The collection
Commentary on all 48 laws
Every entry has four parts: the statement of the law, what it actually means now, an example of it happening, and one small practice to try. Read them in order, or start with the situation you are in.
Never Outshine the Master.
When interacting with your superiors or mentors, avoid appearing more capable or accomplished than them.
At WorkLeading PeopleLaw 2Never Put too Much Trust in Friends, Learn How to Use Enemies.
Do not place excessive trust in your friends, as they may disappoint or betray you.
Friends & FamilyAt WorkLaw 3Conceal Your Intentions.
Avoid revealing your true intentions too readily, especially in competitive or strategic situations.
At WorkPersuasionLaw 4Always Say Less than Necessary.
When communicating, always say less than you think is necessary.
NegotiatingComposureLaw 5So Much Depends on Reputation — Guard It with Your Life.
Recognize the significant impact that your reputation can have on your success and relationships.
PersuasionAt WorkLaw 6Create an Air of Mystery.
Cultivate an aura of intrigue and mystique in your interactions and endeavors.
PersuasionComposureLaw 7Get Others to Do the Work, but Always Take the Credit.
Delegate tasks and responsibilities to others whenever possible, but ensure that you receive credit for their accomplishments.
At WorkLeading PeopleLaw 8Make Other People Come to You — Use Bait if Necessary.
Position yourself in a way that compels others to seek your involvement or approval.
NegotiatingComposureLaw 9Win Through Your Actions, Never Through Argument.
Achieve victory and influence through your actions and accomplishments rather than relying solely on verbal persuasion.
PersuasionAt WorkLaw 10Infection: Avoid the Unhappy and Unlucky.
Steer clear of individuals who exude negativity or consistently experience misfortune, as their pessimism and misfortune can be contagious.
Friends & FamilyComposureLaw 11Learn to Keep People Dependent on You.
Cultivate relationships and dynamics that make others reliant on your support, guidance, or resources.
At WorkLeading PeopleLaw 12Disarm Your Victim With Honesty and Generosity.
Use sincerity and acts of kindness to disarm and gain the trust of your intended target or adversary.
NegotiatingPersuasionLaw 13When Asking for Help, Appeal to People's Self-Interest.
When seeking assistance or cooperation from others, frame your request in a way that aligns with their self-interest or personal motivations.
PersuasionNegotiatingAt WorkLaw 14Pose as a Friend, Work as a Spy.
Present yourself as a trustworthy ally while secretly gathering information and insights that can be used to your advantage.
Friends & FamilyAt WorkPersuasionLaw 15Crush Your Enemy Totally.
When faced with adversaries or obstacles, strive for decisive victory by utterly defeating and neutralizing them.
Friends & FamilyNegotiatingLeading PeopleLaw 16Use Absence to Increase Respect and Honor.
To increase respect and honor, strategically use absence.
Friends & FamilyPersuasionAt WorkLaw 17Keep Others in Suspended Terror.
Maintain a sense of unpredictability and uncertainty to keep others on edge.
Leading PeopleAt WorkFriends & FamilyLaw 18Do Not Build Fortresses to Protect Yourself – Isolation is Dangerous.
Avoid isolating yourself from others by building metaphorical fortresses.
Friends & FamilyAt WorkLeading PeopleLaw 19Do Not Offend the Wrong Person.
Be cautious not to offend individuals who hold significant influence or power.
Friends & FamilyAt WorkPersuasionLaw 20Do Not Commit to Anyone.
Avoid making commitments to individuals or groups too hastily.
At WorkFriends & FamilyNegotiatingLaw 21Seem Dumber Than Your Mark.
Appear less intelligent or knowledgeable than your target.
NegotiatingPersuasionAt WorkLaw 22Transform Weakness into Power.
Convert perceived weaknesses into sources of power and advantage.
NegotiatingAt WorkComposureLaw 23Concentrate Your Forces.
Focus your resources and efforts on a specific objective or goal.
Leading PeopleComposureAt WorkLaw 24Play the Perfect Courtier.
Emulate the behavior of a perfect courtier in social and professional settings.
At WorkPersuasionLeading PeopleLaw 25Create a Powerful Image That Stands Out.
Craft a distinctive and memorable image that sets you apart from others.
ComposureAt WorkLaw 26Keep Your Hands Clean.
Avoid getting directly involved in morally questionable or unethical activities.
At WorkLeading PeopleLaw 27Play on People's Need to Believe to Create a Following.
Exploit people's desire to believe in something greater than themselves to build a loyal following.
PersuasionFriends & FamilyLaw 28Enter Action with Boldness.
Approach challenges and opportunities with confidence and decisiveness.
ComposureNegotiatingLaw 29Plan All the Way to the End.
Develop comprehensive plans that anticipate and address potential obstacles and outcomes.
Leading PeopleAt WorkLaw 30Make Your Accomplishments Seem Effortless.
Present your achievements in a way that suggests they were effortless and natural.
At WorkComposureLaw 31Get Others to Play with the Cards You Deal.
Manipulate situations to ensure that others are playing by your rules.
NegotiatingPersuasionLaw 32Play to People's Fantasies.
Appeal to people's desires and fantasies to gain their favor and loyalty.
PersuasionComposureLaw 33Discover Each Man's Weakness.
Identify and exploit the vulnerabilities and weaknesses of individuals to gain leverage and control.
Friends & FamilyAt WorkLaw 34Act Like a King to Be Treated Like One.
Project confidence, authority, and dignity in all your interactions.
ComposureLeading PeopleLaw 35Master the Art of Timing.
Learn to understand and utilize the concept of timing effectively.
NegotiatingAt WorkLaw 36Ignoring Things You Cannot Have Is the Best Revenge.
Focus your energy on what you can control rather than dwelling on what is beyond your reach.
ComposureFriends & FamilyLaw 37Create Compelling Spectacles.
Capture attention and leave a lasting impression by orchestrating captivating events or performances.
At WorkPersuasionLaw 38Think as You Like But Behave Like Others.
Maintain independence of thought while adapting your behavior to align with societal norms or expectations.
At WorkPersuasionLaw 39Stir Up Waters to Catch Fish.
Create disruption or controversy to attract attention and generate opportunities.
At WorkComposureLaw 40Despise the Free Lunch.
Be wary of offers or opportunities that appear too good to be true.
NegotiatingFriends & FamilyLaw 41Avoid Stepping Into a Great Man's Shoes.
Forge your own path rather than attempting to imitate or replicate the accomplishments of others.
Leading PeopleAt WorkLaw 42Strike the Shepherd and the Sheep Will Scatter.
Target the leader or central figure in a group or organization to disrupt its cohesion or influence.
Leading PeopleAt WorkLaw 43Work on the Hearts and Minds of Others.
Focus on building emotional connections and influencing the thoughts and feelings of others.
PersuasionLeading PeopleLaw 44Disarm and Infuriate with the Mirror Effect.
Neutralize hostility or aggression by reflecting it back at the source.
NegotiatingFriends & FamilyLaw 45Preach Change, But Never Reform Too Much at Once.
Advocate for change and progress while exercising caution and moderation in implementing reforms.
Leading PeopleAt WorkLaw 46Never Appear Too Perfect.
Avoid projecting an image of flawlessness or invincibility, as it can alienate others and create unrealistic expectations.
Friends & FamilyAt WorkLaw 47Do Not Go Past What You Aimed For. Know When to Stop.
Exercise restraint and discernment in pursuing your goals, knowing when to cease your efforts once the desired objective has been achieved.
NegotiatingComposureLaw 48Assume Formlessness.
Remain adaptable and flexible in your approach, avoiding rigid adherence to fixed strategies or identities.
Leading PeopleComposureBy situation
Read them in the order your life needs
Each path collects the laws that come up most often in that part of life.
At Work
Most of the laws play out in offices, in hierarchies and in rooms where somebody else signs off the work. These are the ones that come up most often in a job.
Leading People
Laws about the person others look to. They cover giving credit, holding authority lightly, staying adaptable and understanding that your position is granted by the people you lead.
Friends & Family
Power does not switch off at the front door. These laws are about obligation, favours, unspoken terms and the people who are hardest to be honest with.
Persuasion
Laws about how attention, reputation and presence actually move other people — and how to notice it being done to you.
Negotiating
Money, terms, timing and wording. These laws are the ones to reread the night before a difficult conversation.
Composure
Laws about self-possession: saying less, acting with boldness, and not needing the room to agree with you before you move.
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