The final part of the summary of the book The 48 Laws of Power which advises you on the path to attaining power in any field. Here are the principles and philosophies a person of power should aim to have.
Note: Part 1 and Part 2 of this series summarizing the 48 Laws of Power are linked at the bottom of this page
Powerful deals
Whether this be a negotiation, a meeting, or a business deal; Greene’s guide tells us this: Make them come to you, use bait if necessary(8). Your opponent will be wary, easy to tip emotionally into making a deal, when they are in your rooms. You can use a previously discussed law(from part 2 ie law 31) to convince them. If you must distract your opponent to carry out a plan behind their back or to attain information, distract them with kindness, a gift, or honesty(12). Such a first impression is a lasting one. However, be wary of others’ kindness, and commitments(20). Gifts will obligate you emotionally, and commitments will make you less revered if you belong to certain people.
People you can look to deal with; and ones you should avoid(40):
As you look to meet your “soldiers'” internal desires(law 43, part 1), you will see that the greedy only want wealth and are easy to deceive into helping you when you promise it to them for their services. Don’t waste your time on someone who keeps looking to lower the prices of your services. Avoid trade with the sadists, infamous for returning your money terribly late. Also avoid the people pleasers because their “givings” will emotionally burden you.
Seem dumb and wait for the opportunity to reveal the opposite(21). They won’t see you as a threat, they won’t try to take you down until you reach power.
Tell people what they want to hear(32). Similar to the law about creating spectacles(law 37, part 1), use your words to keep your promises vague but seemingly transformative.
If you are in an argument with someone, choose to fake giving in unless the argument is important: then, choose to display a story or a spectacle to help them adapt your point(9) over choosing to prove it.
When looking for powerful allies:
Appeal to their self interest(13). A give and take is the only plausible trade, remember that; no help is free.
Delegate(7). Hire people who have the skills you don’t or rely on historical successes to create yours. But always put your name above the others’ if you want to rise with the aura of efficiency and power.
Always say less than necessary(4). You create an aura, and when you let people begin, you understand their intentions better.
Act like a king to be treated like one(34). The aura reflects outwards. Dignity and respect starts from within.
Be bold in your demands and ways(28). You obviously won’t get what you asked for if your demand is that bold, but people will perceive you as confident, and you will still get more than what you would have got if you had asked for something moderate.
Ignore the things you cannot have and the things that annoy you(36). Rise above to the air of superiority.
When there are problems in your “empire”, look for the one thing causing it in all the confusion that encues(42). They thrive on using scapegoats, and are the ones that really hold the power. Find them, and get rid of them.
Master the art of time(35):
Long time: not acting-not blundering, slow building, staying calm. Forcing time: upsetting another’s time by imbalancing their emotions or plans- slow, then sudden pressure. End time: Annihilating with everything you have until you gain what you want.
book: https://books.google.co.in/books/about/The_Concise_48_Laws_Of_Power.html?id=kOjAEAAAQBAJ&redir_esc=y
image: https://fadly_romdhani.artstation.com/projects/8lzl1Q