I’ve read Machiavelli’s “The Prince”. I’ve studied devious power politics through history with things like Nazi Germany, Stalin and pretty much the entire history of Russian, China and Mao, etc. I’ve been given some personal instruction from a former military intelligence officer. I’ve watched “The Lion in Winter”, “Millers Crossing” and dozens more films like them, and written fiction as well, but I feel the need to be more devious. Could people offer both practical advise and suggestions on source material to increase my deviousness?
Actually, one of the first lessons in deviousness is not to let people know what you really want. Why not assume I want everything, money, power, revenge, overthrowing all governments in the world, etc. I’m sure all of it will be helpful to the specific situations I want to be devious about.
You’ve got the right idea. In general, if you want power, you must convince people to hand it to you. They will only do this if they believe you to be competent, decent, and overall trustworthy - so you must genuinely be these things, until it is prudent to be otherwise. Note that one of the best ways to ensure you are viewed as trustworthy is to earn trust by acting faithfully when you could betray others to your own advantage. Never stab a man in the back unless you’re certain to end not only the man, but all those who might object to his ending. Short of that, be a good and loyal friend.
Let Richard Gloucester be your mentor. Clothe your naked villainy in old odd ends stolen of holy writ, or such other garments as seem best. I rather like Ian Richardson’s film adaptation of Richard III, but there’s no substitute for a stage production. Gloucester’s spiritual successor, Francis Urquhart, could also teach you much - go watch “House of Cards.” It does you little good to spread rumor and innuendo in furtherance of your goals - it often comes back to bite you. Let others think or speak as they may - you could not possibly comment.
Actually an even better example of who I’d like to emulate: Eleanor of AquitaineShe died aged 82 after an entire life (from childhood) of the greatest intrigue, conspiracy, defeats and reversals imaginable. I dislike monarchy, but here is a woman I will always call a Queen.
I’m my opinion deviousness is rife in humanity, just with little skill. So I doubt the need for an arch nemesis. In terms of World domination, comic book weapons wouldn’t be very helpful, as I’m looking for a bit more practical advise.
Not as in terms of deviousness, and frankly even in terms of capability, freeze rays would rank pretty low on the list of comic book weapons that would advance world domination. Planetary mind control devices would probably be the top of the list, the deviousness would come in conning someone out of being Emperor of earth, as I sure can’t invent the damn thing.
I have the perfect plan to increase your deviousness. It works every time. Guaranteed results, and a steal at only $100,000 per program. Get your cash together and PM me for details.
Certainly, but it would probably be better if you gave me the bank account numbers and any identifying information I need first, I’ll get to you as soon as possible.
Another source is the Art of War by Sun Tzu. I found it to be far superior to the Prince, since Machiavelli is a somewhat of a sadist, so his mechanations tend to be focused on giving emotional pain. Sun Tzu, on the other hand, just uses cold, hard logic without emotion. In the Clavelle version, one story is (paraphrased from memory):
Sun Tzu was called by the Emperor to be the general for his army, and the Emperor asked for a little demonstration. Sun Tzu had the Emperor’s concubines line up in formation, and appointed the Emperor’s favorite concubine as field commander. He instructed them that for one beat of the drum, they should turn left, for two beats, they should turn right. When the drum was hit, the concubines giggled and did nothing. Sun Tzu said, if the order is not understood, then it is the fault of the general. He then demonstrated again what needs to be done, and hit the drum again. Again, the concubines giggled and did nothing. If the general has made the orders clear, and still orders are not followed, then it is the fault of the field commander, and the field commander must be executed immediately. Now, the field commander was the Emperor’s favorite concubine, so the Emperor complained that this was meant only to be a simple demonstration. Sun Tzu explained, the general gets their authority from the Emperor. If the Emperor does not support the general, then the general cannot lead, and I must leave you. The Emperor acquiesced, and his favorite concubine was beheaded, and another concubine was chosen as field commander. This time, when the drum was hit, every concubine turned immediately and crisply. “Now,” said Sun Tzu, “your army is ready for battle.”
I’ve read the Art of War, I should have mentioned that in the introduction. I agree, it’s an essential classic in terms of deviousness. It’s my hope this thread will uncover some similar texts that I have missed in my self-education. I also look forward to suggestions for literature, television, and movies. While suspension of disbelief often makes these works deviousness impractical, impossible, and sometimes unbelievable, some of them are very logical or biographical and offer viable ideas.
I don’t see how that or anything else in Sun Tzu can be described as “devious.” (Except possibly the single chapter defending the use of spies in combat, but that’s a minor point and doesn’t dwell on how to be a spy.)
Also, I don’t remember anything in Machiavelli having anything at all to do with inflicting emotional pain. Using fear as an instrument of power, certainly, but that’s hardly for the sake of sadistic pleasure.
Many others have a different reading. Sun Tzu famously said that a war is won or lost before it is begun. To win that war necessarily required deviousness, sowing confusion and disinformation to your enemies, ensuring your troops are loyal and prepared when the time comes to move, are all practical advise in deviousness. On the actual battlefield, strategy and tactics are vitally connected to deviousness.
Short of that, be a good and loyal friend.