48 Laws of Power

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  • LAW 1: NEVER OUTSHINE THE MASTER
  • LAW 2: NEVER PUT TOO MUCH TRUST IN FRIENDS, LEARN HOW TO USE ENEMIES
  • LAW 3: CONCEAL YOUR INTENTIONS
  • LAW 4: ALWAYS SAY LESS THAN NECESSARY
  • LAW 5: SO MUCH DEPENDS ON REPUTATION—GUARD IT WITH YOUR LIFE
  • LAW 6: COURT ATTENTION AT ALL COST
  • LAW 7: GET OTHERS TO DO THE WORK FOR YOU, BUT ALWAYS TAKE THE CREDIT
  • LAW 8: MAKE OTHER PEOPLE COME TO YOU—USE BAIT IF NECESSARY
  • LAW 9: WIN THROUGH YOUR ACTIONS, NEVER THROUGH ARGUMENT
  • LAW 10: INFECTION: AVOID THE UNHAPPY AND UNLUCKY
  • LAW 11: LEARN TO KEEP PEOPLE DEPENDENT ON YOU
  • LAW 12: USE SELECTIVE HONESTY AND GENEROSITY TO DISARM YOUR VICTIM
  • LAW 13: WHEN ASKING FOR HELP, APPEAL TO PEOPLE’S SELF-INTEREST, NEVER TO THEIR MERCY OR GRATITUDE
  • LAW 14: POSE AS A FRIEND, WORK AS A SPY
  • LAW 15: CRUSH YOUR ENEMY TOTALLY
  • LAW 16: USE ABSENCE TO INCREASE RESPECT AND HONOUR
  • LAW 17: KEEP OTHERS IN SUSPENDED TERROR: CULTIVATE AN AIR OF UNPREDICTABILITY
  • LAW 18: DO NOT BUILD FORTRESSES TO PROTECT YOURSELF—ISOLATION IS DANGEROUS
  • LAW 19: KNOW WHO YOU’RE DEALING WITH—DO NOT OFFEND THE WRONG PERSON
  • LAW 20: DO NOT COMMIT TO ANYONE
  • LAW 21: PLAY A SUCKER TO CATCH A SUCKER—SEEM DUMBER THAN YOUR MARK
  • LAW 22: USE THE SURRENDER TACTIC: TRANSFORM WEAKNESS INTO POWER
  • LAW 23: CONCENTRATE YOUR FORCES
  • LAW 24: PLAY THE PERFECT COURTIER
  • LAW 25: RE-CREATE YOURSELF
  • LAW 26: KEEP YOUR HANDS CLEAN
  • LAW 27: PLAY ON PEOPLE’S NEED TO BELIEVE TO CREATE A CULT-LIKE FOLLOWING
  • LAW 28: ENTER ACTION WITH BOLDNESS
  • LAW 29: PLAN ALL THE WAY TO THE END
  • LAW 30: MAKE YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS SEEM EFFORTLESS
  • LAW 31: CONTROL THE OPTIONS: GET OTHERS TO PLAY WITH THE CARDS YOU DEAL
  • LAW 32: PLAY TO PEOPLE’S FANTASIES
  • LAW 33: DISCOVER EACH MAN’S THUMBSCREW
  • LAW 34: BE ROYAL IN YOUR OWN FASHION: ACT LIKE A KING TO BE TREATED LIKE ONE
  • LAW 35: MASTER THE ART OF TIMING
  • LAW 36: DISDAIN THINGS YOU CANNOT HAVE: IGNORING THEM IS THE BEST REVENGE
  • LAW 37: CREATE COMPELLING SPECTACLES
  • LAW 38: THINK AS YOU LIKE BUT BEHAVE LIKE OTHERS
  • LAW 39: STIR UP WATERS TO CATCH FISH
  • LAW 40: DESPISE THE FREE LUNCH
  • LAW 41: AVOID STEPPING INTO A GREAT MAN’S SHOES
  • LAW 42: STRIKE THE SHEPHERD AND THE SHEEP WILL SCATTER
  • LAW 43: WORK ON THE HEARTS AND MINDS
  • LAW 44: DISARM AND INFURIATE WITH THE MIRROR EFFECT
  • LAW 45: PREACH THE NEED FOR CHANGE, BUT NEVER REFORM TOO MUCH AT ONCE
  • LAW 46: NEVER APPEAR TOO PERFECT
  • LAW 47: DO NOT GO PAST THE MARK YOU AIMED FOR; IN VICTORY, LEARN WHEN TO STOP
  • LAW 48: ASSUME FORMLESSNESS