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The 48 Laws of Power

The 48 Laws of Power

By Robert Greene

The 48 Laws of Power. Penguin Books, 1998.

5.0 / 1

24 mins read

19 Key insights

A brief summary of The 48 Laws of Power

An irreverent list of mandates that can help you become a masterful player of the intricate, often dangerous, game of power, including examples from history that highlight the consequences of following or not following the supposed laws.

Key insights in The 48 Laws of Power

1
What do you get from this book? An analysis of power through the lens of global history
2
At all costs, avoid appearing better than your superiors, even if you’re more capable than them
3
Be careful of who you trust and don’t reveal too much, or you could lose power
4
Protect your reputation and build it up, while also allowing others to do your work and come to you
5
Victory often comes through action, especially when you stay away from the unlucky and have others rely on you
6
Be friendly, honest, and generous when the situation calls for it, especially to get valuable intel from your acquaintances
7
In order to defeat your rivals fully, you must be unpredictable and avoid isolating yourself in a fortress
8
Be wise to everyone, but don’t commit to them, and don’t be afraid to surrender if you must
9
Keep your allies close while you create a new identity for yourself and avoid scandals
10
Plan thoroughly, and be bold in your actions while you develop a cult following that puts their faith in you
11
To have power over others, control their choices, find their weaknesses, and play up their dreams
12
Act like you’re powerful, get your timing perfect, and if you cannot have something, look down on it
13
Impress people with big spectacles, but also practice conventional behaviors and be wary of freebies
14
Ingratiate yourself to others by being unique, and striking at the leaders of your opposition
15
Mirroring others is a way to ingratiate yourself to them, as is preaching change, but be cautious about too much reform
16
Show some flaws, stop when you reach your goal, and be adaptable to be the best contender in the game of power
17
Summary of the key insights
18
Selected critiques in brief
19
Final word

Who should read The 48 Laws of Power

Ladder climbers • business leaders • historians • fans of satire • those with the ambition to gain more power • anyone who wants to understand how powerful people rise and why they fall

About the author of The 48 Laws of Power

Robert Greene has educated the world with his best-selling books, including Mastery, The Art of Seduction, and The 48 Laws of Power. He is not just an author, but also a public speaker, and earned a degree in classical studies from the University of Wisconsin. Since then, his work analyzing the actions of people of the past has found a following amongst historians, politicians, music moguls, and business-minded individuals.

author avatar

Robert Greene

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