greene and Joost Elffers

Law 1

Never Outshine the Master

Always make those above you feel comfortably superior. In your desire to please or impress

them, do not go too far in displaying your talents or you might accomplish the opposite – inspire

fear and insecurity. Make your masters appear more brilliant than they are and you will attain

the heights of power.

Law 2

Never put too Much Trust in Friends, Learn how to use Enemies

Be wary of friends-they will betray you more quickly, for they are easily aroused to envy. They

also become spoiled and tyrannical. But hire a former enemy and he will be more loyal than a

friend, because he has more to prove. In fact, you have more to fear from friends than from

enemies. If you have no enemies, find a way to make them.

Law 3

Conceal your Intentions

Keep people off-balance and in the dark by never revealing the purpose behind your actions. If

they have no clue what you are up to, they cannot prepare a defense. Guide them far enough

down the wrong path, envelope them in enough smoke, and by the time they realize your

intentions, it will be too late.

Law 4

Always Say Less than Necessary

When you are trying to impress people with words, the more you say, the more common you

appear, and the less in control. Even if you are saying something banal, it will seem original if

you make it vague, open-ended, and sphinxlike. Powerful people impress and intimidate by

saying less. The more you say, the more likely you are to say something foolish.

Law 5

So Much Depends on Reputation – Guard it with your Life

Reputation is the cornerstone of power. Through reputation alone you can intimidate and win;

once you slip, however, you are vulnerable, and will be attacked on all sides. Make your

reputation unassailable. Always be alert to potential attacks and thwart them before they

happen. Meanwhile, learn to destroy your enemies by opening holes in their own reputations.

Then stand aside and let public opinion...