The 48 Laws of Power Greene en 8526
The 48 Laws of Power Greene en 8526
The 48 Laws of Power Greene en 8526
10
Applicable
Innovative
This book is amoral, hauntingly true and indispensable. It should be on the bookshelf of anyone
who aspires to any level of success in any organization or profession. It should not gather dust but
should be read regularly, according to a plan - one law a day, for example, absorbed slowly and
contemplated deeply. Author Robert Greene draws on a rich variety of sources including books so
threatening that they were banned by the ancient Chinese. He cites the memoirs of Machiavelli,
various con men and many others who swept aside what ought to be in order to focus on what is.
It might seem that anyone who follows all of these laws in their rich, narrative detail will turn out
to be a very unpleasant person. That’s probably not true. getAbstract suspects, in contrast, that
the person who masters the laws of power will be extremely pleasant, with winning ways and a
knack for likeability, yet awe-inspiring and in control - though not always obviously so. Doesn’t
that sound tempting?
Take-Aways
• Always look good, always be stylish.
• Never trust anyone - enemies are more reliable than friends.
• Make everything seem easy.
• Draw attention to yourself.
• Use the weaknesses and pain points of others to control them.
• Plan thoroughly and never overreach your plan.
• Do not force people to do your will; seduce and induce them.
• Speak as little as possible because speaking too much is dangerous.
• Keep yourself at some distance to inspire respect.
• Play dumb, because if people think they are smarter than you they will make blunders.
www.getabstract.com
The need for power is so fundamental, so essentially human, that when you feel you have no
power over people or events, you are likely to be depressed.
People who pretend to have no aspirations to power are either deceiving themselves or attempting
to deceive others. Everyone wants power. The more they get, the more they want.
Power is like a drug, but it does not weaken you. On the contrary, it makes you stronger.
Yet, it is considered somewhat impolite and vulgar, almost an outrage, to seek power forthrightly.
Those who want power must seem to have no interest in it. Indeed, they must pretend to care only
about others.
The person who best projects an image of not caring for power will become the most powerful. It is
paradoxical and, perhaps, unhealthy but you cannot honestly and straightforwardly pursue power.
You must disguise your means and ends.
This does not mean lying. Indeed, it is wrong to lie, not because lying is immoral, although
according to moral codes it is, but rather because the risk of being exposed is too great. Power
depends on trust. The known liar loses trust and, therefore, loses power.
“What happens first always appears better and more original than what comes after.”
Duplicity is another matter. These laws may seem scandalously frank, but you can apply them
without violating any of the strictures of public morality.
The Laws
1. Never eclipse your superiors – Always reinforce their comfortable sense of superiority.
They are probably acutely aware of their defects and incompetence, and alert to any threat from
below. If you make them look bad, they will crush you, stymie you and make you miserable.
Prove your usefulness. Never outshine them.
2. Do not trust allies, but understand the utility of enemies – Friends will betray you out
of envy. They have a regrettable tendency to expect too much of you because of your friendship
and to become demanding nuisances. Don't hire or appoint friends. Hire enemies. The enemy
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