48 Laws Of Power

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The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene and Joost Elffers Law 1 Never Outshine the Master Al wa ysma ket hos ea boveyouf e e lc omf or t a bl ys upe r i or .  I nyourde s i r et opl e a s eori mpr e s st he m, donotgot oof a ri ndi s pl a yi ngyourt a l e nt soryoumi ghta c c ompl i s ht heoppos i t e–i ns pi r ef e a ra nd i ns e c ur i t y.  Ma keyourma s t e r sa ppe a rmo r ebr i l l i a ntt ha nt he ya r ea ndyouwi l la t t a i nt hehe i ght sof powe r . Law 2 Never put too Much Trust in Friends, Learn how to use Enemies Bewa r yoff r i e nds t he ywi l lbe t r a yyoumor equi c kl y,f ort he ya r ee a s i l ya r ous e dt oe nvy.  The ya l s o be c omes poi l e da ndt yr a nni c a l .Buthi r eaf or me re ne mya ndhewi l lbemor el oya lt ha naf r i e nd , be c a us eheha smor et opr ove .  I nf a c t ,youha vemor et of e a rf r omf r i e ndst ha nf r ome ne mi e s .  I fyou ha venoe ne mi e s ,f i ndawa yt oma ket he m.   Law 3 Conceal your Intentions Ke e ppe opl eof f ba l a nc ea ndi nt heda r kbyne ve rr e ve a l i ngt hepur pos ebe hi ndyoura c t i ons .  I ft he y ha venoc l uewha tyoua r eupt o,t he yc a nnotpr e pa r eade f e ns e .  Gui det he mf a re noughdownt he wr ongpa t h,e nve l opet he mi ne noughs mo ke ,a ndbyt het i met he yr e a l i z eyouri nt e nt i ons ,i twi l lbe t ool a t e .   Law 4 Always Say Less than Necessary Whe nyoua r et r yi ngt oi mpr e s spe opl ewi t hwor ds ,t hemor eyous a y,t hemor ec ommonyoua p pe a r , a ndt hel e s si nc ont r ol .  Eve ni fyoua r es a yi ngs ome t hi ngba na l ,i twi l ls e e mor i gi na li fyouma kei t va gue ,ope ne nde d,a nds phi nxl i ke .  Powe r f ulpe opl ei mpr e s sa ndi nt i mi da t ebys a yi ngl e s s .  Th e mor eyous a y,t hemor el i ke l yyoua r et os a ys ome t hi ngf ool i s h. Law 5 So Much Depends on Reputation – Guard it with your Life Re put a t i oni st hec or ne r s t oneofpowe r .  Th r oughr e put a t i ona l oneyouc a ni nt i mi da t ea ndwi n;onc e yous l i p,howe v e r ,youa r evul ne r a bl e ,a ndwi l lbea t t a c ke dona l ls i de s .  Ma keyourr e put a t i on una s s a i l a bl e .  Al wa ysbea l e r tt opot e nt i a la t t a c ksa ndt hwa r tt he mbe f or et he yha ppe n.  Me a nwhi l e , l e a r nt ode s t r oyyoure ne mi e sbyope ni ngh ol e si nt he i rownr e put a t i ons .  The ns t a nda s i dea ndl e t publ i copi ni onha ngt he m. Law 6

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Court Attention at all Cost Eve r yt hi ngi sj u dge dbyi t sa ppe a r a nc e ;wh a ti suns e e nc ount sf ornot hi ng.  Ne ve rl e tyour s e l fge t l os ti nt hec r owd,t he n,orbur i e di nobl i vi on.  St a ndout .  Bec ons pi c uous ,a ta l lc os t .  Ma keyour s e l f ama gne tofa t t e nt i onbya ppe a r i ngl a r ge r ,mor ec ol or f ul ,mor emys t e r i ous ,t ha nt hebl a nda ndt i mi d ma s s e s . Law 7 Get others to do the Work for you, but Always Take the Credit Us et hewi s dom,knowl e dge ,a ndl e gwor kofot he rpe opl et of ur t he ryourownc a us e .  Notonl ywi l l s uc ha s s i s t a nc es a veyouva l ua bl et i mea nde ne r gy,i twi l lgi veyouagodl i kea ur aofe f f i c i e nc ya nd s pe e d.  I nt hee ndyourhe l pe r swi l lbef or got t e na ndyouwi l lber e me mbe r e d.  Ne ve rdoyour s e l f wha tot he r sc a ndof oryou. Law 8 Make other People come to you – use Bait if Necessary Whe nyouf or c et heot he rpe r s ont oa c t ,y o ua r et heonei nc ont r ol .  I ti sa l wa ysbe t t e rt oma key o ur oppone ntc omet oyou,a ba ndoni nghi sownpl a nsi nt hepr oc e s s .  Lur ehi mwi t hf a bul ousga i ns– t he na t t a c k.  Youhol dt hec a r ds . Law 9 Win through your Actions, Never through Argument Anymome nt a r yt r i umphyout hi nkga i ne dt hr ougha r gume nti sr e a l l yaPyr r hi cvi c t or y:  The r e s e nt me nta ndi l lwi l lyous t i rupi ss t r onge ra ndl a s t sl onge rt ha na nymome nt a r yc ha ngeof opi ni on.  I ti smuc hmor epowe r f ult oge tot he r st oa gr e ewi t hyout hr oughyoura c t i ons ,wi t hout s a yi ngawor d.   De mons t r a t e ,donote xpl i c a t e .   Law 10

Infection: Avoid the Unhappy and Unlucky Youc a ndi ef r oms ome onee l s e ’ smi s e r y–e mot i ona ls t a t e sa r ea si nf e c t i ousa sdi s e a s e .  Youma y f e e lyoua r ehe l pi ngt hedr owni ngma nbu tyoua r eonl ypr e c i pi t a t i ngyourowndi s a s t e r .  The unf or t una t es ome t i me sdr a wmi s f or t uneont he ms e l ve s ;t he ywi l la l s odr a wi tonyou.  As s oc i a t ewi t h t heha ppya ndf or t una t ei ns t e a d. Law 11 Learn to Keep People Dependent on You Toma i nt a i nyouri nde pe nde nc eyoumus ta l wa ysbene e de da ndwa nt e d.  Themor eyoua r er e l i e d on,t hemor ef r e e domyouha ve .  Ma kepe opl ede pe ndonyouf ort he i rha ppi ne s sa ndpr os pe r i t ya nd youha venot hi ngt of e a r .  Ne ve rt e a c ht he me noughs ot ha tt he yc a ndowi t houtyou. Law 12 Us eSe l e c t i veHone s t ya ndGe ne r os i t yt oDi s a r myourVi c t i m

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Ones i nc e r ea ndhone s tmovewi l lc ove ro v e rdoz e nsofdi s hone s tone s .  Ope nhe a r t e dge s t ur e sof hone s t ya ndge ne r os i t ybr i ngdownt hegu a r dofe ve nt hemos ts us pi c i ouspe opl e .  Onc eyour s e l e c t i vehone s t yope nsahol ei nt he i ra r mor ,youc a nde c e i vea ndma ni pul a t et he ma twi l l .  At i me l y gi f t–aTr oj a nhor s e–wi l ls e r vet hes a mepur pos e . Law 13 When Asking for Help, Appeal to People’s Self-Interest, Never to their Mercy or Gratitude I fyoune e dt ot ur nt oa na l l yf orhe l p,don otbot he rt or e mi ndhi mofyourpa s ta s s i s t a nc ea ndg ood de e ds .  Hewi l lf i ndawa yt oi gnor eyou.   I ns t e a d,unc ove rs ome t hi ngi nyourr e que s t ,ori nyour a l l i a nc ewi t hhi m,t ha twi l lbe ne f i thi m,a n de mpha s i z ei toutofa l lpr opor t i on.  Hewi l lr e s pond e nt hus i a s t i c a l l ywhe nhes e e ss ome t hi ngt obega i ne df orhi ms e l f . Law 14 Pose as a Friend, Work as a Spy Knowi nga boutyourr i va li sc r i t i c a l .  Us es pi e st oga t he rva l ua bl ei nf or ma t i ont ha twi l lke e pyoua s t e pa he a d.  Be t t e rs t i l l :Pl a yt hes pyyour s e l f .  I npol i t es oc i a le nc ount e r s ,l e a r nt opr obe .  As k i ndi r e c tque s t i onst oge tpe opl et or e ve a lt he i rwe a kne s s e sa ndi nt e nt i ons .  The r ei snooc c a s i ont ha t i snota noppor t u ni t yf ora r t f uls pyi ng. Law 15 Crush your Enemy Totally Al lgr e a tl e a de r ss i nc eMos e sha veknownt ha taf e a r e de ne mymus tbec r us he dc ompl e t e l y.   ( Some t i me st he yha vel e a r ne dt hi st heha r dwa y. )  I fonee mbe ri sl e f ta l i ght ,noma t t e rhowdi ml yi t s mol de r s ,af i r ewi l le ve nt ua l l ybr e a kout .  Mor ei sl os tt hr oughs t oppi ngha l f wa yt ha nt hr ought ot a l a nni hi l a t i on:  Thee ne mywi l lr e c ove r ,a ndwi l ls e e kr e ve nge .  Cr us hhi m,notonl yi nbodybuti n s pi r i t . Law 16 Use Absence to Increase Respect and Honor Toomuc hc i r c ul a t i onma ke st hepr i c egodown:  Themor eyoua r es e e na ndhe a r df r om,t hemo r e c ommonyoua ppe a r .  I fyoua r ea l r e a dye s t a bl i s he di nagr oup,t e mpor a r ywi t hdr a wa lf r omi twi l l ma keyoumor et a l ke da bout ,e ve nmor ea d mi r e d.  Youmus tl e a r nwhe nt ol e a ve .  Cr e a t eva l ue t hr oughs c a r c i t y. Law 17 Keep Others in Suspended Terror: Cultivate an Air of Unpredictability Huma nsa r ec r e a t ur e sofha bi twi t ha ni ns a t i a bl ene e dt os e ef a mi l i a r i t yi not he rpe opl e ’ sa c t i ons .   Yourpr e di c t a bi l i t ygi ve st he mas e ns eofc ont r ol .  Tur nt het a bl e s :Bede l i be r a t e l yunpr e di c t a bl e .   Be ha vi ort ha ts e e mst oha venoc ons i s t e nc yorpur pos ewi l lke e pt he mof f ba l a nc e ,a ndt he ywi l l we a rt he ms e l ve soutt r yi ngt oe xpl a i nyourmove s .  Ta ke nt oa ne xt r e me ,t hi ss t r a t e gyc a ni nt i mi da t e a ndt e r r or i z e .

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  Law 18 Do Not Build Fortresses to Protect Yourself – Isolation is Dangerous Thewor l di sda n ge r ousa nde ne mi e sa r ee v e r ywhe r e–e ve r yoneha st opr ot e c tt he ms e l ve s .  A f or t r e s ss e e mst hes a f e s t .Buti s ol a t i one xp os e syout omor eda nge r st ha ni tpr ot e c t syouf r om–i t c ut syouof ff r omva l ua bl ei nf or ma t i on,i tma ke syouc ons pi c uousa nda ne a s yt a r ge t .  Be t t e rt o c i r c ul a t ea mongpe opl ef i nda l l i e s ,mi ngl e .  Youa r es hi e l de df r omyoure ne mi e sbyt hec r owd.   Law 19 Know Who You’re Dealing with – Do Not Offend the Wrong Person The r ea r ema nydi f f e r e ntki ndsofpe opl ei nt hewor l d,a ndyouc a nne ve ra s s umet ha te ve r yonewi l l r e a c tt oyours t r a t e gi e si nt hes a mewa y.   De c e i veorout ma ne uve rs omepe opl ea ndt he ywi l ls p e nd t her e s toft he i rl i ve ss e e ki ngr e ve nge .  Th e ya r ewol ve si nl a mbs ’c l ot hi ng.  Choos eyourvi c t i msa nd oppone nt sc a r e f ul l y,t he n–ne ve rof f e ndorde c e i vet hewr ongpe r s on.   Law 20 Do Not Commit to Anyone I ti st hef oolwhoa l wa ysr us he st ot a kes i d e s .  Donotc ommi tt oa nys i deorc a us ebutyour s e l f .  By ma i nt a i ni ngyouri nde pe nde nc e ,yoube c o met hema s t e rofot he r s–pl a yi ngpe opl ea ga i ns tone a not he r ,ma ki n gt he mpur s ueyou.   Law 21 Play a Sucker to Catch a Sucker – Seem Dumber than your Mark Noonel i ke sf e e l i ngs t upi de rt ha nt hene xtpe r s ons .  Thet r i c k,i st oma keyourvi c t i msf e e ls ma r t– a ndnotj us ts ma r t ,buts ma r t e rt ha nyoua r e .  Onc ec onvi nc e doft hi s ,t he ywi l lne ve rs us pe c tt ha tyou ma yha veul t e r i ormot i ve s .   Law 22 Use the Surrender Tactic: Transform Weakness into Power Whe nyoua r ewe a ke r ,ne ve rf i ghtf orhono r ’ ss a ke ;c hoos es ur r e nde ri ns t e a d.  Sur r e nde rgi ve syou t i met or e c ove r ,t i met ot or me nta ndi r r i t a t eyourc onque r or ,t i met owa i tf orhi spowe rt owa ne .  Do notgi vehi mt hes a t i s f a c t i onoff i ght i nga n dde f e a t i ngyou–s ur r e nde rf i r s t .  Byt ur ni ngt heot h e r c he c kyoui nf ur i a t ea nduns e t t l ehi m.  Ma kes ur r e nde rat oolofpowe r .   Law 23 Concentrate Your Forces Cons e r veyourf or c e sa nde ne r gi e sbyke e pi ngt he mc onc e nt r a t e da tt he i rs t r onge s tpoi nt .  Youg a i n mor ebyf i ndi ngar i c hmi nea ndmi ni ngi tde e pe r ,t ha nbyf l i t t i ngf r omones ha l l owmi net oa no t he r –i nt e ns i t yde f e a t se xt e ns i t ye ve r yt i me .  Whe nl ooki ngf ors our c e sofpowe rt oe l e va t eyou,f i ndt he oneke ypa t r on,t hef a tc owwhowi l lgi vey oumi l kf oral ongt i met oc ome .   Law 24

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Play the Perfect Courtier Thepe r f e c tc ou r t i e rt hr i ve si nawor l dwhe r ee ve r yt hi ngr e vol ve sa r oundpowe ra ndpol i t i c a l de xt e r i t y.  Heha sma s t e r e dt hea r tofi ndi r e c t i on;hef l a t t e r s ,yi e l dst os upe r i or s ,a nda s s e r t spowe r ove rot he r si nt hemotobl i quea ndgr a c e f ulma nne r .  Le a r na nda ppl yt hel a wsofc our t i e r s hi pa nd t he r ewi l lbenol i mi tt ohowf a ryouc a nr i s ei nt hec our t .   Law 25 Re-Create Yourself Donota c c e ptt her ol e st ha ts oc i e t yf oi s t sonyou.  Re c r e a t eyour s e l fbyf or gi ngane wi de nt i t y,one t ha tc omma ndsa t t e nt i ona ndne ve rbor e st hea udi e nc e .  Bet hema s t e rofyourowni ma ger a t he rt ha n l e t t i ngot he r sd e f i nei ff oryou.  I nc or por a t edr a ma t i cde vi c e si nt oyourpubl i cge s t ur e sa nda c t i o ns– yourpowe rwi l lbee nha nc e da ndyourc h a r a c t e rwi l ls e e ml a r ge rt ha nl i f e .   Law 26 Keep Your Hands Clean Youmus ts e e mapa r a gonofc i vi l i t ya nde f f i c i e nc y:Yourha ndsa r ene ve rs oi l e dbymi s t a ke sa n d na s t yde e ds .  Ma i nt a i ns uc has pot l e s sa ppe a r a nc ebyus i ngot he r sa ss c a pe goa t sa ndc a t ’ s pa wst o di s gui s eyouri n vol ve me nt . Law 27 Play on People’s Need to Believe to Create a Cultlike Following Pe opl eha vea nove r whe l mi ngde s i r et obe l i e vei ns ome t hi ng.  Be c omet hef oc a lpoi ntofs uc hd e s i r e byof f e r i ngt he mac a us e ,ane wf a i t ht of ol l ow.  Ke e pyourwor dsva guebutf ul lofpr omi s e ; e mpha s i z ee nt hus i a s move rr a t i ona l i t ya ndc l e a rt hi nki ng.  Gi veyourne wdi s c i pl e sr i t ua l st o pe r f or m,a s kt he mt oma kes a c r i f i c e sonyo urbe ha l f .  I nt hea bs e nc eofor ga ni z e dr e l i gi ona ndg r a nd c a us e s ,yourne wbe l i e fs ys t e mwi l lbr i ngyouunt ol dpowe r .   Law 28 Enter Action with Boldness I fyoua r euns ur eofac our s eofa c t i on,donota t t e mpti t .  Yourdoubt sa ndhe s i t a t i onswi l li nf e c t youre xe c ut i on.  Ti mi di t yi sda nge r ous :  Be t t e rt oe nt e rwi t hbol dne s s .  Anymi s t a ke syouc ommi t t hr ougha uda c i t ya r ee a s i l yc or r e c t e dwi t hmor ea uda c i t y.  Eve r yonea dmi r e st hebol d;noonehonor s t het i mi d.   Law 29 Plan All the Way to the End Thee ndi ngi se ve r yt hi ng.  Pl a na l lt hewa yt oi t ,t a ki ngi nt oa c c ounta l lt hepos s i bl ec ons e que nc e s , obs t a c l e s ,a ndt wi s t soff or t unet ha tmi ghtr e ve r s eyourha r dwor ka ndgi vet hegl or yt oot he r s .   By pl a nni ngt ot hee ndyouwi l lnotbeove r whe l me dbyc i r c ums t a nc e sa ndyouwi l lknowwhe nt os t op.   Ge nt l ygui def o r t unea ndhe l pde t e r mi net h ef ut ur ebyt hi nki ngf a ra he a d.   Law 30

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Make your Accomplishments Seem Effortless Youra c t i onsmus ts e e mna t ur a la nde xe c ut e dwi t he a s e .  Al lt het oi la ndpr a c t i c et ha tgoi nt ot he m, a nda l s oa l lt hec l e ve rt r i c ks ,mus tbec onc e a l e d.  Whe nyoua c t ,a c te f f or t l e s s l y,a si fyouc oul ddo muc hmor e .  Avoi dt het e mpt a t i onofr e ve a l i nghowha r dyouwor k–i tonl yr a i s e sque s t i ons .  Te a c h nooneyourt r i c ksort he ywi l lbeus e da g a i ns tyou.   Law 31 Control the Options: Get Others to Play with the Cards you Deal Thebe s tde c e p t i onsa r et heone st ha ts e e mt ogi vet heot he rpe r s onac hoi c e :  Yourvi c t i msf e e lt he y a r ei nc ont r ol ,buta r ea c t ua l l yyourpuppe t s .  Gi vepe opl eopt i onst ha tc omeouti nyourf a vor whi c he ve ronet he yc hoos e .  For c et he mt oma kec hoi c e sbe t we e nt hel e s s e roft woe vi l s ,bot hof whi c hs e r veyourpur pos e .  Putt he mont hehor nsofadi l e mma :  The ya r egor e dwhe r e ve rt he yt ur n.   Law 32 Play to People’s Fantasies Thet r ut hi sof t e na voi de dbe c a us ei ti sugl ya ndunpl e a s a nt .  Ne ve ra ppe a lt ot r ut ha ndr e a l i t yunl e s s youa r epr e pa r e df ort hea nge rt ha tc ome sf ordi s e nc ha nt me nt .  Li f ei ss oha r s ha nddi s t r e s s i ngt ha t pe opl ewhoc a nma nuf a c t ur er oma nc eorc onj ur eupf a nt a s ya r el i keoa s e si nt hede s e r t :  Eve r yone f l oc kst ot he m.The r ei sgr e a tpowe ri nt a ppi ngi nt ot hef a nt a s i e soft hema s s e s .   Law 33 Discover Each Man’s Thumbscrew Eve r yoneha sawe a kne s s ,aga pi nt hec a s t l ewa l l .  Tha twe a kne s si sus ua lya ni ns e c ur i t y,a n unc ont r ol l a bl ee mot i onorne e d;i tc a na l s obeas ma l ls e c r e tpl e a s ur e .  Ei t he rwa y,onc ef ound,i ti sa t humbs c r e wyo uc a nt ur nt oyoura dva nt a ge .     Law 34 Be Royal in your Own Fashion: Act like a King to be treated like one Thewa yyouc a r r yyour s e l fwi l lof t e nde t e r mi nehowyoua r et r e a t e d;I nt hel ongr un,a ppe a r i ng vul ga rorc ommonwi l lma kepe opl edi s r e s pe c tyou.  Foraki ngr e s pe c t shi ms e l fa ndi ns pi r e st he s a mes e nt i me nti not he r s .  Bya c t i ngr e ga l l ya ndc onf i de ntofyourpowe r s ,youma keyour s e l fs e e m de s t i ne dt owe a rac r own.   Law 35 Master the Art of Timing Ne ve rs e e mt obei nahur r y–hur r yi ngbe t r a ysal a c kofc ont r olove ryour s e l f ,a ndove rt i me .   Al wa yss e e mpa t i e nt ,a si fyouknowt ha te ve r yt hi ngwi l lc omet oyoue ve nt ua l l y.  Be c omea de t e c t i veoft her i ghtmome nt ;s ni f foutt h es pi r i toft het i me s ,t het r e ndst ha twi l lc a r r yyout o powe r .  Le a r nt os t a ndba c kwhe nt het i mei snotye tr i pe ,a ndt os t r i kef i e r c e l ywhe ni tha sr e a c he d f r ui t i on.   Law 36

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Disdain Things you cannot have: Ignoring them is the best Revenge Bya c knowl e dgi ngape t t ypr obl e myougi vei te xi s t e nc ea ndc r e di bi l i t y.  Themor ea t t e nt i onyoupa y a ne ne my,t hes t r onge ryouma kehi m;a ndas ma l lmi s t a kei sof t e nma dewor s ea ndmor evi s i bl e whe nyout r yt of i xi t .  I ti ss ome t i me sbe s tt ol e a vet hi ngsa l one .  I ft he r ei ss ome t hi ngyouwa n tbut c a nnotha ve ,s howc ont e mptf ori t .  Thel e s si nt e r e s tyour e ve a l ,t hemor es upe r i oryous e e m.   Law 37 Create Compelling Spectacles St r i ki ngi ma ge r ya ndgr a nds ymbol i cge s t ur e sc r e a t et hea ur aofpowe r–e ve r yoner e s pondst o t he m.  St a ges p e c t a c l e sf ort hos ea r oundyou,t he nf ul lofa r r e s t i ngvi s ua l sa ndr a di a nts ymbol st ha t he i ght e nyourp r e s e nc e .  Da z z l e dbya ppe a r a nc e s ,noonewi l lnot i c ewha tyoua r er e a l l ydoi ng. Law 38 Think as you like but Behave like others I fyouma keas howofgoi nga ga i ns tt het i me s ,f l a unt i ngyourunc onve nt i ona li de a sa ndunor t h o dox wa ys ,pe opl ewi l lt hi nkt ha tyouonl ywa n ta t t e nt i ona ndt ha tyoul ookdownupont he m.  The ywi l l f i ndawa yt op uni s hyouf orma ki ngt he mf e e li nf e r i or .  I ti sf a rs a f e rt obl e ndi na ndnur t ur et he c ommont ouc h.Sha r eyouror i gi na l i t yonl ywi t ht ol e r a ntf r i e ndsa ndt hos ewhoa r es ur et oa ppr e c i a t e youruni que ne s s . Law 39 Stir up Waters to Catch Fish Ange ra nde mot i ona r es t r a t e gi c a l l yc ount e r pr oduc t i ve .  Youmus ta l wa yss t a yc a l ma ndobj e c t i ve .   Buti fyouc a nma keyoure ne mi e sa ngr ywhi l es t a yi ngc a l myour s e l f ,youga i nade c i de da dva nt a ge .   Pu tyoure ne mi e sof f ba l a nc e :Fi ndt hec h i nki nt he i rva ni t yt hr oughwhi c hyouc a nr a t t l et he ma nd youhol dt hes t r i ngs . Law 40 Despise the Free Lunch Wha ti sof f e r e df orf r e ei sda nge r ous–i tu s ua l l yi nvol ve se i t he rat r i c korahi dde nobl i ga t i on.  Wha t ha swor t hi swor t hpa yi ngf or .  Bypa yi ngyourownwa yyous t a yc l e a rofgr a t i t ude ,gui l t ,a nd de c e i t .  I ti sa l s oof t e nwi s et opa yt hef ul lpr i c e–t he r ei snoc ut t i ngc or ne r swi t he xc e l l e nc e .  Be l a vi s hwi t hyourmone ya ndke e pi tc i r c ul a t i ng,f orge ne r os i t yi sas i gna ndama gne tf orpowe r . Law 41 Avoid Stepping into a Great Man’s Shoes Wha tha ppe nsf i r s ta l wa ysa ppe a r sbe t t e ra ndmor eor i gi na lt ha nwha tc ome sa f t e r .  I fyous uc c e e da gr e a tma norha v eaf a mouspa r e nt ,youwi l lha vet oa c c ompl i s hdoubl et he i ra c hi e ve me nt st o out s hi net he m.  Donotge tl os ti nt he i rs h a dow,ors t uc ki napa s tnotofyourownma ki ng:  Es t a bl i s h yourownna mea ndi de nt i t ybyc ha ngi ngc our s e .  Sl a yt heove r be a r i ngf a t he r ,di s pa r a gehi sl e ga c y, a ndga i npowe rbys hi ni ngi nyourownwa y.

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Law 42 Strike the Shepherd and the Sheep will Scatter Tr oubl ec a nof t e nbet r a c e dt oas i ngl es t r ongi ndi vi dua l–t hes t i r r e r ,t hea r r oga ntunde r l i ng,t h e poi s one dofgoodwi l l .  I fyoua l l ows uc hpe opl er oomt oope r a t e ,ot he r swi l ls uc c umbt ot he i r i nf l ue nc e .  Donotwa i tf ort het r oubl e st h e yc a us et omul t i pl y,donott r yt one got i a t ewi t ht he m– t he ya r ei r r e de e ma bl e .  Ne ut r a l i z et he i ri nf l ue nc ebyi s ol a t i ngorba ni s hi ngt he m.  St r i kea tt hes our c e oft het r oubl ea ndt hes he e pwi l ls c a t t e r . Law 43 Work on the Hearts and Minds of Others Coe r c i onc r e a t e sar e a c t i ont ha twi l le ve nt ua l l ywor ka ga i ns tyou.  Youmus ts e duc eot he r si nt o wa nt i ngt omov ei nyourdi r e c t i on.  Ape r s onyouha ves e duc e dbe c ome syourl oya lpa wn.  Andt he wa yt os e duc eot he r si st oope r a t eont he i ri ndi vi dua lps yc hol ogi e sa ndwe a kne s s e s .  Sof t e nupt he r e s i s t a ntbywor ki ngont he i re mot i ons ,pl a yi ngonwha tt he yhol dde a ra ndwha tt he yf e a r .  I gnor e t hehe a r t sa ndmi ndsofot he r sa ndt he ywi l lgr owt oha t eyou. Law 44 Disarm and Infuriate with the Mirror Effect Themi r r orr e f l e c t sr e a l i t y,buti ti sa l s ot h epe r f e c tt oolf orde c e pt i on:Whe nyoumi r r oryour e ne mi e s ,doi nge xa c t l ya st he ydo,t he yc a nnotf i gur eoutyours t r a t e gy.  TheMi r r orEf f e c tmoc ks a ndhumi l i a t e st he m,ma ki ngt he move r r e a c t .  Byhol di ngupami r r ort ot he i rps yc he s ,yous e d u c e t he mwi t ht hei l l us i ont ha tyous ha r et he i rva l ue s ;byhol di ngupami r r ort ot he i ra c t i ons ,yout e a c h t he mal e s s on.  Fe wc a nr e s i s tt hepowe rofMi r r orEf f e c t . Law 45 Preach the Need for Change, but Never Reform too much at Once Eve r yoneunde r s t a ndst hene e df orc ha ngei nt hea bs t r a c t ,butont heda yt oda yl e ve lpe opl ea r e c r e a t ur e sofha b i t .  Toomuc hi nnova t i oni st r a uma t i c ,a ndwi l ll e a dt or e vol t .  I fyoua r ene wt oa pos i t i onofpowe r ,ora nout s i de rt r yi ngt obui l dapowe rba s e ,ma keas howofr e s pe c t i ngt heol d wa yofdoi ngt hi ngs .  I fc ha ngei sne c e s s a r y,ma kei tf e e ll i keage nt l ei mpr ove me ntont hepa s t . Law 46 Never appear too Perfect Appe a r i ngbe t t e rt ha not he r si sa l wa ysda n ge r ous ,butmos tda nge r ousofa l li st oa ppe a rt oha veno f a ul t sorwe a kne s s e s .  Envyc r e a t e ss i l e nte ne mi e s .  I ti ss ma r tt ooc c a s i ona l l ydi s pl a yde f e c t s ,a nd a dmi tt oha r ml e s svi c e s ,i nor de rt ode f l e c te nvya nda ppe a rmor ehuma na nda ppr oa c ha bl e .  Onl y godsa ndt hede a dc a ns e e mpe r f e c twi t hi mpuni t y. Law 47 Do not go Past the Mark you Aimed for; In Victory, Learn when to Stop Themome ntofvi c t or yi sof t e nt hemome ntofgr e a t e s tpe r i l .  I nt hehe a tofvi c t or y,a r r oga nc ea nd

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ove r c onf i de nc ec a npus hyoupa s tt hegoa lyouha da i me df or ,a ndbygoi ngt oof a r ,youma kemor e e ne mi e st ha ny oude f e a t .  Donota l l ows u c c e s st ogot oyourhe a d.  The r ei snos ubs t i t ut ef or s t r a t e gya ndc a r e f ulpl a nni ng.  Se tagoa l ,a ndwhe nyour e a c hi t ,s t op. Law 48 Assume Formlessness Byt a ki ngas ha pe ,byha vi ngavi s i bl epl a n,youope nyour s e l ft oa t t a c k.  I ns t e a doft a ki ngaf or mf or youre ne myt ogr a s p,ke e pyour s e l fa da pt a bl ea ndont hemove .  Ac c e ptt hef a c tt ha tnot hi ngi s c e r t a i na ndnol a wi sf i xe d.  Thebe s twa yt opr ot e c tyour s e l fi st obea sf l ui da ndf or ml e s sa swa t e r ; ne ve rbe tons t a bi l i t yorl a s t i ngor de r .  Eve r yt hi ngc ha nge s .  

   

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