LAW 1 — Never Outshine the Master
Make your superiors feel superior. If they feel insecure, they will crush you.
LAW 2 — Never Put Too Much Trust in Friends; Learn How to Use Enemies
Friends are emotional; enemies are motivated to prove themselves.
LAW 3 — Conceal Your Intentions
Hide your plans. If people don’t know your path, they can’t stop you.
LAW 4 — Always Say Less Than Necessary
Powerful people speak less and make others guess their true intentions.
LAW 5 — Protect Your Reputation at All Costs
Reputation is the foundation of power. Guard it fiercely.
LAW 6 — Court Attention at All Costs
Visibility = Power. Stay relevant and present.
LAW 7 — Get Others to Do the Work for You, but Always Take the Credit
Use the skills, time, and energy of others to advance yourself.
LAW 8 — Make Others Come to You — Use Bait if Necessary
When you control the situation, you control power.
LAW 9 — Win Through Your Actions, Never Through Arguments
Actions convince. Arguments create resentment.
LAW 10 — Infection: Avoid the Unhappy and Unlucky
Emotions are contagious — avoid negativity before it pulls you down.
LAW 11 — Learn to Keep People Dependent on You
If they depend on you, they cannot leave you.
LAW 12 — Use Selective Honesty and Generosity to Disarm Your Victim
One sincere move builds trust for bigger manipulation later.
LAW 13 — When Asking for Help, Appeal to Self-Interest
People help when there’s something in it for them.
LAW 14 — Pose as a Friend, Work as a Spy
Gather information secretly by blending in.
LAW 15 — Crush Your Enemy Totally
Never leave room for revenge.
LAW 16 — Use Absence to Increase Respect and Honor
Scarcity increases value — disappear strategically.
LAW 17 — Keep Others in Suspended Terror: Cultivate an Air of Unpredictability
Being unpredictable forces others to stay cautious.
LAW 18 — Do Not Build Fortresses to Protect Yourself — Isolation is Dangerous
Stay connected. Information flows where people are.
LAW 19 — Know Who You’re Dealing With — Do Not Offend the Wrong Person
Different people react differently — learn their nature.
LAW 20 — Do Not Commit to Anyone
Stay neutral. Commitment traps you.
LAW 21 — Play a Sucker to Catch a Sucker — Seem Dumber Than Your Mark
Appear harmless to lower defenses.
LAW 22 — Use the Surrender Tactic: Transform Weakness Into Power
Concede temporarily to gain time and position.
LAW 23 — Concentrate Your Forces
Focus creates power. Spread-out resources weaken you.
LAW 24 — Play the Perfect Courtier
Master diplomacy, charm, and obedience to get ahead.
LAW 25 — Re-Create Yourself
Do not accept the role society gives you; reinvent as needed.
LAW 26 — Keep Your Hands Clean
Let others handle the dirty work so your image stays pure.
LAW 27 — Create a Cult-like Following
People crave belonging — use it to build loyalty.
LAW 28 — Enter Action With Boldness
Boldness destroys fear and forces others to respond.
LAW 29 — Plan All the Way to the End
Seeing the end gives clarity and control.
LAW 30 — Make Your Accomplishments Seem Effortless
Effortlessness increases your perceived talent and mystique.
LAW 31 — Control the Options: Get Others to Play With the Cards You Deal
Frame situations so whatever they choose benefits you.
LAW 32 — Play to People’s Fantasies
Truth is boring; fantasies attract.
LAW 33 — Discover Each Man’s Thumbscrew
Find what motivates or weakens others.
LAW 34 — Act Like a King to Be Treated Like One
Carry yourself with confidence and you’ll be respected.
LAW 35 — Master the Art of Timing
Right timing multiplies your power.
LAW 36 — Disdain Things You Cannot Have
Despising what you can’t get protects your pride.
LAW 37 — Create Compelling Spectacles
Dramatic visuals impress people and distract from your moves.
LAW 38 — Think as You Like but Behave Like Others
Blend in; only fools announce their difference openly.
LAW 39 — Stir Up Waters to Catch Fish
Agitate people — emotional people make mistakes.
LAW 40 — Despise the Free Lunch
Nothing free is valuable.
LAW 41 — Avoid Stepping Into a Great Man’s Shoes
Create your own legacy rather than copying someone.
LAW 42 — Strike the Shepherd and the Sheep Will Scatter
Remove leadership to weaken the group.
LAW 43 — Work on the Hearts and Minds of Others
Influence emotions, not logic.
LAW 44 — Disarm and Infuriate With the Mirror Effect
Mirror people’s actions to break their balance.
LAW 45 — Preach the Need for Change, but Never Reform Too Much at Once
People resist sudden change.
LAW 46 — Never Appear Too Perfect
Show small flaws so others don’t envy you.
LAW 47 — Do Not Go Past the Mark You Aimed For
Know when to stop — victory can turn into defeat.
LAW 48 — Assume Formlessness
Be adaptable like water. Flexibility is the highest power.