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    The 48 Laws of Power (Robert Greene)

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    The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene Originally published in 1998, The 48 Laws of Power is a modern classic in the realm of strategy, influence, and human behavior. Drawing from 3,000 years of history, Greene distills the philosophies and tactics of powerful figures—from Machiavelli to Sun Tzu, Napoleon, and Queen Elizabeth I—into 48 concise “laws” designed to help readers understand, navigate, and master the dynamics of power.

    Each law is accompanied by historical anecdotes and real-world examples, illustrating how the principles can be applied (or avoided) in both personal and professional life. Some of the most famous laws include:

    • Law 1: Never Outshine the Master
    • Law 3: Conceal Your Intentions
    • Law 15: Crush Your Enemy Totally
    • Law 33: Discover Each Man’s Thumbscrew

    Controversial, bold, and unapologetically pragmatic, the book has been praised for its insight into power structures—and criticized for encouraging manipulation. Still, it remains a bestselling guide for those seeking to understand ambition, leadership, influence, and human psychology.

    FAQs

    • Is this book promoting manipulation or unethical behavior?
    • The book doesn't tell readers to be evil — it presents a realistic, often harsh view of how power operates. Robert Greene has said his goal is to help readers recognize manipulation, protect themselves, and strategically navigate complex social dynamics.
    • Who is this book for?
    • It’s popular with business professionals, entrepreneurs, artists, politicians, and anyone interested in influence, human behavior, and social strategy.
    • Do I need to follow all 48 laws?
    • No — it’s not a checklist. Think of the book as a toolkit or survival manual for power games. You can selectively apply or recognize laws based on the situation.
    • Are the laws based on real history?
    • Yes! Each law is illustrated with stories from historical figures like Louis XIV, Napoleon, Catherine the Great, Machiavelli, and Sun Tzu.
    • What are the most famous or useful laws?
    • Some of the most widely discussed laws include:
    • Law 1: Never outshine the master
    • Law 3: Conceal your intentions
    • Law 6: Court attention at all cost
    • Law 15: Crush your enemy totally
    • Law 33: Discover each man's thumbscrew
    • Law 48: Assume formlessness

    Quotes

    • “Never outshine the master.”
    • Make your superiors feel superior. Outshining them may trigger insecurity — and cost you.
    • “Conceal your intentions.”
    • Keep people off balance and in the dark. By revealing too much, you give up control.
    • “Reputation is the cornerstone of power.”
    • Protect your reputation at all costs — it defines your strength before you say a word.
    • “Crush your enemy totally.”
    • A weakened enemy will recover. A destroyed one won’t. Mercy invites revenge.
    • “Strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter.”
    • Target the source of influence, and the rest will fall apart.
    • “Power is not what you do, but what you make others think you are capable of.”
    • Perception can be more powerful than reality.
    1. 48 Laws of Power
      4,917 Words
    2. PREFACE
      4,395 Words
    3. LAW 1: Never Outshine The Master
      4,703 Words
    4. LAW 2: The Power of Strategic Trust
      4,965 Words
    5. LAW 3: Conceal Your Intentions
      4,306 Words
    7. LAW 4: The Power of Measured Speech
      4,136 Words
    8. LAW 5: So Much Depends On Reputation – Guard It With Your Life
      4,264 Words
    9. LAW 6: Court Attention at All Costs
      4,515 Words
    10. LAW 7: The Power of Leveraging Others’ Work
      4,191 Words
    11. LAW 8: Make Other People Come to You – Use Bait if Necessary
      4,443 Words
    12. LAW 9: The Power of Actions Over Words
      4,119 Words
    13. LAW 10: Infection: Avoid the Unhappy and Unlucky
      4,328 Words
    14. LAW 11: The Power of Being Indispensable
      4,174 Words
    15. LAW 12: The Power of Selective Honesty
      4,040 Words
    16. LAW 13: When Asking for Help, Appeal to People’s Self-interest, Never to Their Mercy or Gratitude
      4,605 Words
    17. LAW 14: Pose as a Friend, Work as a Spy
      4,323 Words
    18. LAW 15
      59 Words
    19. LAW 16: The Power of Strategic Absence
      4,227 Words
    20. LAW 17: Keep Others in Suspended Terror: Cultivate an Air of Unpredictability
      4,448 Words
    21. LAW 18: The Dangers of Isolation
      4,131 Words
    22. LAW 19: The Danger of Misjudging Others
      4,847 Words
    23. LAW 20: The Power of Non-Commitment
      4,354 Words
    24. LAW 21: The Power of Underestimation
      4,239 Words
    25. LAW 22: The Power of Strategic Surrender
      4,478 Words
    26. LAW 23: Concentrate Your Forces
      4,300 Words
    27. LAW 24: The Art of the Courtier
      4,453 Words
    28. LAW 25: Re-Create Yourself
      4,381 Words
    29. LAW 26
      45 Words
    30. LAW 27: Harnessing Power Through Belief and Influence
      4,695 Words
    31. LAW 28: Enter Action with Boldness
      4,709 Words
    32. LAW 29: Plan All The Way To The End
      4,723 Words
    33. LAW 30: Mastering the Art of Effortlessness
      4,550 Words
    34. LAW 31: Mastering the Art of Controlling Choices
      4,160 Words
    35. LAW 32: Play to People’s Fantasies
      4,360 Words
    36. LAW 33: Discover Each Man’s Thumbscrew
      4,331 Words
    37. LAW 34: Be Royal in Your Own Fashion: Act Like a King to Be Treated Like One
      5,581 Words
    38. LAW 35: Master the Art of Timing
      5,879 Words
    39. LAW 36: Disdain Things You Cannot Have: Ignoring Them Is The Best Revenge
      4,712 Words
    40. LAW 37: The Power of Spectacle in Influence and Control
      4,352 Words
    41. LAW 38: The Power of Conformity and Independent Thinking
      4,563 Words
    42. LAW 39: Stir Up Waters to Catch Fish
      5,067 Words
    43. LAW 40: Strategic Wealth and the Power of Avoiding Free Offers
      4,326 Words
    44. LAW 41: Successor’s Path to Power and Legacy
      4,400 Words
    45. LAW 42: Strike the Shepherd and the Sheep Will Scatter
      5,027 Words
    46. Law 43: Influence and Persuasion for Lasting Power
      4,183 Words
    47. LAW 44
      45 Words
    48. Law 45: Preach the Need for Change, But Never Reform Too Much at Once
      5,412 Words
    49. LAW 46: The 48 Laws of Power
      5,927 Words
    50. LAW 47: Do Not Go Past The Mark You Aimed For; In Victory, Learn When To Stop
      4,889 Words
    51. Law 48: Assume Formlessness
      4,475 Words
    52. SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
      95 Words
    Ongoing January 8, 2025Jan 8, '25 215.9 K Everyone

    Quotes

    “Never outshine the master.”

    Make your superiors feel superior. Outshining them may trigger insecurity — and cost you.

    “Conceal your intentions.”

    Keep people off balance and in the dark. By revealing too much, you give up control.

    “Reputation is the cornerstone of power.”

    Protect your reputation at all costs — it defines your strength before you say a word.

    “Crush your enemy totally.”

    A weakened enemy will recover. A destroyed one won’t. Mercy invites revenge.

    “Strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter.”

    Target the source of influence, and the rest will fall apart.

    “Power is not what you do, but what you make others think you are capable of.”

    Perception can be more powerful than reality.

    FAQs

    Is this book promoting manipulation or unethical behavior?

    The book doesn't tell readers to be evil — it presents a realistic, often harsh view of how power operates. Robert Greene has said his goal is to help readers recognize manipulation, protect themselves, and strategically navigate complex social dynamics.

    It’s popular with business professionals, entrepreneurs, artists, politicians, and anyone interested in influence, human behavior, and social strategy.

    暂无答案

    Are the laws based on real history?

    Yes! Each law is illustrated with stories from historical figures like Louis XIV, Napoleon, Catherine the Great, Machiavelli, and Sun Tzu.

    Note