Have you applied any of the 48 Laws in your life?
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I'm all about the Tiger Moves.
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thanks for the summary, I've been doing 21 for a while at my work until the point that they absolutely beg me to do this one very specialized task, I need them to exhaust all effort.... and then #30 is how I plan to solve this problem, in fact, I've already solved it, just waiting for the callI think it's a solid book for the most part. Only gripe I have is that Robert Greene looks and sounds like the biggest nerd who ever lived, so I have to have to read it in someone else's voice and forget he ever existed.
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Most of the "laws" are just good general rules for life, but context is of course important. And while the laws aren't anything that couldn't be learned through a few years of paying close attention to how people operate, it's certainly helpful to have them organized and in one place for reference.
For those who haven't read the book, here's an AI-generated summary with a short real-world example for each. If you don't like an example take it up with ChatGPT and have it generate another.
1. Never outshine the master
Example: When Steve Jobs was CEO of Apple, key executives like Jony Ive let Jobs take the spotlight, even though Ive was behind many designs. This kept Jobs’ ego intact and Ive influential.
2. Never put too much trust in friends, learn how to use enemies
Example: Abraham Lincoln filled his cabinet with rivals ("Team of Rivals") who respected him but once opposed him. Their rivalry turned into loyalty and strength for his presidency.
3. Conceal your intentions
Example: Walt Disney often hid his true business expansions (like secretly buying land for Disney World) until the plan was unstoppable.
4. Always say less than necessary
Example: Warren Buffett often gives short, cryptic statements. His silence makes markets hang on his words and fuels curiosity.
5. So much depends on reputation—guard it with your life
Example: Tesla’s stock value is tied heavily to Elon Musk’s reputation as an innovator. Attacks on his image directly impact Tesla’s influence.
6. Court attention at all costs
Example: Muhammad Ali used showmanship, poetry, and trash talk to draw attention. Even people who hated him couldn’t stop watching.
7. Get others to do the work for you, but always take the credit
Example: Thomas Edison employed inventors in his labs, but he branded their inventions under his name, building his legacy as a genius.
8. Make other people come to you—use bait if necessary
Example: High-end universities (Harvard, Oxford) don’t chase students. Their prestige makes people fight to get in.
9. Win through your actions, never through argument
Example: Instead of arguing about Microsoft Windows’ superiority, Bill Gates simply flooded the market with working software, proving its dominance.
10. Infection: avoid the unhappy and unlucky
Example: Many athletes distance themselves from troubled teammates because negativity and bad press can drag down careers.
11. Learn to keep people dependent on you
Example: Microsoft ensured corporations relied on Windows and Office for daily operations. Dependence gave Microsoft immense power.
12. Use selective honesty and generosity to disarm your victim
Example: Con artists often give back small amounts of money or gifts to seem trustworthy before pulling a larger scam.
13. When asking for help, appeal to self-interest, never mercy
Example: When pitching investors, startups rarely beg for support—they highlight how much profit the investor stands to gain.
14. Pose as a friend, work as a spy
Example: During WWII, undercover agents befriended targets, gathering key intelligence while pretending to be allies.
15. Crush your enemy totally
Example: Julius Caesar crushed Pompey completely instead of letting him regroup, ensuring Rome was fully under his control.
16. Use absence to increase respect and honor
Example: Dave Chappelle walked away from his show at its peak. His absence made fans value him more, strengthening his legacy.
17. Keep others in suspended terror: cultivate an air of unpredictability
Example: Donald Trump in business and politics often acted unpredictably, keeping opponents off-balance and unsure of his next move.
18. Do not build fortresses to protect yourself—Isolation is dangerous
Example: Blockbuster clung to physical stores (a fortress), while Netflix adapted and stayed connected to trends, winning the market.
19. Know who you’re dealing with—Do not offend the wrong person
Example: Kanye West underestimated Taylor Swift’s influence when he interrupted her at the VMAs. It backfired massively on his reputation.
20. Do not commit to anyone
Example: During the Cold War, many countries stayed non-aligned, gaining aid and benefits from both the US and USSR.
21. Play a sucker to catch a sucker—seem dumber than your mark
Example: Poker players often “play dumb” to bait opponents into overconfidence, then strike when stakes are high.
22. Use the surrender tactic: transform weakness into power
Example: Gandhi surrendered physical resistance to British authority. His passive stance turned into a moral weapon, winning global sympathy.
23. Concentrate your forces
Example: Jeff Bezos focused Amazon entirely on books at first, dominating that niche before expanding into everything else.
24. Play the perfect courtier
Example: Many diplomats (like Talleyrand in Napoleonic France) mastered flattery, charm, and subtlety to thrive in volatile courts.
25. Re-create yourself
– Reinvent your image to stay relevant.
Example: Madonna repeatedly reinvented her persona to stay on top for decades.
26. Keep your hands clean
– Avoid blame by letting others do the dirty work.
Example: Politicians often let aides deliver bad news so their own reputation stays polished.
27. Play on people’s need to believe
– Build cult-like followings by offering meaning.
Example: Steve Jobs positioned Apple as more than tech — a lifestyle, inspiring near-religious devotion.
28. Enter action with boldness
– Hesitation weakens; bold moves inspire.
Example: Elon Musk launching SpaceX rockets despite repeated failures — boldness built credibility.
29. Plan all the way to the end
– Think long-term, anticipate obstacles.
Example: Amazon ran at losses for years but planned dominance in e-commerce from the start.
30. Make your accomplishments seem effortless
– Hide hard work; show only the polish.
Example: Michael Jordan practiced endlessly but on the court made greatness look natural.
31. Control the options: get others to play with the cards you deal
– Frame choices so they serve you.
Example: Fast food menus — different meal options, but all profits go to the same chain.
32. Play to people’s fantasies
– Appeal to dreams, not reality.
Example: Disney sells magic and fantasy, not just theme parks and movies.
33. Discover each man’s thumbscrew
– Find what motivates or weakens someone.
Example: Negotiators study opponents’ hidden fears or desires to gain leverage.
34. Be royal in your own fashion: act like a king to be treated like one
– Confidence earns respect.
Example: LeBron James declared himself “The King” early on, shaping public perception.
35. Master the art of timing
– Don’t rush or delay—strike at the right moment.
Example: Apple waited until MP3 players had buzz, then released the iPod to dominate.
36. Disdain things you cannot have: ignoring them is the best revenge
– Obsession shows weakness; indifference shows power.
Example: When luxury brands refuse to address copycats, it increases their exclusivity.
37. Create compelling spectacles
– Dramatic visuals make people remember.
Example: Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech was powerful partly because of the grand setting at the Lincoln Memorial.
38. Think as you like but behave like others
– Fit in outwardly; keep your difference private.
Example: Corporate employees often dress alike but innovate behind the scenes.
39. Stir up waters to catch fish
– Provoke emotions to confuse opponents.
Example: Muhammad Ali taunted opponents into anger, making them fight recklessly.
40. Despise the free lunch
– What’s free is dangerous; pay your way.
Example: Entrepreneurs often invest their own money in startups to keep control instead of taking too many “free” favors.
41. Avoid stepping into a great man’s shoes
– Successors often fail if compared directly.
Example: Tim Cook didn’t try to copy Steve Jobs’ style, but instead redefined Apple leadership.
42. Strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter
– Remove the leader and followers weaken.
Example: In war, capturing or killing enemy commanders often collapses morale.
43. Work on the hearts and minds of others
– Win loyalty through persuasion, not force.
Example: Nelson Mandela used reconciliation to unite South Africa rather than vengeance.
44. Disarm and infuriate with the mirror effect
– Reflect others’ actions back at them.
Example: In negotiations, mirroring tone and body language disarms opponents and builds rapport.
45. Preach the need for change, but never reform too much at once
– Gradual change feels safe.
Example: Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal introduced reforms step by step, not all at once.
46. Never appear too perfect
– Show small flaws to seem relatable.
Example: Barack Obama occasionally joked about his big ears, humanizing himself.
47. Do not go past the mark you aimed for; in victory, learn when to stop
– Don’t overreach after success.
Example: Napoleon’s invasion of Russia overextended him, leading to his downfall.
48. Assume formlessness
– Adapt like water; avoid rigidity.
Example: Bruce Lee’s “be water” philosophy — adapt to situations instead of forcing one style.
Recently I've used the following:
#4 Always say less than necessary
#21 Play a sucker to catch a sucker. Seem dumber than your mark.
#22 Use the surrender tactic: transform weakness into power
I don't like #30 - Make your accomplishments seem effortless. I think showing how hard you work is a much better idea, because most aren't willing to work hard and they quickly learn their place when confronted with this reality. It's especially hurtful to them because they know it's something they can change, but they lack the discipline to do so. Trying to make your accomplishments seem like natural talent is easy ammunition for gossipy bitches. In my experience, anyway.
#4 is a way of life for my autistic tendencies
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To be fair, those are the c*ck suckers that run things in adult life.
Also u don't have to change if you don't want to. But its nice to be able to recognize patterns in others
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absolutely, I don't want to be like the bastards but I want to see them coming.
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All of these books with “the secret to success” are.
They’re like Machiavelli’s The Prince. A whole lot of “Yeah no shit, Sherlock. A prince shouldn’t be too generous but also not too stingy. Brilliant stuff.”
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Winning is a better book.....
48 laws is about being a cold cunt and deceptive, if your not the type, just get out of that sort of relationship, wether it's work or personal........and avoid those sort of cunts like the plague
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I definitely try to never make the boss look bad (although it sometimes can't be helped) and saying less is absolutely almost always the way to go, but most of those just seem like a recipe to be a miserable prick.
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I would say this book is a whole lot of if you don't know when to apply these by having the ability to read people and situations.... You're fucked... If you do have the ability, you don't need this book.
The author also wrote the art of seduction and a book with 50 cent...
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Tried to read it when it first came out. Thought it sucked.
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It's a great book for anyone that has aspirations of being more than a wallflower in life.
I think most of it is cringe. it's also extremely difficult to find a way cheat and manipulate without getting caught in this day and age.
And this will expel many good people if you do it on them.
But The 'never upstage the boss' rule can be useful for certain individuals. It has definitely made my job a whole lot easier and helped me maintain good relationships with my supervisors.
For the average person it's important to recognize the laws because at some point in life they or a variation of them will be used against you. Was sitting across from my book shelf when I read this, ha!
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"Always say less than necessary" is a good one to keep things simple.
