👤By Aminah Ahmed

 

◼CONTENT LIST

■INTRODUCTION

■WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

■Law 1. Never Outshine the Master

■Law 2. Never Put Too Much Trust in Friends, Learn How to Use Enemies

■Law 3. DISGUISE 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 Costs Be conspicuous & stand out

■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. Avoid the misfortune’s infection

■Law 11. Learn to Keep People Dependent on You:-

■Law 12. Use Selective Honesty and Generosity to Disarm Your Victim:-

■Law 13. Get help by appealing to self-interest, not goodness:-

■Law 14. Pose as a Friend, Work as a Spy Be a spy:-

■Law 15. Crush your enemy completely:-

■Law 16. Use Absence to Increase Respect and Honor:-

■Law 17. Keep Others in Suspended Terror:-

■Law 18. Isolation is Dangerous, Don’t isolate yourself behind a fortress:-

■Law19 Don’t Offend the Wrong Person

■Law 20 Don’t Commit to Anyone Stay neutral as long as possible to maintain your independence

■Law 21. Play a Sucker to Catch a Sucker – Appear Dumber Than Your Mark Make your victims feel smarter than you, so they drop their guard.

■Law 22. Use the Surrender Tactic: Transform Weakness Into Power Use surrender as a tool:-Law 

■Law 23. Concentrate Your Forces:-

■Law 24. Play the Perfect Courtier:-

■Law 25. Recreate Yourself Create your own identity and use it like a costume:-

■Law 26. Keep Your Hands Clean; Conceal your mistakes:-

■Law 27. Create a Cult-like Following by Playing on People’s Need to Believe:-

■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 Into People’s Fantasies so they keep you:-

■Law 33. Find your opponent’s fatal weakness to break their defences:-

■Law 34. Be regal and authoritative:-

■Law 35. Master the Art of Timing Strike only at the right hour:-

■Law 36. Disdain Things You Cannot Have: Ignoring Them is the Best Revenge:-

■Law 37. Dazzle people with spectacles so they don’t see what you’re really:-

■Law 38. Hide unorthodox thinking pretend to blend in:-

■Law 39. Stir Up Waters to Catch Fish:-

■Law 40. Beware 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. Appeal to both feelings and logic:-

■Law 44. Disarm and Infuriate With the Mirror Effect (mask reality with illusion):-

■Law 45. Preach the Need for Change, but Never Reform Too Much at Once:-

■Law 46. Don’t seem too perfect or you’ll invite jealousy:-

■Law 47. Don’t Go Past the Mark You Aimed For: In Victory, Learn When to Stop:-

■Law 48. Be formless and unpredictable:-

■CONCLUSION🗸

■PERSONAL OPINION

■🗸REVIEWS


◼INTRODUCTION

Power, power, power! We all desire that right? Well, at least in any sector of life. Maybe in your business, any profession, or in your social circle. But power is not for naive ones. So, The 48 Laws of Power summary will tell you why is it so!

Well, you may be thinking that power is for everyone, not just for evils but for good ones too. Yeah, you’re right, but see, being powerless doesn’t ache that much as compared to when you lose power after attaining it. Try to feel it, you’ll get it then.

So, this implies that it’s necessary to be able to sustain the power after achieving it. And you can only sustain it when you know the tactics. Of course, at some point in life, you’ll have the power in any sector of life, it can be the professional world or in any relation, you too need to know the tactics, and how to remain powerful forever.

Well, certainly you need to have power before sustaining it, so this summary, an embodiment of the book “The 48 Laws of Powers” written by Robert Greene, sketches all those tactics that will allow you to gain power along with sustaining it. Moreover, bear in mind that power is amoral, neither evil nor angelic, it depends on how you use the power. This book is an amalgam of thoughts gained through experiences of men and women across different civilizations. And here we’re presenting a brief and complete 48 laws of power summary. Hope you’ll enjoy exploring it.

◼WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

You know this world is full of deceptions. No doubt, being naive and bearing a soft heart will only crush you. Do you know? when you wear the crown of power you become more susceptible to evil attacks. Others set traps outside Lion’s cave.

So, to keep yourself in the safe zone and cultivate more power requires you to think one step ahead. For this, you need to sharpen yourself, and that’s where Robert Greene’s 48 tactics help you. I expect that now you may be convinced to read the 48 laws of power summary.

LAW 1. NEVER OUTSHINE THE MASTER

Reserve your master’s position. Explaining it, don’t go too far in proving and showing your talents, otherwise, they’ll get insecure about you and you may end up in the wrong situation.


48 laws of power summary paints an example here, think about yourself as a master and your employee more charming than you, always willing to beat you in the competition. What would you do?

However, if you’re naturally more intriguing than your master and it’s hard to hide it then it would be better to resist working with them.

LAW 2. NEVER PUT TOO MUCH TRUST IN FRIENDS, LEARN HOW TO USE ENEMIES:

Friends bring prosperity but keeping them with you in a professional sector can have several risks.

Friends can become your enemies, due to any reason, without you even knowing. This scenario can create you the worse harm as you may not be equipped to prevent it.

Even you might be unhappy with their work and this can also create a bad environment as personal feelings are also involved in this case, you may feel that you deserved better in this close relationship.

But this does not mean that friends can’t we working with you or are not worthy of trust. You can have them beside you but always keep your eyes open and don’t let go of a competent person for your friend.

Using your enemies can lead you to a wonderland, a world of success. This works in a way that you already know they’re your enemies so you’ll keep in touch with their every move. Furthermore, they will try to prove to be better than you and will give their fullest input in their assigned works by you.

If you don’t have enemies try making some and if they’re really capable pretend to be their friend and make them do your work efficiently.

LAW 3. DISGUISE YOUR INTENTIONS:-

It’s all about pretending so that your opponent can’t see the real next. As a result, they’ll plan against the unreality.

To portray this the 48 laws of power summary pins a well-seen example, you might have seen in Ertgrul Ghazi, that both Ertgrul and the opponents use this technique against each other. They deliberately reveal the wrong picture accord to which the opponent gets trapped, leading to a great victory.

So this example depicts, try to become predictable in others’ eyes, and then in a flash reveal your unpredictable move to them.

LAW 4. ALWAYS SAY LESS THAN NECESSARY:-

Words have power but only the right words. Talking too much may likely lead you to say something that should not have been said. As discussed earlier, masking yourself is advantageous, so remaining silent is a good way to bring in an advantage.

▪︎The 48 laws of power summary illustrating the power of silence:-

You may have noticed that highly reputed company CEOs or bosses with powerful personalities talk less. It makes them attractive.

Besides this, silence makes others irritated leading them to fill in the space and might even reveal their intentions to you; or even their thoughts regarding you. But don’t expand that silence too much, do speak with the right amount of words where necessary, as it may lead to communication barriers.

LAW 5. SO MUCH DEPENDS ON REPUTATION – GUARD IT WITH YOUR LIFE:-

Protect your reputation at all costs, since your reputation shapes others’ expectations.

Reputation is your public identity or the judgemental scale that you have set yourself. So, if your scale is a standard one then you’ve got almost more than half of the power. You can compete with your head up, nurturing your confidence as you get supported and admired by the public.

A person with a good reputation embodies attraction as compared to a person below. Once you’ve established a good reputation you can attack and ridicule your opponents but also be careful as your foes will try to trap you from every angle. Do remember don’t attack too heavily as it may backfire.

The 48 laws of power summary picturing it, nowadays most trending example is the X-PM of Pakistan, Imran Khan. He’s got a well-established reputation for which he’s even noticed and cherished outside Pakistan. You can see him talking fearlessly while looking into the eyes of his opponents. However, his boldness got him heavily attacked.

Furthermore, once you’ve established a good reputation don’t show others if you’re desperate to protect it, cause your opponents can consider it as your weak point.

Another way to defeat your opponent is by exposing them to the public– creating holes in their reputation–and then letting the public do their job.

LAW 6. COURT ATTENTION AT ALL COSTS BE CONSPICUOUS & STAND OUT:-

I: SURROUND YOUR NAME WITH THE SPECTACULAR AND SCANDALOUS

There’s an unlimited number of people out there in your society. Only some of them are under our eyes while others’ existence is not even known. If you want success you’ll have to build a position in your society.

So, be the one who’s flashing wide and bright. Surrounding yourself with scandals is better than being ignored. When you’ll be the topic of discussion your popularity will increase. Ultimately you’ll get a position in society. People will glue their eyes on your next move. Nevertheless, be cautious not to surround yourself with tricky scandals. Along with attention, quality of attention is also important.

II: PAINT AN AIR OF MYSTERY

“The more mystery surrounds your actions, the more awesome your power seems.” -Robert Greene-

LAW 7. GET OTHERS TO DO THE WORK FOR YOU, BUT ALWAYS TAKE THE CREDIT:-

This section of the 48 laws of power summary talks about always taking the credit yourself.

We all have heard that teamwork is powerful and energetic but what if you could make the team or the other one do the work for you? And then take the credit yourself. What will happen? Well, your valuable time and energy are going to be saved, right? But if you think that the work is important and don’t feel comfortable handing the work to others and you gonna do it yourself believe me you’re gonna be exhausted.

HERE THE 48 LAWS OF POWER SUMMARY HAS A SOLUTION FOR YOU:

Make sure to hire the most competent and skilfull ones. They can do the work–maybe in a team– better than you as a single. You can act as a demonstrator just to keep an eye on how’s the project going.

But REMEMBER, use this technique in a way that you’re not gonna be accused as a deceptive person. In essence, keep your reputation secured.

LAW 8. MAKE OTHER PEOPLE COME TO YOU – USE BAIT IF NECESSARY:

Make people come to you, so you hold all the cards.

A controller is not the one who forces others, in fact, he’s the one being controlled himself. To be the ruler or controller you should be able to create such situations the people will come to you themselves.

You can use bait for this if necessary, to scare others or to weaken others. Also, you should be able to control your anger, but show anger when others bait you. As you don’t want to appear soft in front of them.

Moreover, attract your opponents towards you and when you’ll gain their trust turn the cards. Leave no option, but only you, for them. Now this means you don’t need force because they have surrendered in front of you of their own will as no other option is left for them.

You’ll have power when you’re the initiative and others are to react to it. you’ll be the planer of their actions without them knowing it, without forcing them.

LAW 9. WIN THROUGH YOUR ACTIONS, NEVER THROUGH ARGUMENT:-

You must have heard that words can change minds and brainwashing is something that gives you the remote of the other one to control them. But that’s the alternative when we talk about using physical force.

However, in the opposite case, actions speak larger than words. Because anyone can speak and say anything. And it’s possible what anything is said is not always effective and pleasant. Your words can offend people, stirring resentment.

But if we consider that your words have influenced someone in the way you wanted, still it’s not likely that it’s gonna have a long term impact. So, it means actions are better. Here your actions mean demonstrating your beliefs. Execute effective actions that can prove you.

Here 48 laws of power summary gives an example to justify the power of action over words, consider your science teacher stating something like ” plants get food through sunlight” now you will be confused about how does sunlight even bring food to the plant? Right? Well, when your teacher will demonstrate (prove) through an experiment you’ll believe it 100%, won’t you?

LAW 10. AVOID THE MISFORTUNE’S INFECTION:-

This section of 48 laws of power summary dicusses the virus of misfortune. There are two kinds of people in the world. One those who are cheerful and whenever you sit with them you feel enlightened and positive. You should link with these positive people.

On the other hand, those who are always complaining and calling themselves victims, and make you feel distressed. They are full of negativities, and negativity always attracts bad luck. You should not get infected by their misery and misfortune.

Even if you want to bring them out of this dark hole it’s all vain, they’re the cause themselves. They won’t accept the truth that they have to correct their mistakes, in fact, they just see themselves as victims.

LAW 11. LEARN TO KEEP PEOPLE DEPENDENT ON YOU :-
If you can provide the tickets of dependency then you have the rewards in the form of power. Being dependent on someone is like being addicted to a drug. If you’re that drug then you’ve got the spot.

Furthermore, you’ve to make sure for yourself not to confuse power with dependency. What I mean is, sometimes we see power coming with a relation. This means we think that if we’re gonna attach ourselves to a specific person then we’ll also be able to exercise power. Well, apparently that seems true but in reality, that is you being DEPENDENT on someone, and that should not be the case.

Moreover, if you’re seeing someone above you–for whom you feel has the tickets of dependency– then try replacing yourself with them. But, do keep in mind every position has its own risk.

Giving more tips, don’t teach anyone that far that they can do all the work without you, and now you’re no more of their need.

Also, adopt a skill/skills with enough competency that you could not be replaced.

LAW 12. USE SELECTIVE HONESTY AND GENEROSITY TO DISARM YOUR VICTIM:-
Your opponents are like stones, to bring them down this summary mentions the best weapons: Honesty and generosity. These will convert the stone into a candle. And a candle just goes on melting when lit. And the lighter is you. Show kindness, show honesty. As honesty is the best policy. Your warm behaviour will gain their trust in you. So the victory will be yours, now you can turn the table as you want.

But, even if you don’t like them and don’t want to be good to them just think of your kindness as your weapon to defeat them. And that’s what you want to do with your enemies? Right?

Keep this mask until holes are created in their armour. However, you may form a history of deceptions, and openly embrace it, as your reputation will somewhere reflect the deceits.

But if they know that you are a dishonest person, then use the smokescreen effect. Speak small lies to cover the big ones. After all your motive is defeating them. This is just like a silent war.

LAW 13. GET HELP BY APPEALING TO SELF-INTEREST, NOT GOODNESS:-
This section of the 48 laws of power summary talks about not pleading in front of others, no matter how helpless you’re. Just change your way of asking for help.

Well, it’s evident, that we always can’t be the donator or the one in power. Sometimes we need help too. But asking for help can make you appear weaker, others can know your weak points and that’s contrary to success. So, what should we do in our hours of need? Just sit down and let the destruction happen? No, no at all! Here’s an antidote, when you have to ask for help, don’t ask it as if you’re pleading for someone’s mercy. Mask your request with an offer for them.

Explaining it, ask for help in such a way that you’re putting forth a benefit for them, or what they’re interested in. In this way, they’ll respond enthusiastically and will not view you as a beggar. For example, if you’re working on a project and you have a skilful person in your eye. Then you could tell them that if you would work with me I could help you in gaining a specific skill, certificate, future promotion or reward you for whatever I’ll gain on the completion of this project.

Further speaking, we sometimes–when asking for help–remind others of the times when we assisted them. This is a very wrong practice. All you’re doing is showing yourself as a fool and indirectly demonstrating yourself as weak. Remember benefit/interest is the biggest motivator, keep your requests embedded with it.

Additionally, try to detect the interest of others so you could ask for help from the right person without disrupting your image.

LAW 14. POSE AS A FRIEND, WORK AS A SPY BE A SPY:-
Besides talking about armour, knowing about your opponent is also crucial. Consider, when you want to clean up your products’ shelf you first read the description and expiry date of each, before throwing it away.

Similarly, before attacking your opponent you should know them. Knowing them will reveal their secrets and weaknesses to you. For this, you’ll have to spy on them. Mostly, spying on your own is better, because when you ask others to spy for you you’re more open to vulnerability. You can pose yourself as their friend and take out the valuable info.

Remember, don’t do the exchange a secret for a secret. Keep your secrets to yourself. Just open them by telling them made-up secrets.

BELOW THE 48 LAWS OF POWER SUMMARY ELICITS HOW TO SPY:-

Yet, if you don’t want to be their friend or it seems impossible you can opt for others. Make sure to hiyer the most trusted one, or pay them enough.

LAW 15. CRUSH YOUR ENEMY COMPLETELY:-
Whenever we lit a fire, even a match stick, we always make sure that it’s completely blown out. Furthermore, the match has no burning flame but still, a red glowing look makes us dip it into the water so it won’t be lit up again.

Now think of your enemy being battered by you, and has no burning flame cause he’s weak but can’t it recover? You haven’t turned it off completely, as soon as they recover they’ll seek revenge on you, right?

Well, the 48 laws of power summary illustrates the same concept as Robert Greene’s. Your enemy with greater hatred can end you, it might be that they’ll have a plot against you which will leave you immovable forever. So, bear that in mind before leaving your battered enemy unchecked.

“Crush the enemy, is a key strategic tenet of Sun-tzu, the fourth-century-B.C. author of The Art of War. The idea is simple: Your enemies wish you ill.”
 -Robert Greene-
Concluding it, leave no option for them that they could attack you back. Or you can show them how strong are you and they would dare not to look back at you.

LAW 16. USE ABSENCE TO INCREASE RESPECT AND HONOR:-
We all might have experienced that always being omnipotent makes you appear common. This mostly happens in friendship, love, your workplace etc. We can even see this concept persisting in the economic world. A product that’s unique and less available is always more in demand. Buyers always have their eyes glued on it, when will it be restocked. Off course at first, these products are available in a greater amount but then the pattern changes.

I know that products are different from humans. But the same concept still prevails in both. When you are always lingering around, a point comes when their presence or absence doesn’t have a major impact. This is a human psychological aspect. Things are meant to happen this way. And so your value goes down. This makes you powerless.

WAYS TO MAKE YOUR EXISTENCE POWERFUL:-

•Polish your skills to that extent that you’ll always be wanted.

•Withdraw before the power of your existence starts to evaporate; and
•State no purpose for your absence – others will infer they’re at fault

•Re-appear as if you are back from the dead.

• Be a continuous pattern of presence and absence

Note: • Be absent only after when you’ve built your presence

• Don’t be too absent otherwise others will become suspicious be of you

LAW 17. KEEP OTHERS IN SUSPENDED TERROR:-
Our enemies strike us after making a well-developed plan. Our duty is to break this plan. Well, pounder on what strategy do they plot against us. Yes, they analyze each move end predict our next step. In this way, we are moving according to their plans.

What if we could pretend a move. Imagine, if you’re a businessman/woman or maybe you’re a student and you’ve been given an important project to complete. And your enemies want to bring it down. They might be spying on you, like to whom will you go for collaboration. They might threaten your peer or play corruption against you.

So, you see, they’ve followed your steps to break you down. What should you do here? The best thing is to falsify your moves, and mislead them. So they won’t be able to catch you and their plans and predictions will go wrong.

In essence, be unpredictable. Don’t form regular patterns, don’t let others use your habits against you. As habits make you predictable.

But remember, too much unpredictability can make you a liar in others’ eyes.

LAW 18. ISOLATION IS DANGEROUS, DON’T ISOLATE YOURSELF BEHIND A FORTRESS:-
This sector of yhe 48 laws of power summary depicts that, cutting yourself off from society seems safe but in reality, it’s an unsafe zone. Encapsulating yourself does give comfort but deep in it’s letting your enemies arm against you.

You’re giving them space to enter your territory. You may feel tension free but keep in mind that one day you’ll have to come out of your fort, what will you do then? When things will be upside down. When traps will be set for you everywhere, cause you had let them do so. You missed the valuable information, what’s happening in the surroundings, who’s and how is planning against you.

You must build the courage to step out into society. in this dangerous world, which becomes more harmful when you’re unaware of it. Build connections, absorb profitable data, make plans, predict and attack then sustain your position. This is the way to get power. Cutting yourself off from society won’t let you exercise the 48 laws of power.

Besides, you can disappear from the centre, only for a short time, to give yourself some time, or ponder on important aspects in quietness.

LAW 19. DON’T OFFEND THE WRONG PERSON:-
There are different kinds of people in the world. Having different nature and thoughts. Who react and think differently. Not everyone will react the same way to your strategies.

It’s evident, that attacking and targeting every sector of people is not always advantageous. At some point, it can bring you down, cause you may unknowingly mingle with the wrong person who will spend the rest of their life avenging you. That’s why before targeting someone get to know each and everything about them.

In identifying this DON’T do two things:
 1. Trust appearances 2. Relie on your instincts, rather do a thorough research.

If you identify a tough man then it’s better to flee away, but if you choose not to do so then make sure that you and your plans are stong enough to bring them down and not letting them rise again.

LAW 20. DON’T COMMIT TO ANYONE STAY NEUTRAL AS LONG AS POSSIBLE TO MAINTAIN YOUR INDEPENDENCE
A lot of people have a habit of jumping into the fight without any reason and committing themselves to one side. This is just a waste of time and energy. And in the end, your team is on the verge of losing you’ll be considered stupid and powerless.

Moreover, when you are always easily available for help you may not be admired or wanted. This also makes you powerless. So, be unattainable, people will be drawn to your personality and you’ll be surrounded by fair suppliants. So, you must look independent.

Going ahead, the fairest thing is to show interest but stay neutral, when reaching the end if you feel that one of the groups is moving to victory then you may defend them, but don’t Mandel in a fray that will just bring down your reputation.

In addition, make sure to keep your emotional subjectivity out of your way. You have to be independent, and let others do whatever they wanna do in their petty fights.

LAW 21. PLAY A SUCKER TO CATCH A SUCKER – APPEAR DUMBER THAN YOUR MARK MAKE YOUR VICTIMS FEEL SMARTER THAN YOU, SO THEY DROP THEIR GUARD.
When you’ll directly appear more charming and smarter to the other they will surely plan greater to bring you down. Cause no one likes to seem less smart than the other one.

Before you’re attacked, disguise yourself as a dumb person. Never impugn their intelligence, just show yourself less smarter than them. In this way, they won’t feel harmed towards you, and if they even plan against you they will plan weak.

Reassure others that they’re more preocious than you. In this way they’ll drop the guard and will be more vulnerable to your attacks. In essence, build a veneer of falsehood to create illusions.

LAW 22. USE THE SURRENDER TACTIC: TRANSFORM WEAKNESS INTO POWER USE SURRENDER AS A TOOL:-

Presumably, you always can’t have more power than your opponent, in this case, surrendering is the reasonable option as you’re weak.

You can’t let the opponent defeat you and get satisfaction. Instead, withdraw at your own will. Well, that doesn’t mean that you’re not gonna be seen weak, but at least you’re not gonna be smashed to your end. So, save the time for another battle, when you’ll be powerful. Come back with more stamina.

Adding more, when you’ll surrender take that time to strengthen yourself as you may have measured the capability of your opponent. Moreover, your enemy may perceive you as weak and you can you this perception of them to deceive.

But if you have a strong feeling that surrendering can bring you an irreversible loss then fight till your last breath.

LAW 23. CONCENTRATE YOUR FORCES:-
Use submission as a tool. Bide your time for retaliation

“Conserve your forces and energies by keeping them concentrated at their strongest point. You gain more by finding a rich mine and mining it deeper than by fitting from one shallow mine to another-intensity defeats extensity every time. When looking for sources of power to elevate you, find the one key patron, the fat cow who will give you milk for a long time to come.”

"Here’s an exception to this, while batlling if dispersing yourself is necessary to defeat your enemy then do it."
-Robert Greene-
LAW 24. PLAY THE PERFECT COURTIER:-
Be a masterful courtier to balance the various players and power brokers.

This section of the 48 laws of power summary talks about how to sharpen your personality. A sharp personality yields true power. It suggests acting like a perfect courtier.

A courtier is an attendant at the court of sovereign. Well, this dosen’t mean that you’d have to join the court and be a member of it, all you have to do is adopt the courtier like traits below:

Practicing nonchalanceBeing frugal with flatteryAdapting your style and language according to your audienceAvoiding being the bearer of bad newsNever criticizing your superiorsBeing self-observantMastering your emotionsBeing a source of pleasure

LAW 25. RECREATE YOURSELF CREATE YOUR OWN IDENTITY AND USE IT LIKE A COSTUME:-
We all have a marked image in our society and it’s not always necessary that the image depicted is our true self. Sometimes that false image is given by the people based on their judgments. But, in all of this, it’s not just society’s fault, it’s also us. It happens when in public we don’t pay attention to how we’re reacting to certain things including our gestures. We take these things lightly while these also define our state of power.

So, reive new life and energy to your image don’t accept the past image or what people associate with you. Deny all those identities. Give yourself a new look, etiquette that’s far beyond boring. Be the cheerful one. Be under the spotlight. Mould yourself into a powerful figure. Be the creator of your image.

Robert Greene mentions George Sand’s strategy, a famous French novelist:
Sculpture a memorable character out of you, one that’s always the centre of attention and never back staged.


LAW 26. KEEP YOUR HANDS CLEAN; CONCEAL YOUR MISTAKES:-
“You must seem a paragon of civility and efficiency: Your hands are never soiled by mistakes and nasty deeds. Maintain such a spotless appearance by using others as scapegoats and cat’s-paws to disguise your involvement. Dont do ur dirty work.make others to do it.”
-Robert Greene-
LAW 27. CREATE A CULT-LIKE FOLLOWING BY PLAYING ON PEOPLE’S NEED TO BELIEVE:-
“People have an overwhelming desire to believe in something. Become the focal point of such desire by offering them a cause, a new faith to follow. Keep your words vague but full of promise, emphasize enthusiasm over rationality and clear thinking. Give your new disciples rituals to perform, ask them to make sacrifices on your behalf. In the absence of organized religion and grand causes, your new belief system will bring you untold power.”
-Robert Greene-
LAW 28. ENTER ACTION WITH BOLDNESS:-
“Act boldly, so you seem confident. If you are unsure of a course of action, do not attempt it. Your doubts and hesitations will infect your execution. Timidity is dangerous: Better to enter with boldness. Any mistakes you commit through audacity are easily corrected with more audacity. Everyone admires the bold; no one honors the timid.”
 -Robert Greene-

LAW 29. PLAN ALL THE WAY TO THE END:-

“The ending is everything. Plan all the way to it, taking into account all the possible consequences, obstacles, and twists of fortune that might reverse your hard work and give the glory to others. By planning to the end you will.not be overwhelmed by circumstances and you will know when to stop. Gently guide fortune and help determine the future by thinking far ahead.”
-Robert Greene-

LAW 30. MAKE YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS SEEM EFFORTLESS:-
“Your actions must seem natural and executed with ease. All the toil and practice that go into them, and also all the clever tricks, must be concealed. When you act act effortlessly, as if you could do much more. Avoid the temptation of revealing how hard you work-it only raises questions. Teach no one your tricks or they will be used against you.”
-Robert Greene-
LAW 31. CONTROL THE OPTIONS: GET OTHERS TO PLAY WITH THE CARDS YOU DEAL:-
The best deceptions are the ones that seem to give the other person a choice: Your victims feel they are in control, but are actually your puppets. Give people options that come out in your favor whichever one they choose. Force them to make choices between the lesser of two evils, both of which serve your purpose. Put them on the horns of a dilemma: They are gored wherever they turn.
-Robert Greene-

LAW 32. PLAY INTO PEOPLE’S FANTASIES SO THEY KEEP YOU:-
“The truth is often avoided because it is ugly andunpleasant. Never appeal to truth and reality unless you are prepared for the anger that comes from disenchantment. Life is so harsh and distressing that people who can manufacture romance or conjure up fantasy are lil oases in the desert: Everyone flocks to them. There is great power in tapping into the fantasies of the masses.”
-Robert Greene-
LAW 33. FIND YOUR OPPONENT’S FATAL WEAKNESS TO BREAK THEIR DEFENCES:-
“Everyone has a weakness, a gap in the castle wall. That weakness is usually an insecurity, an uncontrolable emotion or need; it can also be a small secret pleasure. Either, once found, it is a thumbscrew you can turn to your advantage.”
 -Robert Greene-
LAW 34. BE REGAL AND AUTHORITATIVE:-
“The way you carry yourself will often determine how you are treated: In the long run, appearing Vulgar or common will make people disrespect you. For a king respects himself and inspires the same sentiment in others. By acting regally and confident of your powers, you make yourself seem destined to wear a crown.”
 -Robert Greene-
LAW 35. MASTER THE ART OF TIMING STRIKE ONLY AT THE RIGHT HOUR:-
“Never seem to be in a hurry-hurrying betrays a lack of control over yourself, and over time. Always seem patient, as if you know that everything will come to you eventualy. Become a detective of the right moment; sniff out the spirit of the times, the trends that will carry you to power. Learn to stand back when the time is not yet ripe, and to strike fiercely when it has reached fruition.”
-Robert Greene-
LAW 36. DISDAIN THINGS YOU CANNOT HAVE: IGNORING THEM IS THE BEST REVENGE:-
“By acknowledging a petty problem you give it existence and credibility. The more attention you pay an enemy, the stronger you make him; and a small mistake is often made worse and more visible when you try to fix it. It is sometimes best to leave things alone. If there is something you want but cannot have, show contempt for it. The less interest you reveal, the more superior you seem.”
-Robert Greene-
LAW 37. DAZZLE PEOPLE WITH SPECTACLES SO THEY DON’T SEE WHAT YOU’RE REALLY:-
“Striking imagery and grand symbolic gestures create the aura of power-everyone responds to them. Stage spectacles for those around you then, full of arresting visuals and radiant symbols that heighten your presence. Dazzled by appearances, no one will notice what you are really doing.’
-Robert Greene-
LAW 38. HIDE UNORTHODOX THINKING PRETEND TO BLEND IN:-
“If you make a show of going against the times, flaunting your unconventional ideas and unorthodox ways, people will think that you only want attention and that you look. down upon them. They will find a way to punish you for making them feel inferior. It is far safer to blend in and nurture the common touch. Share your originality only with tolerant friends and those who are sure to appreciate your uniqueness.”
-Robert Greene-
LAW 39. STIR UP WATERS TO CATCH FISH:- “Anger and emotion are strategically counterproductive. You must always stay calm and objective. But if you can make your enemies angry while staying calm yourself, you gain a decided advantage. Put your enemies off balance: Find the chink in their vanity through which you can rattle them and you hold the strings.”
-Robert Greene-
LAW 40. BEWARE THE FREE LUNCH:-
“What is offered for free is dangerous-it usually involves either a trick or a hidden obligation. What has worth is worth paying for. By paying your own way you stay clear of gratitude, guilt, and deceit. It is also often wise to pay the full price-there is no cutting corners with excellence. Be lavish with your money and keep it circulating, for generosity is a sign and a magnet for power.”
-Robert Greene-
LAW 41. AVOID STEPPING INTO A GREAT MAN’S SHOES:-
“What happens first always appears better and more original than what comes after. If you succeed a great man or have a famous parent, you will have to accomplish double their achievements to outshine them. Do not get lost in their shadow, or stuck in a past not of your own making: Establish your own name and identity by changing course. Slay the overbearing father, disparage his legacy, and gain power by shining in your own way.”
-Robert Greene-
LAW 42. STRIKE THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP WILL SCATTER:-
“Trouble can often be traced to a single strongindividual -the stirrer, the arrogant underling, the poisoner of goodwill. If you allow such people room to operate, others will succumb to their influence. Do not wait for the troubles they cause to multiply, do not try to negotiate with theresistance irredeemable. Neutralize their influence by isolating or banishing them. Strike at the source of the trouble and the sheep will scatter.”
-Robert Greene-
LAW 43. APPEAL TO BOTH FEELINGS AND LOGIC:-
“Coercion creates a reaction that will eventually work against you. You must seduce others into wanting to move in your direction. A person you have seduced becomes your loyal pawn. And the way to seduce others is to operate on their individual psychologies and weaknesses. Soften up the resistant by working on their emotions, playing on what they hold dear and what they fear. Ignore the hearts and minds of others and they will grow to hate you.”
-Robert Greene-
LAW 44. DISARM AND INFURIATE WITH THE MIRROR EFFECT (MASK REALITY WITH ILLUSION)

“The mirror reflects reality, but it is also the perfect tool for deception: When you mirror your enemies, doing exactly as they do, they cannot figure out your strategy. The Mirror Effect mocks and humiliates them, making them overreact. By holding upa mirror to their psyches, you seduce them with the lilusion that you share their values; by holding up a mirror to their actions, you teach them a lesson. Few can resist the power of the Mirror Effect.”
-Robert Greene-
THERE ARE FOUR MAIN MIRROR EFFECTS:
1.The Neutralizing Effect: Become the shadow of your enemy. Follow thier every step, and bingo ,they’re blinded.

2. The Narcissus Effect: Closely inspect others’ interests, spirit and deslikes and reflect it back to them.
3. Moral Effect: Don’t let go any oppurtunity of giving others thier own medicine. Allow them to taste the same what they did with you.

4. The Hallucination Effect: Create the exact copy of whatever peopl e like. It could be a person or a place. Use this physical appearence to mislead your enemy.

LAW 45. PREACH THE NEED FOR CHANGE, BUT NEVER REFORM TOO MUCH AT ONCE:-

“Everyone understands the need for change in the abstract, but on the day-to -day level people are creatures of habit. Too much innovation is traumatic, and will lead to revolt. If you are new to a position of power, or an outsider trying to build a power base, make a show of respecting the old way of doing things. If change is necessary, make it feel like a gentle improvement on the past.”
-Robert Greene-
LAW 46. DON’T SEEM TOO PERFECT OR YOU’LL INVITE JEALOUSY:-

“Appearing better than others is always dangerous, but most dangerous of all is to appear to have no faults or weaknesses. Envy creates silent enemies. It is smart to occasionally display defects, and admit to harmless vices, in order to deflect envy and appear more human and approachable. Only gods and the dead can seem perfect with impunity.” -Robert Greene-
LAW 47. DON’T GO PAST THE MARK YOU AIMED FOR: IN VICTORY, LEARN WHEN TO STOP:-

“The moment of victory is often the moment of greatest peril. In the heat of victory, arrogance and overconfidence can push you past the goal myou had aimed for, and by going too far, you make more enemies than you defeat. Do not allow success to go to your head. There is no substitute for strategy and careful planning. Set a goal, and when you reach it, stop.”
-Robert Greene-
LAW 48. BE FORMLESS AND UNPREDICTABLE:-

“By taking a shape, by having a visible plan, you open yourself to attack. Instead of taking a form for your enemy to grasp, keep yourself adaptable and on the move. Accept the fact that nothing is certain and no law is fixed. The best way to protect yourself is to be as fluid and formless as water; never bet on stability or lasting order. Everything changes.”
 -Robert Greene-
◼CONCLUSION:-

Compiling it, acting beforehand, not revealing yourself wholly to others, not making unnecessary commitments, playing the sucker game with a sucker and playing dumb with a dumb; along with not concealing yourself in a cocoon but stepping out into this risky world will only then allow you to wear the crown of power.

As a matter of fact, sustaining power is the most crucial thing after winning it, so these 48 tactics summarized in The 48 Laws of Power summary come in handy.

◼PERSONAL OPINION:-

No doubt, this is a controversial book because it does at some point gives a call to deception. But we should accept that humans are not angels and I think as far as you’re battling your opponent deception is okay. But, the 48 laws of power summary suggests:- would be better not to apply these tactics to an innocent and pure person.

Remember as I’ve mentioned before these Laws are of great use, but it depends on how you use them and to which extent. Also bear in mind, that exercising things at a limit will stop you from being called the “Evil”. And not to miss, I would love to know what are your thoughts on it. What do you think about these laws?

☆ REVIEWS:-

Here the 48 laws of power summary displays the common reviews related to Robert Greene’s power book.
☆ Yosep rated it really liked it ☆ almost 11 years ago
For all the readers and reviewers who don’t “get” or like this book, here’s what you are not getting: It is fact. This book is not teaching anyone to be amoral. It’s teaching you how people really are in the real world. It separates the behaviors and tactics of people in history who have succeeded and failed into the 48 “Laws”. This is an explanation of power in the only way it can be expressed. So, if you don’t want to be a deceitful heartless prick who does whatever he can to whomever all for personal gain, then I praise you.
However, YOU STILL NEED TO READ THIS BOOK to protect yourself from aforementioned amoral deceitful pricks. I read this book with this understanding(which Greene also suggests in the book), and came away from it very enlightened. Live your life as you see fit, but I always recommend facing reality in its purest rawest form, and this book really uncovers the seedy underbelly of how powerful people interact with one another.
☆ Blake rated it: it was amazing

☆ Over 8 years ago
i learned to be eviiiilll with this book….haha actually this book made me realize how shady people can be. Plus how smart you and ambitious you should be about succeeding in life. You got to stand out in this world. If you roll with the bunches you’ll become lost. You always have to have a good reputation or if you have a certain reputation you better use it to your advantage (damn im evil hahaha). This book will expose and teach you alot about the real world. One of my first books i really read and enjoyed. it motivated me to keeping learning about myself and people. i highly recommend it.