21 replies
I see something very cool on this forum and in this section, it is mainly dominated by threads on positive thinking and motivational quotes and people.

I think positive thinking is the right mind set but when positive thinking clashes with business, money and power, positive thinking will only get you so far.

I recently read the book 48 laws of power by Robert Greene and it seemed to me like it is the manual to the tactical side of gaining power at any cost.

Has anybody in here read it and if so any insights as it seems very literal with every law.

in case you are wondering here are the 48 laws:
  1. # Never outshine the master ...
    # Never put too much trust in friends; learn how to use enemies.
    # Conceal your intentions.
    # Always say less than necessary.
    # So much depends on reputation. Guard it with your life.
    # Court attention at all costs.
    # Get others to do the work for you, but always take the credit.
    # Make other people come to you; use bait if necessary.
    # Win through your actions, never through argument.
    # Infection: avoid the unhappy and unlucky.
    # Learn to keep people dependent on you.
    # Use selective honesty and generosity to disarm your victim.
    # When asking for help, appeal to people's self-interests, never to their mercy or gratitude.
    # Pose as a friend, work as a spy.
    # Crush your enemy totally.
    # Use absence to increase respect and honor.
    # Keep others in suspended terror: cultivate an air of unpredictability.
    # Do not build fortresses to protect yourself. Isolation is dangerous.
    # Know who you're dealing with; do not offend the wrong person.
    # Do not commit to anyone.
    # Play a sucker to catch a sucker: play dumber than your mark.
    # Use the surrender tactic: transform weakness into power.
    # Concentrate your forces.
    # Play the perfect courtier.
    # Re-create yourself.
    # Keep your hands clean.
    # Play on people's need to believe to create a cultlike following.
    # Enter action with boldness.
    # Plan all the way to the end.
    # Make your accomplishments seem effortless.
    # Control the options: get others to play with the cards you deal.
    # Play to people's fantasies.
    # Discover each man's thumbscrew.
    # Be royal in your fashion: act like a king to be treated like one.
    # Master the art of timing.
    # Disdain things you cannot have: Ignoring them is the best revenge.
    # Create compelling spectacles.
    # Think as you like but behave like others.
    # Stir up waters to catch fish.
    # Despise the free lunch.
    # Avoid stepping into a great man's shoes.
    # Strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter.
    # Work on the hearts and minds of others.
    # Disarm and infuriate with the mirror effect.
    # Preach the need for change, but never reform too much at once.
    # Never appear perfect.
    # Do not go past the mark you aimed for; in victory, learn when to stop.
    # Assume formlessness.
#laws #power
  • Profile picture of the author Simon Ashari
    Reading through these 48 laws reminds me of Steve Jobs (who's biography I also read).

    He too gained power over his life.

    -Simon
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    • Profile picture of the author DGFletcher
      Originally Posted by mrinternational View Post

      It kinda makes me feel like I'm the bad guy just knowing this. Lol
      YES!!! That is exactly my opinion. The biggest reason I don't initiate 90% of these is that feeling of 'if I do, there'll never be anyone to come home to that cares about me the way I am." Ya know Disney's Jafar/Iago bit? I would love an Iago...

      Reminds me of Machiavelli. Except that I read somewhere that Machiavelli wrote his book as a farce?? and haven't read it because of that. Anybody know if that's accurate or not?

      Originally Posted by Simon Ashari View Post

      Reading through these 48 laws reminds me of Steve Jobs (who's biography I also read).

      He too gained power over his life.

      -Simon
      There's a story I've told quite a few people about Steve Jobs versus a chick named Emily Gershwin, who was an elderly woman who died in my neighborhood. Everyone I've told it to comes out with the same thing: they'd rather be Emily Gershwin.

      Here's the story:

      Steve Jobs, to the world, helped millions and millions of people. Ipods, iPhones, jobs from iPhones, jobs from iPods, fun, games for everyone. In person, he was a total jerk and even brought some of his employees to tears.

      Emily Gershwin, to the world, helped no one except the kids she gave birth to and her grandkids, and even then, just as much as you'd expect anyone to 'help' someone by procreating. In person, she was a darling, sweet old lady, just like you'd expect a darling sweet old Mormon lady to be.

      And everyone wants to be Emily Gershwin... Seriously. My Dad wants to be Emily Gershwin instead of Steve Jobs. A guy I got into a random 2 hour discussion wants to be Emily Gershwin instead of Steve Jobs. My professor at college wants to be Emily Gershwin instead of Steve Jobs...

      WHY????

      The only thing I don't like about Steve Jobs is that he died of cancer and by my personal mental discipline whatever, cancer means something about a person's internal conflicts. So if I can be Steve Jobs minus the internal conflicts...?
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      • Profile picture of the author Simon Ashari
        Originally Posted by DGFletcher View Post



        ...



        And everyone wants to be Emily Gershwin... Seriously. My Dad wants to be Emily Gershwin instead of Steve Jobs. A guy I got into a random 2 hour discussion wants to be Emily Gershwin instead of Steve Jobs. My professor at college wants to be Emily Gershwin instead of Steve Jobs...

        WHY????

        The only thing I don't like about Steve Jobs is that he died of cancer and by my personal mental discipline whatever, cancer means something about a person's internal conflicts. So if I can be Steve Jobs minus the internal conflicts...?
        Indeed, jobs made the lives of millions better (including us on this forum).

        His legacy will last quite a bit longer than his life.

        -Simon
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  • Profile picture of the author buckeyes09
    I really, really liked the book. The Laws are more applicable in cut-throat corporations, politics, and the military.

    I found many were kind of non-applicable for entrepreneurs.
    Signature

    Christian

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  • Profile picture of the author zacharybriggs
    Great stuff! I will have it printed, thank you.
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    • Profile picture of the author mrflizo
      This book is certainly a part of my library. I did find it a bit cut-throat in some areas but i rarely get books where everything in it is applicable.

      I just take little parts here and there and apply it to my life. You know take what you can use and ditch the rest.
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      • Profile picture of the author buckeyes09
        Originally Posted by mrflizo View Post

        This book is certainly a part of my library. I did find it a bit cut-throat in some areas but i rarely get books where everything in it is applicable.

        I just take little parts here and there and apply it to my life. You know take what you can use and ditch the rest.
        Oh yeah, make no mistake, this and the Art of War are prodigious for specific purposes, it's just that it reads too hardcore into corporate takeovers.
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        Christian

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  • Profile picture of the author mrinternational
    I thought thesame thing @ buckeyes09 it seems it was geared toward military, politics and cut throat corps. Until I realized that these dynamics play out in normal non transcendental situations everyday. Ie small problems with neighbors etc.

    You just have to be a little more perspicacious.
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    • Profile picture of the author buckeyes09
      Originally Posted by mrinternational View Post

      I thought thesame thing @ buckeyes09 it seems it was geared toward military, politics and cut throat corps. Until I realized that these dynamics play out in normal non transcendental situations everyday. Ie small problems with neighbors etc.

      You just have to be a little more perspicacious.
      No doubt, but is it worth it most times? I've employed these strategies for minor things, but it's often too powerful to be worthwhile.
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      Christian

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  • Profile picture of the author mrinternational
    It kinda makes me feel like I'm the bad guy just knowing this. Lol
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  • Profile picture of the author O0o0O
    Cut throat is true. But it is evident that the methods do work. Hey, this book is about how to get power, and that's exactly what he showed us how to do.
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  • Profile picture of the author laurahogue
    thanks for the share
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    • Profile picture of the author JoeUK
      I keep meaning to get this book, I have the more recent Robert Greene and 50 Cent book (which isn't the best in the world but still has some excellent stuff in it) so it's cool that you've summarized the 48 laws here for us! I shall ponder over them...
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  • Profile picture of the author speedbird
    I have read it several times but thanks for sharing the excerpts
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  • Profile picture of the author icegin
    Interesting read. Some of these "laws of power" actually remind me of the writings in Sun Tzu's The Art of War.
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  • You guys might find his 'sequel', The Art of Seduction more applicable than the 48 laws of power, though both apply to all aspects of life.

    I personally have paperback copies of both (I read them too much to have them as e-books), and The Art of Seduction can be VERY helpful in gaining clients, and also in other areas of your life that you want more influence over.

    If you're simply looking to become more influential and popular, Dale Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Influence People" is a very good book. Like Robert Greene's books, Carnegie gives examples of his principles so you can understand what it is he's trying to convey to you.


    Ben.
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  • Profile picture of the author calebciantar
    Awesome share, thanks for this.
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  • Profile picture of the author mrinternational
    There is a companion book to the art of War which is 33 strategies of War which I am about to read sometime soon I already bought it but I have a bunch of things to do before I start with that one. Any thoughts on that one?

    P.S. Thanks everybody for other good reads and thanks for the input.

    P.S.S. I too agree with those thoughts on cancer, depending where the cancer is, lays its cause, and usually it is in therapy that the troubled area comes out.
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  • Profile picture of the author mollydavitt
    Good laws and good reminders as well. thanks for sharing this.
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  • Profile picture of the author weinalejandro
    Pretty huge list, thanks for this.
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  • Profile picture of the author braydenblake
    Good share, thanks for bringing this up.
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