The 48 laws of power

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 48 Laws of Power or Power - The 48 Laws of Power (English original title: The 48 Laws of Power ) is a book from 1998. It is the first book by the American writer Robert Greene , was through his experiences as Screenwriter in Hollywood designed and should show ways to gain or strengthen social influence. The book was a bestseller both in the US and internationally and has now been translated into 24 languages.

root

Robert Greene was inspired for his book by the doctrine of power processes founded by Niccolò Machiavelli . Machiavelli's The Prince in particular can be described as the ancestor of the work. In addition, it contains influences from related works by writers such as Baltasar Gracián (Art of Sophistication), Sūn Wŭ , Miyamoto Musashi , Hán Fēi , Giacomo Casanova and many more.

Core topic

Robert Greene himself describes his book as "the ultimate encyclopedia of power". Using examples from history, he develops laws of power, the observance of which is intended to increase the power and personal status of the reader. Failure to follow them will diminish one's influence and reputation. Greene calls these laws timeless and claims that they apply in all cultures and - regardless of the size of the community - in all human communities.

Content structure

The German edition has 535 pages. After an eight-page introduction, the 48 laws follow. Each law has its own chapter. First you will find the respective law with an associated concise explanation, each comprising four to ten sentences. This is followed by historical anecdotes about compliance and non-compliance with the law. At the center of these examples are historical figures such as Otto von Bismarck , Catherine the Great , Cleopatra , Alexander the Great , Mao Zedong , Haile Selassie , John F. Kennedy , Henry Kissinger and various con artists as well as old Chinese statesmen. Greene then explains the respective “keys to power” in a corresponding section. Finally, the eventual “reversal” of the law follows. This shows in which special situations the observance is disadvantageous and when exactly the opposite procedure can be an advantage.

The 48 laws

The following is a list of the 48 laws, as they precede the respective chapters in the book:

  • Law 1: Never overshadow the Master.
  • Law 2: Never trust your friends too much - use your enemies.
  • Law 3: Always Keep Your Intentions Secret.
  • Law 4: Always Say Less Than Necessary.
  • Law 5: Nothing works without a good reputation - protect it by all means.
  • Law 6: get noticed at all costs.
  • Law 7: Make Others Work For You, Always Get Credit For It.
  • Law 8: Let Others Come To You - Lure Them When Needed.
  • Law 9: Actions Count, Not Arguments.
  • Law 10: Contagion: Avoid the unhappy and the unfortunate.
  • Law 11: make people dependent on you.
  • Law 12: Disarm Your Victim With Purposeful Honesty and Generosity.
  • Law 13: If you need help, appeal to self-interest.
  • Law 14: act like a friend but act like a spy.
  • Law 15: Destroy Your Enemies Completely.
  • Law 16: Shine through Absence to Increase Respect and Reputation.
  • Law 17: Terrify Others: Cultivate the Aura of Unpredictability.
  • Law 18: Don't Build a Fortress for Your Protection - Isolation is Dangerous.
  • Law 19: Know who you are dealing with: Don't offend the wrong people.
  • Law 20: Shy Bonds Wherever Possible.
  • Law 21: play the fool to outsmart fools: pretend to be more stupid than your victim.
  • Law 22: Surrender to appearances: turn weakness into strength.
  • Law 23: Concentrate Your Powers.
  • Law 24: Play the Perfect Courtier.
  • Law 25: Recreate.
  • Law 26: Don't Get Your Fingers Dirty.
  • Law 27: Satisfy the human need to believe in something and promote a cult around yourself.
  • Law 28: Do It Courageously.
  • Law 29: Plan Everything to End.
  • Law 30: Everything Must Look Easy.
  • Law 31: Let Others Play With The Cards You Deal.
  • Law 32: Play with People's Dreams.
  • Law 33: There's a Thumbscrew for Everyone.
  • Law 34: Act Like a King to Be Treated Like a King.
  • Law 35: Master the Art of Timing.
  • Law 36: Forget What You Cannot Have: Ignoring It is the Best Revenge.
  • Law 37: stage thrilling shows.
  • Law 38: Think what you want, but act like the others.
  • Law 39: Make Waves to Catch Fish.
  • Law 40: Disdain the Free Offer.
  • Law 41: Don't Follow in the Footsteps of a Great Man.
  • Law 42: Slay the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.
  • Law 43: Work with the Heart and Mind of Others.
  • Law 44: Hold Up a Mirror to Others.
  • Law 45: Preach necessary change, but never change too much at once.
  • Law 46: Never Be Too Perfect.
  • Law 47: Never Go Overboard: Victory is the Best Time to Stop.
  • Law 48: Strive for Formlessness.

Web links