Robert Greene’s ‘The 48 Laws of Power’ will probably go down in history as one of the most important books on power and politics since Machiavelli’s ‘Il Principe’.
48 Laws, for someone who has only read the book once, or never at all, are difficult to remember and internalize. The aim of this post is to provide people who have read the book once, twice or not at all with the five most important Laws of Power. As well as taking into account these five ‘Laws’, I strongly suggest reading the full book at least three or four times a year to help you internalize the laws.
Law One – 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.
This law is one of the most important because the concept of outshining the master leads to people feeling threatened and when they feel threatened, they may behave rashly or in a way that will damage and compromise you. The best strategy as the apprentice or the underling is to do things better than those above you, but to be quiet about doing so. In keeping silent, you hold many more cards than you think you do. The strategy of keeping quiet connects to the next Law.
The last sentence, in regards to making people feel more brilliant than they are is to be used with caution. The most narcissistic people in society are blind to some of the brown-nosing that goes on, but the more in tune and Machiavellian among us will instantly feel that any attempt to make one feel better than they are has an ulterior motive.
Law Four – 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 sphinx like. Powerful people impress and intimidate by saying less. The more you say, the more likely you are to say something foolish.
This is fairly obvious: The more you say the more you expose your intentions.
People are impressed with actions and not words.
The more you say, the more you slip up.
The extension of this Law is to keep as many people out of the loop as possible. When only a few people know what’s going on, the easier it is to identify anyone leaking information and the less likely it is for someone to try and compromise your plans.
Law Twenty Nine – Plan All the Way to the End
The ending is everything. Plan all the way to it, taking into account all the possible consequences, obstacles, and twists of fortune that might reverse your hard work and give the glory to others. By planning to the end you will not be overwhelmed by circumstances and you will know when to stop. Gently guide fortune and help determine the future by thinking far ahead.
You must always have the ends in your sights and know what exactly you want.
In not knowing what you want, you inevitably expose yourself to circumstance and the behaviour of others. Knowing what you want allows you to take these possibilities into account.
It’s always good to have a plan. Most people these days don’t have one. They’re on cruise control with no idea what junction to exit on.
Law Thirty Three – Discover Each Man’s Thumbscrew
Everyone has a weakness, a gap in the castle wall. That weakness is usual y an insecurity, an uncontrollable emotion or need; it can also be a small secret pleasure. Either way, once found, it is a thumbscrew you can turn to your advantage.
This is self explanatory. When you find the weakness of the victim, you should seek to become the supplier of the weakness. Whether it’s sex, drugs, money, attention, insecurities, these can all be controlled and taken advantage of by you.
Law Forty Eight – Assume Formlessness
By taking a shape, by having a visible plan, you open yourself to attack. Instead of taking a form for your enemy to grasp, keep yourself adaptable and on the move. Accept the fact that nothing is certain and no law is fixed. The best way to protect yourself is to be as fluid and formless as water; never bet on stability or lasting order. Everything changes.
This may well be the most important of all the Laws.
Adaptability is key. Those who cannot adapt are left behind. In survival terms, they are the extinct species of the past.
Unpredictability is key. Predictable people are much more open to attack and destruction than those who have an element of surprise about them. Be willing to change at a moment’s notice.
Five Other Important Laws
Law Three – Conceal Your Intentions
Law Nineteen – Know Who You’re Dealing with – Do Not Offend the Wrong Person
Law Twenty One – Play a Sucker to Catch a Sucker – Seem Dumber than your Mark
Law Thirty Five – Master The Art of Timing
Law Thirty Eight – Think as You but Behave like others