25-07-2012, 02:15 PM
The 48 Laws Of Power
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NEVER OUTSHINE THE MASTER.
• Transgression of the Law.
Finance Minister Fouquet unintentionally outshone his master, King Louis XIV, making
the King feel insecure by throwing a lavish party that would show off Fouquet’s
connections, cultivated manner and charm. Thinking this move would make him an
indispensable asset to the king, Fouquet had actually offended his master who did not
like the fact people were more charmed by his finance minister than by him. The King
found a convenient excuse to get rid of Fouquet.
• Observance of the Law
Galileo was clever in observing this law by giving glory to his patrons. In order to solve
his perennial problem of funding, he dedicated his discovery of the moons of Jupiter to
the Medicis, since the royal symbol of the Medici family was the planet Jupiter. He then
commissioned an emblem for them, with each moon representing one of the sons who
revolved around the patriarch. The Medici family became his major patron, appointing
him their official court mathematician and philosopher, thereby giving him a more
comfortable life and a steady salary.
Wisdom in a nutshell:
• Present your ideas in such a manner that they may be ascribed to your master,
or could be viewed as an echo of your master’s thoughts.
• If you are more intelligent than your master, act as if you are not.
• Never take your position for granted.
• Never let favors you receive go to your head.
• Discreet flattery is much more powerful. Make it seem like you want to seek his
expertise and advice.
NEVER PUT TOO MUCH TRUST IN FRIENDS, LEARN HOW TO USE
ENEMIES.
• Transgression of the Law.
Michael III of the Byzantine Empire in the mid-ninth century A.D. placed too much
trust in his friend, Basilius. This was a young man who had once saved his life, and in
return, was given all the privileges an emperor could bestow on a friend. Michael
turned the peasant Basilius into a sophisticated and educated courtier. Basilius later
on became greedy for more wealth and power and had his former benefactor and
best friend Michael III murdered.
• Observance of the Law
Emperor Sung of China in 959 A.D. was able to turn all his enemies into loyal friends.
He persuaded his generals to retire to a life of nobility and give up their dreams of
grabbing his throne one day. He spared those who conspired against him, and was
able to win over enemies with his generosity.
Wisdom in a nutshell:
• Do not rely on friends. They will never be totally honest with you. They will not
openly disagree with you in order to avoid arguments.
• Enemies expect nothing so they will be surprised when you are generous.
• An enemy spared the guillotine will be more grateful to you than a friend.
• When you decide to hire a friend you will discover qualities she has kept hidden.
• Skill and competence are more important than friendly feelings.
• Hiring friends will limit your power.
• All working situations require a kind of distance between people.
• You destroy an enemy when you make a friend of him.
• An enemy at your heels keeps you sharp, alert, and focused.
CONCEAL YOUR INTENTIONS.
• Transgression of the Law.
The Marquis de Sevigne was young and inexperienced in the art of love. He confided
in the infamous courtesan of seventeenth-century France, Ninon de Lenclos, to
instruct him on how to seduce a difficult young countess. She made him follow a plan
over a number of weeks, where the Marquis would be appearing in public always
surrounded by beautiful women, in the very places the countess would be expected
to see him. He was supposed to assume an air of nonchalance. This increased the
jealousy of the young countess, who was not sure of his interest in her. One day the
Marquis, unable to control his passion, broke from Ninon’s plan, and blurted out to
the countess that he loved her. After this admission, the countess no longer found
him interesting and avoided him.
SO MUCH DEPENDS ON REPUTATION – GUARD IT WITH YOUR
LIFE.
• Observance of the Law
During China’s War of the Three Kingdoms (A.D.207-265), General Liang was able to
fool his rival Sima Yi simply by letting his track record for being an undefeated leader
in battle do the work for him. Liang’s troops were far outnumbered by Sima Yi’s, yet
he devised a clever last resort plan. Liang donned a Taoist robe and played the lute
upon the wall of the city he was defending. His soldiers opened the gates and hid.
When Sima Yi’s troops advanced upon the unguarded city, Yi recognized his
opponent sitting alone upon the wall. Fearing a trap, Sima Yi called his soldiers to
retreat.