48 Laws of Power: Summary and Key Takeaways

While there are no rules to how to succeed in life, there are some important key takeaways to learn from. Some people have learned after experiencing hardship or obstacles that stood in front of their dreams. The article today is about someone by the name of Robert Greene. Greene is an author who has written at least six best-selling books about power, strategy, and seduction. One of his most famous books is The 48 Laws of Power. The article below is all about what that book is and how it can be applied to your life. With that being said, let’s get started!

Who is Robert Greene?

Robert Greene is an American author who has written several books on power. Greene grew up in Los Angeles and went to the University of California with a Bachelor’s in classical studies. Before becoming an author, Greene states he had nearly 70 jobs such as working in construction, as an editor, and even a movie writer in Hollywood. Greene worked in Italy as a writer at an art school. There, he met someone in the publishing industry. Greene pitched him an idea about power and wrote a treatment. Having impressed the packager, Greene notes that this was a major change for his livelihood. Amusingly, Greene himself has stated that he tries to not follow every single tip he wrote because, “Anybody who did would be a horrible ugly person to be around.”

The 48 Laws of Power

Robert Greene’s first book The 48 Laws of Power was published in 1998. It was for anyone interested in seeking power for themselves, how to protect themselves against power, or just simply know what power is. These laws were inspired by a variety of historical figures. Every chapter is dedicated to each law with a “transgression of the law”, “observance of the law”, and “reversal of the law”. The book has sold over a million copies and has become extremely popular with celebrities and prisoners. In fact, some prisons forbid the book of being in their facility.

What Are the 48 Laws of Power

While it is highly recommended to read the book itself, here are what the 48 laws of Power are.

1. Never outshine the master
2. Don’t trust friends, use enemies
3. Mask your intentions
4. Protect your reputation
5. Always say less than necessary
6. Court attention at all costs
7. Win thru’ action, not argument
8. Let others work and take the credit
9. Make yourself indispensable
10. Make people come to you
11. Feign honesty and generosity
12. Stay away from losers
13. Appeal to selfishness not virtue
14. Gather intelligence
15. Know your opponents
16. Crush your enemies totally
17. Use absence to raise your value
18. Stay unpredictable
19. Don’t isolate yourself
20. Keep your independence
21. Surrender to recover
22. Let your victims feel smarter
23. Create your own identity
24. Be a masterful courtier
25. Concentrate your forces
26. Act with boldness
27. Keep your hands cleans
28. Always seem effortless
29. Create a cult-like following
30. Control the options
31. Find your rival’s weakness
32. Plan until the end
33. Master the art of timing
34. Play to people’s fantasies
35. Pretend to be like them
36. Act like a king to become one
37. Ignore what you can’t have
38. Don’t fill a great man’s shoes
39. Create compelling spectacles
40. Despise the free lunch
41. Stir up water to catch fish
42. Strike the opponent’s leader
43. Win both hearts and minds
44. Introduce change gradually
45. Don’t seem too perfect
46. Use the mirror effect
47. Don’t push too far in victory
48. Assume formlessness

From a glance it is clear by some of the meanings of these laws, but some seem more confusing. That is why it is quite important to read the book itself and use that insight for your own life. Therefore, everyone who reads the book will get something out of it. It may be different from your take, but it helps somebody.

The Key Takeaways

Judging from the 48 laws of power themselves it is clear that is for a leadership person. Not to say that a new employee can’t use these rules because they can. In fact, if you have just started a new job, why not utilize these for yourself. Perhaps you will get further into the career than you could ever have dreamed. This book is for those who want to engage in leadership. However, it is also clear that you don’t want to be an emotionless, vague, and harsh person. Not everyone responds to that well. Instead, utilize these laws of power and consider what you can do in your life with them. By allowing yourself to expand your horizons following these rules, you can make yourself into a leader. But of course, it is different for everyone. So don’t try to force it, otherwise, it may backfire on you.

Conclusion

This book has been highly recommended by celebrities, prisoners read it, and even some business leaders have read the book. While it has a certain controversial aura around it, perhaps it is best for you to read the book and see for yourself what the big debate is all about. In the end, maybe you’ll learn something new about yourself!