48 laws of power cards
[Intro about how I like reading these to bring awareness to the game. It’s being played even if you don’t participate.]
1.
Never Outshine the Master
Always make superiors feel superior to avoid conflict.
2.
Never Put Too Much Trust in Friends
Use allies wisely but maintain professional distance.
3.
Conceal Your Intentions
Keep others guessing about your true goals.
4.
Always Say Less Than Necessary
Speak less to increase your power and mystery.
5.
So Much Depends on Reputation
Guard your reputation; it is a cornerstone of power.
6.
Court Attention at All Costs
Command attention to maintain influence and control.
7.
Get Others to Do the Work
Delegate while taking credit for others' efforts.
8.
Make Others Come to You
Draw others in; maintain control over interactions.
9.
Win Through Actions
Impress others with deeds, not words.
10.
Avoid the Unhappy and Unlucky
Negativity spreads; align with positive energy.
11.
Learn to Keep People Dependent
Power comes from making others need you.
12.
Use Selective Honesty
Disarm opponents with honesty and generosity.
13.
Appeal to Self-Interest
Convince others by appealing to their desires.
14.
Pose as a Friend, Work as a Spy
Learn others' secrets to use against them.
15.
Crush Your Enemy Totally
Leave no room for future retaliation.
16.
Use Absence to Increase Respect
Create value by making yourself scarce.
17.
Keep Others in Suspense
Cultivate unpredictability to keep others off-balance.
18.
Do Not Build Fortresses
Isolation is dangerous; stay connected and aware.
19.
Know Who You’re Dealing With
Tailor your strategy to your opponent’s character.
20.
Do Not Commit to Anyone
Maintain independence; keep others guessing.
21.
Play a Sucker to Catch One
Appear less intelligent to disarm your opponent.
22.
Surrender to Transform Weakness
Turn vulnerability into strength through adaptability.
23.
Concentrate Your Forces
Focus energy on one decisive course of action.
24.
Play the Perfect Courtier
Master the art of influence and etiquette.
25.
Recreate Yourself
Shape your public image with purpose and creativity.
26.
Keep Your Hands Clean
Avoid blame; let others execute your plans.
27.
Play on People’s Need to Believe
Offer a compelling vision to gain loyalty.
28.
Enter Action Boldly
Timidity invites failure; act decisively and confidently.
29.
Plan All the Way to the End
Anticipate outcomes to avoid being caught unprepared.
30.
Make Your Accomplishments Seem Effortless
Hide the labor; appear naturally talented.
31.
Control the Options
Limit choices to steer others toward your goals.
32.
Play to People’s Fantasies
Offer dreams, not reality, to win loyalty.
33.
Discover Each Man’s Thumbscrew
Find and exploit vulnerabilities for control.
34.
Act Like a King
Demand respect by projecting confidence and dignity.
35.
Master the Art of Timing
Act at the right moment for maximum impact.
36.
Disdain What You Cannot Have
Ignore the unattainable to weaken its power over you.
37.
Create Compelling Spectacles
Dramatic visuals and actions inspire and influence.
38.
Think as You Like
Conform outwardly; hold your beliefs privately.
39.
Stir Up Waters to Catch Fish
Disrupt plans to confuse and dominate your opponents.
40.
Despise the Free Lunch
Value things that require investment and effort.
41.
Avoid Stepping in a Great Man’s Shoes
Forge your own path; don’t be overshadowed.
42.
Strike the Shepherd
Eliminate sources of chaos by targeting leaders.
43.
Work on Hearts and Minds
Win over people emotionally to secure loyalty.
44.
Disarm and Infuriate with the Mirror Effect
Reflect others’ actions to confuse and disarm.
45.
Preach the Need for Change
Use reform to justify your leadership and plans.
46.
Never Appear Too Perfect
Show flaws to make yourself relatable and less envied.
47.
Do Not Go Past the Mark
Know when to stop; avoid overextending success.
48.
Assume Formlessness
Adapt constantly to keep others off balance.
I lifted this epic categorization below from ToSummarize, from reddit. Maybe I’ll incorporate it to the cards… If you want to dig into more, click the number links below. They’ll land you on their site on the subject, which is very worth while.
- Pay attention to people and understand human nature, including your own (Laws 19, 33).
- Actions, symbols and emotions are more convincing than words (Laws 9, 27, 32, 37, 43).
- Self-interest is a more reliable motivator than gratitude or mercy (Law 13). Gratitude is a burden and people will try to rid themselves of it (Laws 2, 13).
- Beware of envy (Laws 1, 2, 46).
- Scarcity makes things more desirable – people want what they can’t have (Law 16).
- People are conservative and don’t like a lot of change (Law 45).
- Humans are affected by the moods and attitudes of those around us (Law 10).
- In some groups, power is concentrated in the hands of a few (Law 42).
- Distracting others gives you room to operate (Law 6, 12, 37, 44).
- Appearances matter, sometimes more than reality (Law 5).
- You can gain power by being or looking competent (Laws 7, 11, 26, 30), mysterious (Laws 3, 4, 6, 16, 17), regal and “above the fray” (Laws 34, 36).
- You may look weak by getting angry or emotional over things you can’t have (Law 36) or being compared to someone greater than you (Law 41).
- There are disadvantages to looking too powerful or perfect, as it
could make others see you as a threat or “out of touch” (Laws
1, 18, 46). It may sometimes be better to look weak so that others underestimate you (Laws 21, 22). - Sometimes it is good to stick out (Laws 6, 37); other times it’s better to blend in (Laws 3, 38, 44).
- Information is important.
- Make plans and think through different permutations (Law 29) but also be adaptable (Laws 20, 24, 38, 44, 48).
- Be rational, not emotional (Laws 2, 39, 47). Don’t get distracted (Laws 36, 40)
- Power sometimes requires a big show of force (Laws 15, 23, 28) but usually, it is better to be subtle and indirect (Laws 11, 24, 31, 43, 44).