We would quote the bible or pull out random statistics or pretend to be acting on someone else’s authority. Everyone knows that in the heat of argument, we will say anything to support our case. It is much more powerful to get others to agree with you through your actions, without saying a word. Law 9: Win through your actions, never through argument It takes years to build your reputation, but it can be ruined in seconds. Then stand aside and let public opinion hang them. Meanwhile, learn to destroy your enemies by opening holes in their own reputations. Always be alert to potential attacks and thwart them before they happen. Through reputation alone you can intimidate and win once it slips, however, you are vulnerable, and will be attacked on all sides. Law 5– So much depends on reputation – guard it with your life Commit harmless mistakes that will not hurt you in the long run, but will give you the chance to ask for help. If you are more intelligent than your master, make him appear more intelligent than you. Overt flattery can be effective but has its limits it is too direct and obvious and looks bad to other courtiers. You must flatter and puff up your master. You can simply outshine a master by being yourself. When it comes to power, outshining the master is the worst mistake of all. With those above you, however, you must take a different approach. You cannot spend your life worrying about the petty feelings of others. When you show yourself in the world and display your talents, you naturally stir up all kinds of resentment, envy, and other manifestations of insecurity. Make your masters appear more brilliant than they are and you will attain the heights of power. In your desire to please and impress them, do not go too far in displaying your talents or you might accomplish the opposite – inspire fear and insecurity. You can read this book to best suit you: you can use it to help you in situations when you have less power, it can help you get more power, or it can help you use your power on others.Īlways make those above you feel comfortably superior. No one wants less power – everyone wants more. The feeling of having no power over people and events is generally unbearable to us – when we feel helpless we feel miserable. Be that in your work, business, romance, friendships, family, or otherwise, this book will show you’re the ‘dos and don’ts’. In every single interaction, one individual will have more power and more status, and the other will have less. It strains constantly to break out of its cage, and if it is not tamed, it will tun wild and cause you grief. “ T he human tongue is a beast that few can master. Join the What You Will Learn Book Club here and get a hard copy of the 48 Laws of Power posted to your doorstep: Grab a copy of the book here: “Appearing better than others is always dangerous, but most dangerous of all is to appear to have no faults or weaknesses”. “Uncover something in your request, or in your alliance, that will benefit them, and emphasize it out of all proportion”. Law 13 – When asking for help, appeal to people’s self-interest, never to their mercy or gratitude. “Any momentary triumph you think you have gained through argument is really a Pyrrhic victory: the resentment and ill will you stir up in stronger than any momentary change of opinion”. Law 9 – Win through your actions, never through argument. “ The more you say, the more common you appear, and the less in control… Powerful people impress and intimidate by saying less”. In your desire to please or impress them, do not go too far in displaying your talents or you might accomplish the opposite”. “Always make those above your feel comfortably secure. This is a powerful book with powerful laws – ignore them at your peril. You can read this book to best suit you: you can use it to help you in situations when you have less power, it can help you get more power, or it can help you use your power on others.Take a read of 48 Laws of Power In every single interaction, one individual will have more power and more status, and the other will have less.īe that in your work, business, romance, friendships, family, or otherwise, this book will show you’re the ‘dos and dont’s’. This is an absolute bible for socially and politically navigating the world of relationships. “Do not leave your reputation to chance or gossip it is your life’s artwork, and you must craft it, hone it, and display it with the care of an artist.”