# The 48 Laws of Power: Which one is your favorite? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 6, 2017, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-48-laws-of-power-which-one-is-your-favorite/803714 "2017-12-06T15:56:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2017, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-48-laws-of-power-which-one-is-your-favorite/803714/41 "2017-12-08T06:02:11Z")
As for _The 48 Laws of Power_, it was a big deal a few years back. It’s one of those guidebooks on how you can manipulate other people. The problem is the tricks are pretty obvious. Most people with any intelligence are going to spot what you’re trying to do. So the 49th Law of Power is _“Don’t Aim Too High. Settle for the company of people who are easily impressed.”_ ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2017, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-48-laws-of-power-which-one-is-your-favorite/803714/42 "2017-12-08T08:17:13Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > The problem is the tricks are pretty obvious. Most people with any intelligence are going to spot what you’re trying to do.\* Well, especially obvious if you’re doing the things because you had to read them in a book before you had the idea of doing the things. The activities described in this list work best for people to whom they already come as natural instinct (that is, sociopaths). ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2017, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-48-laws-of-power-which-one-is-your-favorite/803714/43 "2017-12-08T08:35:38Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Well, especially obvious if you’re doing the things because you had to read them in a book before you had the idea of doing the things. > The activities described in this list work best for people to whom they already come as natural instinct (that is, sociopaths). The thing is that books like these are basically telling you how to fake it in situations. If the people who are reading these books had genuine superior abilities, they wouldn’t be trying to fake superior abilities. Now with the help of these books, you might learn some tricks that will fool people who don’t know any better. But you’re not going to fool people with those genuine abilities. They actually know how to do the things that you’re trying to fake knowing how to do. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2017, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-48-laws-of-power-which-one-is-your-favorite/803714/44 "2017-12-08T13:29:08Z")
My favorite law of power? Power = Voltage\*Current (really appreciated when you are out of electricity for two months…) ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2017, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-48-laws-of-power-which-one-is-your-favorite/803714/45 "2017-12-08T16:17:53Z")
My favorite is “Never cheat a Klingon unless you are really sure you can get away with it”. Wait – that’s the Ferengi Rules of Acquisition. Same difference really. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2017, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-48-laws-of-power-which-one-is-your-favorite/803714/46 "2017-12-08T19:00:20Z")
> [@kopek](#): > > My favorite is “Never cheat a Klingon unless you are really sure you can get away with it”. > > Wait – that’s the Ferengi Rules of Acquisition. Same difference really. 😉 But only slightly less well known is this: 'Never go in against a Sicilian when DEATH is on the line! HA! HAHAHA!! HAHAHA! _ugh_ ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2017, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-48-laws-of-power-which-one-is-your-favorite/803714/47 "2017-12-08T19:24:07Z")
They forgot “never hit your mother with a great big stick (it’ll make a bad impression on her mind).” ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2017, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-48-laws-of-power-which-one-is-your-favorite/803714/48 "2017-12-08T20:16:37Z")
I like Law #6: Create an air of mystery. I have only slightly more ability to create an air of mystery about myself than, say, one of the Three Stooges. You’ve got to recognize your limitations, and that’s damn sure one of mine. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2017, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-48-laws-of-power-which-one-is-your-favorite/803714/49 "2017-12-08T20:56:25Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > I like Law #6: Create an air of mystery. > > I have only slightly more ability to create an air of mystery about myself than, say, one of the Three Stooges. You’ve got to recognize your limitations, and that’s damn sure one of mine. 🙂 I tried creating an air of mystery about myself once, but I ended up just passing gas. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2017, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-48-laws-of-power-which-one-is-your-favorite/803714/50 "2017-12-08T22:22:59Z")
Anybody who lives by that is nobody I will associate with. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2017, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-48-laws-of-power-which-one-is-your-favorite/803714/51 "2017-12-09T01:13:52Z")
I like 15. I think it’s right. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2017, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-48-laws-of-power-which-one-is-your-favorite/803714/52 "2017-12-09T02:40:52Z")
Seriously though, here are my thoughts on at lest some of these laws: LAW 1 NEVER OUTSHINE THE MASTER Is it The Laws of Power or The Laws of Being a Sycophant? If you outshine the master, why aren’t you either a) the Master or b) looking for a new Master? Or to paraphrase a quote I once heard, you don’t become a millionaire working for a boss who makes six figures. LAW 2 NEVER PUT TOO MUCH TRUST IN FRIENDS, LEARN HOW TO USE ENEMIES Find better friends. LAW 3 CONCEAL YOUR INTENTIONS Or maybe don’t intend things you feel you need to conceal? LAW 4 ALWAYS SAY LESS THAN NECESSARY Shut the fuck up is always good advice. LAW 5 SO MUCH DEPENDS ON REPUTATION - GUARD IT WITH YOUR LIFE And hire a good PR firm. LAW 6 CREATE AN AIR OF MYSTERY Just like President David Blaine. LAW 7 GET OTHERS TO DO THE WORK FOR YOU, BUT ALWAYS TAKE THE CREDIT Which explains the vast power of every inept middle manager. LAW 8 MAKE OTHER PEOPLE COME TO YOU - USE BAIT IF NECESSARY Worked for Chris Hansen. LAW 9 WIN THROUGH YOUR ACTIONS, NEVER THROUGH ARGUMENT This is good. Except it requires “winning”. LAW 10 INFECTION: AVOID THE UNHAPPY AND UNLUCKY I agree with this. LAW 11 LEARN TO KEEP PEOPLE DEPENDENT ON YOU I think a better way of stating this is to make sure you actually add value without being taken advantage of. LAW 12 USE SELECTIVE HONESTY AND GENEROSITY TO DISARM YOUR VICTIM Nothing more honest and generous than that! LAW 13 WHEN ASKING FOR HELP, APPEAL TO PEOPLE’S SELF-INTEREST, NEVER TO THEIR MERCY OR GRATITUDE Not my circus. Not my monkey. LAW 14 POSE AS A FRIEND, WORK AS A SPY Look, even 007 has Felix Leiter. Jason Borne had Nicky Parsons (who I guess was his ex-girlfriend/intern?) Jack Bauer has Chloe. Ethan Hunt has Luther Stickell. Maybe better advice is find a best friend who IS a spy? LAW 15 CRUSH YOUR ENEMY TOTALLY Drive them before you. Hear the lamentations of the women. LAW 16 USE ABSENCE TO INCREASE RESPECT AND HONOR Well…that would actually explain my seniority at work. LAW 17 KEEP OTHERS IN SUSPENSE: CULTIVATE AN AIR OF UNPREDICTABILITY Wait for it… LAW 18 DO NOT BUILD FORTRESSES TO PROTECT YOURSELF - ISOLATION IS DANGEROUS Powerful people get others to build their fortresses for them. LAW 19 KNOW WHO YOU’RE DEALING WITH - DO NOT OFFEND THE WRONG PERSON Always wise. LAW 20 DO NOT COMMIT TO ANYONE Is this 48 Laws of Power or 48 Laws of Being a Single Guy Living In Manhattan? LAW 21 PLAY A SUCKER TO CATCH A SUCKER - SEEM DUMBER THAN YOUR MARK I don’t understand. LAW 22 USE THE SURRENDER TACTIC: TRANSFORM WEAKNESS INTO POWER Easier to transform power into power. LAW 23 CONCENTRATE YOUR FORCES If you have “forces” you don’t need a stupid list LAW 24 PLAY THE PERFECT COURTIER Nothing more powerful than being the guy who follows The Guy around like his bitch. LAW 25 RE-CREATE YOURSELF Yes…as someone more powerful than the dork you are. LAW 26 KEEP YOUR HANDS CLEAN You’re enemies will appreciate it while you are crushing them. LAW 27 PLAY ON PEOPLE’S NEED TO BELIEVE TO CREATE A CULTLIKE FOLLOWING Contemplate this on the Tree of Woe. LAW 28 ENTER ACTION WITH BOLDNESS This is the sort of thing to do after you already have power. LAW 29 PLAN ALL THE WAY TO THE END Which, if you follow most of this advice, should be along shortly. LAW 30 MAKE YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS SEEM EFFORTLESS What do you mean “seem”? LAW 31 CONTROL THE OPTIONS: GET OTHERS TO PLAY WITH THE CARDS YOU DEAL Again…it requires power in the first place if you want to be dealer. LAW 32 PLAY TO PEOPLE’S FANTASIES Someone did…48 times LAW 33 DISCOVER EACH MAN’S THUMBSCREW Just make sure you’re man enough to turn those screws. LAW 34 BE ROYAL IN YOUR OWN FASHION: ACT LIKE A KING TO BE TREATED LIKE ONE Because everyone loves that! LAW 35 MASTER THE ART OF TIMING LAW 36 DISDAIN THINGS YOU CANNOT HAVE: IGNORING THEM IS THE BEST REVENGE That’s stupid. Timing is everything! LAW 37 CREATE COMPELLING SPECTACLES 🆒 LAW 38 THINK AS YOU LIKE BUT BEHAVE LIKE OTHERS Power is the ability to behave as you like. LAW 39 STIR UP WATERS TO CATCH FISH Too hard to get the smell out. LAW 40 DESPISE THE FREE LUNCH I mean…I already had the fish. LAW 41 AVOID STEPPING INTO A GREAT MAN’S SHOES Those are the only shoes I own. LAW 42 STRIKE THE SHEPHERD AND THE SHEEP WILL SCATTER True power is striking the sheep so hard the shepherd scatters. LAW 43 WORK ON THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF OTHERS …especially with those rusty tools from the shed. LAW 44 DISARM AND INFURIATE WITH THE MIRROR EFFECT Like this? DIƧ∀ʁW ∀ИD IИԷꓵʁI∀ꓕE MIꓕH ꓕHE WIʁʁOʁ EԷԷECꓕ LAW 45 PREACH THE NEED FOR CHANGE, BUT NEVER REFORM TOO MUCH AT ONCE Then what’s the point in having power? LAW 46 NEVER APPEAR TOO PERFECT This one is nearly impossible. LAW 47 DO NOT GO PAST THE MARK YOU AIMED FOR; IN VICTORY, LEARN WHEN TO STOP At total victory! LAW 48 ASSUME FORMLESSNESS * * * ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2017, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-48-laws-of-power-which-one-is-your-favorite/803714/54 "2017-12-09T17:15:39Z")
Bravo,\*\* msmith537\*\*, bravo. ---
**Author:** ![Kelevra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/97f17d/32.png) [@Kelevra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kelevra)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-48-laws-of-power-which-one-is-your-favorite/803714/55 "2017-12-11T20:45:36Z")
**mssmith537** , I LOLed at your response to Law 35! ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-48-laws-of-power-which-one-is-your-favorite/803714/56 "2017-12-11T21:31:11Z")
> [@DkTrdGuy](#): > > My all time favorite book is The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene. > … > If there’s a party or bar full of strangers, I limit myself to two drinks. … Hi DkTrdGuy! I see you’ve posted just once to this thread, so I fear you will never read my opinion. My opinion is that any book that results in the above decision is obviously flawed to say the least. Live it up a little. Don’t let that book’s lessons scare you. Maybe buy a round if you’re feeling timid or nervous. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-48-laws-of-power-which-one-is-your-favorite/803714/57 "2017-12-12T04:24:29Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > That whole list, and its premise, is garbage. Law 1 of Power is “Never talk about the Laws of Power, because only a moron telegraphs his entire strategy to his adversaries.” > > Also, Geocities called from 1996 and would like its website layout back. :dubious: 🙂 I thought there was NOOOOOOOOO rule (er, I mean law) 6. Actually I’m pretty sure it’s The **49** Laws of Power, the last one being: ALWAYS CAPITULATE, GROVELLINGLY, WITH THE “LY” ADVERBS. In San Marino however, this law is interchanged (only during Feast of Immaculate Conception) with: NEVER WEDGIE YOUR BOSS. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-48-laws-of-power-which-one-is-your-favorite/803714/58 "2017-12-12T09:22:19Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > [Here are some more power laws.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_law#Examples) I like yours a lot better. ---
**Author:** ![DkTrdGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5fc32e/32.png) [@DkTrdGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DkTrdGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-48-laws-of-power-which-one-is-your-favorite/803714/59 "2017-12-31T00:02:54Z")
msmith537, I like your style. What field are you in? Maybe we could network! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-48-laws-of-power-which-one-is-your-favorite/803714.md?page=2)