The 48 Laws of Power
"The 48 Laws of Power" is a self-help book that provides 48 laws for gaining and maintaining power. The book is divided into three sections: laws for gaining power, laws for maintaining power, and laws for defending against those who seek power. Each law is accompanied by anecdotes and historical examples to illustrate its application. The book aims to help readers achieve their goals and increase their influence in various areas of life, including business, politics, and personal relationships.
By Robert Greene · First published 1998 · Genre: Self-Help, Non-fiction, Psychology · 48 chapters · 252,037 words
First lines
JUDGMENT
Always make those above you feel comfortably superior. In your desire to please and impress them, do not go too far in displaying your talents or you might accomplish the opposite-inspire fear and insecurity. Make your masters appear more brilliant than they are and you will attain the heights of power.
What this Textopian page supports
The 48 Laws of Power is listed on Textopian as an article by Robert Greene, dated 1998 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Article
- Author: Robert Greene
- Date: 1998 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Self-Help, Non-fiction, Psychology, Philosophy, History
- Length: 252,037 words
- Structure: 48 chapters, 2,586 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The 48 Laws of Power?
- How does this article by Robert Greene fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Self-Help first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Self-Help — The book presents a guide on understanding and wielding power, hence fitting under the self-help genre.
- Non-fiction — The book's content is based on historical figures and their use of power, and therefore falls under non-fiction.
- Psychology — The book delves into the psychology of power and manipulations, making it relevant to the genre of psychology.
- Philosophy — The book contains reflections and theories on the nature of power, which associates it with the philosophy genre.
Tags
Politics · Power · Leadership · Strategy · Influence · Manipulation · Motivation · Self-help · Personal Development · Psychology · Social Dynamics · Interpersonal Relationships
Contents
- NEVER OUTSHINE THE MASTER
- NEVER PUT TOO MUCH TRUST IN FRIENDS, LEARN HOW TO USE ENEMIES
- CONCEAL YOUR INTENTIONS
- ALWAYS SAY LESS THAN NECESSARY
- SO MUCH DEPENDS ON REPUTATION - GUARD IT WITH YOUR LIFE
- COURT ATTENTION AT ALL COST
- GET OTHERS TO DO THE WORK FOR YOU, BUT ALWAYS TAKE THE CREDIT
- MAKE OTHER PEOPLE COME TO YOU - USE BAIT IF NECESSARY
- WIN THROUGH YOUR ACTIONS, NEVER THROUGH ARGUMENT
- INFECTION: AVOID THE UNHAPPY AND UNLUCKY
- LEARN TO KEEP PEOPLE DEPENDENT ON YOU
- USE SELECTIVE HONESTY AND GENEROSITY TO DISARM YOUR VICTIM
- WHEN ASKING FOR HELP, APPEAL TO PEOPLE'S SELF-INTEREST, NEVER TO THEIR MERCY OR GRATITUDE
- POSE AS A FRIEND, WORK AS A SPY
- CRUSH YOUR ENEMY TOTALLY
- USE ABSENCE TO INCREASE RESPECT AND HONOR
- KEEP OTHERS IN SUSPENDED TERROR: CULTIVATE AN AIR OF UNPREDICTABILITY
- DO NOT BUILD FORTRESSES TO PROTECT YOURSELF - ISOLATION IS DANGEROUS
- KNOW WHO YOU'RE DEALING WITH - DO NOT OFFEND THE WRONG PERSON
- DO NOT COMMIT TO ANYONE
- PLAY A SUCKER TO CATCH A SUCKER - SEEM DUMBER THAN YOUR MARK
- USE THE SURRENDER TACTIC: TRANSFORM WEAKNESS INTO POWER
- CONCENTRATE YOUR FORCES
- PLAY THE PERFECT COURTIER
- RE-CREATE YOURSELF
- KEEP YOUR HANDS CLEAN
- PLAY ON PEOPLE'S NEED TO BELIEVE TO CREATE A CULTLIKE FOLLOWING
- ENTER ACTION WITH BOLDNESS
- PLAN ALL THE WAY TO THE END
- MAKE YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS SEEM EFFORTLESS
- CONTROL THE OPTIONS: GET OTHERS TO PLAY WITH THE CARDS YOU DEAL
- PLAY TO PEOPLE'S FANTASIES
- DISCOVER EACH MAN'S THUMBSCREW
- BE ROYAL IN YOUR OWN FASHION: ACT LIKE A KING TO BE TREATED LIKE ONE
- MASTER THE ART OF TIMING
- DISDAIN THINGS YOU CANNOT HAVE: IGNORING THEM IS THE BEST REVENGE
- CREATE COMPELLING SPECTACLES
- THINK AS YOU LIKE BUT BEHAVE LIKE OTHERS
- STIR UP WATERS TO CATCH FISH
- DESPISE THE FREE LUNCH
- AVOID STEPPING INTO A GREAT MAN'S SHOES
- STRIKE THE SHEPHERD AND THE SHEEP WILL SCATTER
- WORK ON THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF OTHERS
- DISARM AND INFURIATE WITH THE MIRROR EFFECT
- PREACH THE NEED FOR CHANGE, BUT NEVER REFORM TOO MUCH AT ONCE
- NEVER APPEAR TOO PERFECT
- DO NOT GO PAST THE MARK YOU AIMED FOR; IN VICTORY, LEARN WHEN TO STOP
- ASSUME FORMLESSNESS