48 laws of power

The 48 Laws of Powerby Robert Greene and Joost Elffers

Law 1

Never Outshine the Master

Alwaysmakethoseaboveyoufeelcomfortablysuperior. Inyourdesiretopleaseorimpressthem,donotgotoofarindisplayingyourtalentsoryoumightaccomplishtheopposite–inspirefearandinsecurity. Makeyourmastersappearmorebrilliantthantheyareandyouwillattaintheheightsofpower.

Law 2

Never put too Much Trust in Friends, Learn how to use Enemies

Bewaryoffriends-theywillbetrayyoumorequickly,fortheyareeasilyarousedtoenvy. Theyalsobecomespoiledandtyrannical.Buthireaformerenemyandhewillbemoreloyalthanafriend,becausehehasmoretoprove. Infact,youhavemoretofearfromfriendsthanfromenemies. Ifyouhavenoenemies,findawaytomakethem.

Law 3

Conceal your Intentions

Keeppeopleoff-balanceandinthedarkbyneverrevealingthepurposebehindyouractions. Iftheyhavenocluewhatyouareupto,theycannotprepareadefense. Guidethemfarenoughdownthewrongpath,envelopetheminenoughsmoke,andbythetimetheyrealizeyourintentions,itwillbetoolate.

Law 4

Always Say Less than Necessary

Whenyouaretryingtoimpresspeoplewithwords,themoreyousay,themorecommonyouappear,andthelessincontrol. Evenifyouaresayingsomethingbanal,itwillseemoriginalifyoumakeitvague,open-ended,andsphinxlike. Powerfulpeopleimpressandintimidatebysayingless. Themoreyousay,themorelikelyyouaretosaysomethingfoolish.

Law 5

So Much Depends on Reputation – Guard it with your Life

Reputationisthecornerstoneofpower. Throughreputationaloneyoucanintimidateandwin;onceyouslip,however,youarevulnerable,andwillbeattackedonallsides. Makeyourreputationunassailable. Alwaysbealerttopotentialattacksandthwartthembeforetheyhappen. Meanwhile,learntodestroyyourenemiesbyopeningholesintheirownreputations. Thenstandasideandletpublicopinionhangthem.

Law 6

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Court Attention at all Cost

Everythingisjudgedbyitsappearance;whatisunseencountsfornothing. Neverletyourselfgetlostinthecrowd,then,orburiedinoblivion. Standout. Beconspicuous,atallcost. Makeyourselfamagnetofattentionbyappearinglarger,morecolorful,moremysterious,thantheblandandtimidmasses.

Law 7

Get others to do the Work for you, but Always Take the Credit

Usethewisdom,knowledge,andlegworkofotherpeopletofurtheryourowncause. Notonlywillsuchassistancesaveyouvaluabletimeandenergy,itwillgiveyouagodlikeauraofefficiencyandspeed. Intheendyourhelperswillbeforgottenandyouwillberemembered. Neverdoyourselfwhatotherscandoforyou.

Law 8

Make other People come to you – use Bait if Necessary

Whenyouforcetheotherpersontoact,youaretheoneincontrol. Itisalwaysbettertomakeyouropponentcometoyou,abandoninghisownplansintheprocess. Lurehimwithfabulousgains–thenattack. Youholdthecards.

Law 9

Win through your Actions, Never through Argument

AnymomentarytriumphyouthinkgainedthroughargumentisreallyaPyrrhicvictory: Theresentmentandillwillyoustirupisstrongerandlastslongerthananymomentarychangeofopinion. Itismuchmorepowerfultogetotherstoagreewithyouthroughyouractions,withoutsayingaword. Demonstrate,donotexplicate.

Law 10

Infection: Avoid the Unhappy and Unlucky

Youcandiefromsomeoneelse’smisery–emotionalstatesareasinfectiousasdisease. Youmayfeelyouarehelpingthedrowningmanbutyouareonlyprecipitatingyourowndisaster. Theunfortunatesometimesdrawmisfortuneonthemselves;theywillalsodrawitonyou. Associatewiththehappyandfortunateinstead.

Law 11

Learn to Keep People Dependent on You

Tomaintainyourindependenceyoumustalwaysbeneededandwanted. Themoreyouarereliedon,themorefreedomyouhave. Makepeopledependonyoufortheirhappinessandprosperityandyouhavenothingtofear. Neverteachthemenoughsothattheycandowithoutyou.

Law 12

UseSelectiveHonestyandGenerositytoDisarmyourVictim





Onesincereandhonestmovewillcoveroverdozensofdishonestones. Open-heartedgesturesofhonestyandgenerositybringdowntheguardofeventhemostsuspiciouspeople. Onceyourselectivehonestyopensaholeintheirarmor,youcandeceiveandmanipulatethematwill. Atimelygift–aTrojanhorse–willservethesamepurpose.

Law 13

When Asking for Help, Appeal to People’s Self-Interest,

Never to their Mercy or Gratitude

Ifyouneedtoturntoanallyforhelp,donotbothertoremindhimofyourpastassistanceandgooddeeds. Hewillfindawaytoignoreyou. Instead,uncoversomethinginyourrequest,orinyouralliancewithhim,thatwillbenefithim,andemphasizeitoutofallproportion. Hewillrespondenthusiasticallywhenheseessomethingtobegainedforhimself.

Law 14

Pose as a Friend, Work as a Spy

Knowingaboutyourrivaliscritical. Usespiestogathervaluableinformationthatwillkeepyouastepahead. Betterstill:Playthespyyourself. Inpolitesocialencounters,learntoprobe. Askindirectquestionstogetpeopletorevealtheirweaknessesandintentions. Thereisnooccasionthatisnotanopportunityforartfulspying.

Law 15

Crush your Enemy Totally

AllgreatleaderssinceMoseshaveknownthatafearedenemymustbecrushedcompletely. (Sometimestheyhavelearnedthisthehardway.) Ifoneemberisleftalight,nomatterhowdimlyitsmolders,afirewilleventuallybreakout. Moreislostthroughstoppinghalfwaythanthroughtotalannihilation: Theenemywillrecover,andwillseekrevenge. Crushhim,notonlyinbodybutinspirit.

Law 16

Use Absence to Increase Respect and Honor

Toomuchcirculationmakesthepricegodown: Themoreyouareseenandheardfrom,themorecommonyouappear. Ifyouarealreadyestablishedinagroup,temporarywithdrawalfromitwillmakeyoumoretalkedabout,evenmoreadmired. Youmustlearnwhentoleave. Createvaluethroughscarcity.

Law 17

Keep Others in Suspended Terror: Cultivate an Air of Unpredictability

Humansarecreaturesofhabitwithaninsatiableneedtoseefamiliarityinotherpeople’sactions. Yourpredictabilitygivesthemasenseofcontrol. Turnthetables:Bedeliberatelyunpredictable. Behaviorthatseemstohavenoconsistencyorpurposewillkeepthemoff-balance,andtheywillwearthemselvesouttryingtoexplainyourmoves. Takentoanextreme,thisstrategycanintimidateandterrorize.





Law 18

Do Not Build Fortresses to Protect Yourself – Isolation is Dangerous

Theworldisdangerousandenemiesareeverywhere–everyonehastoprotectthemselves. Afortressseemsthesafest.Butisolationexposesyoutomoredangersthanitprotectsyoufrom–itcutsyouofffromvaluableinformation,itmakesyouconspicuousandaneasytarget. Bettertocirculateamongpeoplefindallies,mingle. Youareshieldedfromyourenemiesbythecrowd.

Law 19

Know Who You’re Dealing with – Do Not Offend the Wrong Person

Therearemanydifferentkindsofpeopleintheworld,andyoucanneverassumethateveryonewillreacttoyourstrategiesinthesameway. Deceiveoroutmaneuversomepeopleandtheywillspendtherestoftheirlivesseekingrevenge. Theyarewolvesinlambs’clothing. Chooseyourvictimsandopponentscarefully,then–neveroffendordeceivethewrongperson.

Law 20

Do Not Commit to Anyone

Itisthefoolwhoalwaysrushestotakesides. Donotcommittoanysideorcausebutyourself. Bymaintainingyourindependence,youbecomethemasterofothers–playingpeopleagainstoneanother,makingthempursueyou.

Law 21

Play a Sucker to Catch a Sucker – Seem Dumber than your Mark

Noonelikesfeelingstupiderthanthenextpersons. Thetrick,istomakeyourvictimsfeelsmart–andnotjustsmart,butsmarterthanyouare. Onceconvincedofthis,theywillneversuspectthatyoumayhaveulteriormotives.

Law 22

Use the Surrender Tactic: Transform Weakness into Power

Whenyouareweaker,neverfightforhonor’ssake;choosesurrenderinstead. Surrendergivesyoutimetorecover,timetotormentandirritateyourconqueror,timetowaitforhispowertowane. Donotgivehimthesatisfactionoffightinganddefeatingyou–surrenderfirst. Byturningtheothercheckyouinfuriateandunsettlehim. Makesurrenderatoolofpower.

Law 23

Concentrate Your Forces

Conserveyourforcesandenergiesbykeepingthemconcentratedattheirstrongestpoint. Yougainmorebyfindingarichmineandminingitdeeper,thanbyflittingfromoneshallowminetoanother–intensitydefeatsextensityeverytime. Whenlookingforsourcesofpowertoelevateyou,findtheonekeypatron,thefatcowwhowillgiveyoumilkforalongtimetocome.

Law 24





Play the Perfect Courtier

Theperfectcourtierthrivesinaworldwhereeverythingrevolvesaroundpowerandpoliticaldexterity. Hehasmasteredtheartofindirection;heflatters,yieldstosuperiors,andassertspoweroverothersinthemotobliqueandgracefulmanner. Learnandapplythelawsofcourtiershipandtherewillbenolimittohowfaryoucanriseinthecourt.

Law 25

Re-Create Yourself

Donotaccepttherolesthatsocietyfoistsonyou. Re-createyourselfbyforginganewidentity,onethatcommandsattentionandneverborestheaudience. Bethemasterofyourownimageratherthanlettingothersdefineifforyou. Incorporatedramaticdevicesintoyourpublicgesturesandactions–yourpowerwillbeenhancedandyourcharacterwillseemlargerthanlife.

Law 26

Keep Your Hands Clean

Youmustseemaparagonofcivilityandefficiency:Yourhandsareneversoiledbymistakesandnastydeeds. Maintainsuchaspotlessappearancebyusingothersasscapegoatsandcat’s-pawstodisguiseyourinvolvement.

Law 27

Play on People’s Need to Believe to Create a Cultlike Following

Peoplehaveanoverwhelmingdesiretobelieveinsomething. Becomethefocalpointofsuchdesirebyofferingthemacause,anewfaithtofollow. Keepyourwordsvaguebutfullofpromise;emphasizeenthusiasmoverrationalityandclearthinking. Giveyournewdisciplesritualstoperform,askthemtomakesacrificesonyourbehalf. Intheabsenceoforganizedreligionandgrandcauses,yournewbeliefsystemwillbringyouuntoldpower.

Law 28

Enter Action with Boldness

Ifyouareunsureofacourseofaction,donotattemptit. Yourdoubtsandhesitationswillinfectyourexecution. Timidityisdangerous: Bettertoenterwithboldness. Anymistakesyoucommitthroughaudacityareeasilycorrectedwithmoreaudacity. Everyoneadmiresthebold;noonehonorsthetimid.

Law 29

Plan All the Way to the End

Theendingiseverything. Planallthewaytoit,takingintoaccountallthepossibleconsequences,obstacles,andtwistsoffortunethatmightreverseyourhardworkandgivetheglorytoothers. Byplanningtotheendyouwillnotbeoverwhelmedbycircumstancesandyouwillknowwhentostop. Gentlyguidefortuneandhelpdeterminethefuturebythinkingfarahead.

Law 30





Make your Accomplishments Seem Effortless

Youractionsmustseemnaturalandexecutedwithease. Allthetoilandpracticethatgointothem,andalsoalltheclevertricks,mustbeconcealed. Whenyouact,acteffortlessly,asifyoucoulddomuchmore. Avoidthetemptationofrevealinghowhardyouwork–itonlyraisesquestions. Teachnooneyourtricksortheywillbeusedagainstyou.

Law 31

Control the Options: Get Others to Play with the Cards you Deal

Thebestdeceptionsaretheonesthatseemtogivetheotherpersonachoice: Yourvictimsfeeltheyareincontrol,butareactuallyyourpuppets. Givepeopleoptionsthatcomeoutinyourfavorwhicheveronetheychoose. Forcethemtomakechoicesbetweenthelesseroftwoevils,bothofwhichserveyourpurpose. Putthemonthehornsofadilemma: Theyaregoredwherevertheyturn.

Law 32

Play to People’s Fantasies

Thetruthisoftenavoidedbecauseitisuglyandunpleasant. Neverappealtotruthandrealityunlessyouarepreparedfortheangerthatcomesfordisenchantment. Lifeissoharshanddistressingthatpeoplewhocanmanufactureromanceorconjureupfantasyarelikeoasesinthedesert: Everyoneflockstothem.Thereisgreatpowerintappingintothefantasiesofthemasses.

Law 33

Discover Each Man’s Thumbscrew

Everyonehasaweakness,agapinthecastlewall. Thatweaknessisusualyaninsecurity,anuncontrollableemotionorneed;itcanalsobeasmallsecretpleasure. Eitherway,oncefound,itisathumbscrewyoucanturntoyouradvantage.

Law 34

Be Royal in your Own Fashion: Act like a King to be treated like one

Thewayyoucarryyourselfwilloftendeterminehowyouaretreated;Inthelongrun,appearingvulgarorcommonwillmakepeopledisrespectyou. Forakingrespectshimselfandinspiresthesamesentimentinothers. Byactingregallyandconfidentofyourpowers,youmakeyourselfseemdestinedtowearacrown.

Law 35

Master the Art of Timing

Neverseemtobeinahurry–hurryingbetraysalackofcontroloveryourself,andovertime. Alwaysseempatient,asifyouknowthateverythingwillcometoyoueventually. Becomeadetectiveoftherightmoment;sniffoutthespiritofthetimes,thetrendsthatwillcarryyoutopower. Learntostandbackwhenthetimeisnotyetripe,andtostrikefiercelywhenithasreachedfruition.

Law 36





Disdain Things you cannot have: Ignoring them is the best Revenge

Byacknowledgingapettyproblemyougiveitexistenceandcredibility. Themoreattentionyoupayanenemy,thestrongeryoumakehim;andasmallmistakeisoftenmadeworseandmorevisiblewhenyoutrytofixit. Itissometimesbesttoleavethingsalone. Ifthereissomethingyouwantbutcannothave,showcontemptforit. Thelessinterestyoureveal,themoresuperioryouseem.

Law 37

Create Compelling Spectacles

Strikingimageryandgrandsymbolicgesturescreatetheauraofpower–everyonerespondstothem. Stagespectaclesforthosearoundyou,thenfullofarrestingvisualsandradiantsymbolsthatheightenyourpresence. Dazzledbyappearances,noonewillnoticewhatyouarereallydoing.

Law 38

Think as you like but Behave like others

Ifyoumakeashowofgoingagainstthetimes,flauntingyourunconventionalideasandunorthodoxways,peoplewillthinkthatyouonlywantattentionandthatyoulookdownuponthem. Theywillfindawaytopunishyouformakingthemfeelinferior. Itisfarsafertoblendinandnurturethecommontouch.Shareyouroriginalityonlywithtolerantfriendsandthosewhoaresuretoappreciateyouruniqueness.

Law 39

Stir up Waters to Catch Fish

Angerandemotionarestrategicallycounterproductive. Youmustalwaysstaycalmandobjective. Butifyoucanmakeyourenemiesangrywhilestayingcalmyourself,yougainadecidedadvantage. Putyourenemiesoff-balance:Findthechinkintheirvanitythroughwhichyoucanrattlethemandyouholdthestrings.

Law 40

Despise the Free Lunch

Whatisofferedforfreeisdangerous–itusuallyinvolveseitheratrickorahiddenobligation. Whathasworthisworthpayingfor. Bypayingyourownwayyoustayclearofgratitude,guilt,anddeceit. Itisalsooftenwisetopaythefullprice–thereisnocuttingcornerswithexcellence. Belavishwithyourmoneyandkeepitcirculating,forgenerosityisasignandamagnetforpower.

Law 41

Avoid Stepping into a Great Man’s Shoes

Whathappensfirstalwaysappearsbetterandmoreoriginalthanwhatcomesafter. Ifyousucceedagreatmanorhaveafamousparent,youwillhavetoaccomplishdoubletheirachievementstooutshinethem. Donotgetlostintheirshadow,orstuckinapastnotofyourownmaking: Establishyourownnameandidentitybychangingcourse. Slaytheoverbearingfather,disparagehislegacy,andgainpowerbyshininginyourownway.





Law 42

Strike the Shepherd and the Sheep will Scatter

Troublecanoftenbetracedtoasinglestrongindividual–thestirrer,thearrogantunderling,thepoisonedofgoodwill. Ifyouallowsuchpeopleroomtooperate,otherswillsuccumbtotheirinfluence. Donotwaitforthetroublestheycausetomultiply,donottrytonegotiatewiththem–theyareirredeemable. Neutralizetheirinfluencebyisolatingorbanishingthem. Strikeatthesourceofthetroubleandthesheepwillscatter.

Law 43

Work on the Hearts and Minds of Others

Coercioncreatesareactionthatwilleventuallyworkagainstyou. Youmustseduceothersintowantingtomoveinyourdirection. Apersonyouhaveseducedbecomesyourloyalpawn. Andthewaytoseduceothersistooperateontheirindividualpsychologiesandweaknesses. Softenuptheresistantbyworkingontheiremotions,playingonwhattheyholddearandwhattheyfear. Ignoretheheartsandmindsofothersandtheywillgrowtohateyou.

Law 44

Disarm and Infuriate with the Mirror Effect

Themirrorreflectsreality,butitisalsotheperfecttoolfordeception:Whenyoumirroryourenemies,doingexactlyastheydo,theycannotfigureoutyourstrategy. TheMirrorEffectmocksandhumiliatesthem,makingthemoverreact. Byholdingupamirrortotheirpsyches,youseducethemwiththeillusionthatyousharetheirvalues;byholdingupamirrortotheiractions,youteachthemalesson. FewcanresistthepowerofMirrorEffect.

Law 45

Preach the Need for Change, but Never Reform too much at Once

Everyoneunderstandstheneedforchangeintheabstract,butontheday-to-daylevelpeoplearecreaturesofhabit. Toomuchinnovationistraumatic,andwillleadtorevolt. Ifyouarenewtoapositionofpower,oranoutsidertryingtobuildapowerbase,makeashowofrespectingtheoldwayofdoingthings. Ifchangeisnecessary,makeitfeellikeagentleimprovementonthepast.

Law 46

Never appear too Perfect

Appearingbetterthanothersisalwaysdangerous,butmostdangerousofallistoappeartohavenofaultsorweaknesses. Envycreatessilentenemies. Itissmarttooccasionallydisplaydefects,andadmittoharmlessvices,inordertodeflectenvyandappearmorehumanandapproachable. Onlygodsandthedeadcanseemperfectwithimpunity.

Law 47

Do not go Past the Mark you Aimed for; In Victory, Learn when to Stop

Themomentofvictoryisoftenthemomentofgreatestperil. Intheheatofvictory,arroganceand





overconfidencecanpushyoupastthegoalyouhadaimedfor,andbygoingtoofar,youmakemoreenemiesthanyoudefeat. Donotallowsuccesstogotoyourhead. Thereisnosubstituteforstrategyandcarefulplanning. Setagoal,andwhenyoureachit,stop.

Law 48

Assume Formlessness

Bytakingashape,byhavingavisibleplan,youopenyourselftoattack. Insteadoftakingaformforyourenemytograsp,keepyourselfadaptableandonthemove. Acceptthefactthatnothingiscertainandnolawisfixed. Thebestwaytoprotectyourselfistobeasfluidandformlessaswater;neverbetonstabilityorlastingorder. Everythingchanges.





48 laws of power

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