“The 48 Laws of Power” is one of the most pivotal books in a lot of people’s self-improvement journey.
In fact, it was one of the very first books I’d read alongside “Meditations”
The book doesn’t follow as some “Here are 48 laws or ideas you need to know to be powerful or respected.”
Greene lays out these “laws” and then explains them a bit more in nuance while also incorporating historically relevant scenario’s
This is to give you real world, practical examples and take-aways from the situations where these “laws” are followed.
Now, before you groan about learning a tiny bit of history, a LOT of it isn’t about war and the scenario’s arenot even the focal point of this book.
(To be honest, People only get that idea from watching the video summarizing it on YouTube.
Like watching a harry potter movie instead of reading the book)
Instead, each “law” gives you the key take-away/lessons from powerful people in history and with a deeper understanding supplicated by Greene.
It ranges from being emotionally competent, understanding social nuances, desire, persuasion and I mean… Yeah, a little about power struggles and war.
Additionally, I’ve made a table of the “48 laws” to help you easily find them all.
Table for Reference for the 48 laws of power:
| The | 48 | laws | of | Power | Robert Greene |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Law 1 – Never Outshine the Master | Law 9 – Win through your Actions, Never through Argument | Law 17 – Keep Others in Suspended Terror: Cultivate an Air of Unpredictability | Law 25 – Re-Create Yourself | Law 33 – Discover Each Man’s Thumbscrew | Law 41 – Avoid Stepping into a Great Man’s Shoes |
| Law 2 – Never put too Much Trust in Friends, Learn how to use Enemies | Law 10 – Infection: Avoid the Unhappy and Unlucky | Law 18 – Do Not Build Fortresses to Protect Yourself – Isolation is Dangerous | Law 26 – Keep Your Hands Clean | Law 34 – Be Royal in your Own Fashion: Act like a King to be treated like one | Law 42 – Strike the Shepherd and the Sheep will Scatter |
| Law 3 – Conceal your Intentions | Law 11 – Learn to Keep People Dependent on You | Law 19 – Know Who You’re Dealing with – Do Not Offend the Wrong Person | Law 27 – Play on People’s Need to Believe to Create a Cult-like Following | Law 35 – Master the Art of Timing | Law 43 – Work on the Hearts and Minds of Others |
| Law 4 – Always Say Less than Necessary | Law 12 – Use Selective Honesty and Generosity to Disarm your Victim | Law 20 – Do Not Commit to Anyone | Law 28 – Enter Action with Boldness | Law 36 – Disdain Things you cannot have: Ignoring them is the best Revenge | Law 44 – Disarm and Infuriate with the Mirror Effect |
| Law 5 – So Much Depends on Reputation – Guard it with your Life | Law 13 – When Asking for Help, Appeal to People’s Self-Interest, Never to their Mercy or Gratitude | Law 21 – Play a Sucker to Catch a Sucker – Seem Dumber than your Mark | Law 29 – Plan All the Way to the End | Law 37 – Create Compelling Spectacles | Law 45 – Preach the Need for Change, but Never Reform too much at Once |
| Law 6 – Court Attention at all Cost | Law 14 – Pose as a Friend, Work as a Spy | Law 22 – Use the Surrender Tactic: Transform Weakness into Power | Law 30 – Make your Accomplishments Seem Effortless | Law 38 – Think as you like but Behave like others | Law 46 – Never appear too Perfect |
| Law 7 – Get others to do the Work for you, but Always Take the Credit | Law 15 – Crush your Enemy Totally | Law 23 – Concentrate Your Forces | Law 31 – Control the Options: Get Others to Play with the Cards you Deal | Law 39 – Stir up Waters to Catch Fish | Law 47 – Do not go Past the Mark you Aimed for; In Victory, Learn when to Stop |
| Law 8 – Make other People come to you – use Bait if Necessary | Law 16 – Use Absence to Increase Respect and Honor | Law 24 – Play the Perfect Courtier | Law 32 – Play to People’s Fantasies | Law 40 – Despise the Free Lunch | Law 48 – Assume Formlessness |
What I learned From the 48 laws of Power
I’m not going to give you a rundown of each law and how I think they should be enacted.
Rather I’ll be giving you the insight I gained from the book after reading it over the years.
The biggest takeaway I’ve garnered from “The 48 Laws of Power” Is largely
how to present myself to the world.
It’s not to say that you should be INAUTHENTIC or be a completely DIFFERENT person based on where you are.
Rather, the book highlights for numerous reasons why you should aim to organize your thoughts and opinions carefully with who you’re with.
If you have conflicting viewpoints on trivial things or LARGE topics, as an example.
Let’s say you think blue raspberry is better than cherry. (You are right btw)
Then have a fun back and forward on that and tease people a bit.
(Let them know they aren’t trustworthy because they make BAD decisions about the MOST important flavour of lollipop.)
But if you have disdain for someone and it’s going to be awkward for you to bring it up on an unrelated whim, then perhaps think twice before speaking.
What I think will be the most useful for most guys
Like Depeche Mode’s universally famous “enjoy the silence” would refrain:
“Words are very unnecessary.”
And that’s also something that’s brought up through numerous examples in this book as well.
Even one of the laws of power softly alludes to this:
“Law 4, Always say less than necessary”
You convey your ideas or thoughts with words.
You win the hearts, and respect of others through your actions.
Reading this alongside of “Mediations” really gives you a great way to recenter yourself.
I honestly recommend them both for EVERYONE.
They are two books that teach of yourself at depths you didn’t think possible.
Though, you can definitely find utility in the laws practical, direct interpretation and application:
“Never commit to anyone, Do Not Offend the Wrong Person, Disdain things you cannot have, Enter into action with boldness… Etc. etc.”
Generally good life advice in my opinion.
Where to find The 48 Laws Of Power
There are literally SO many ways to listen or read that I’ll just give you a few.
Listen to 48 Laws of Power for Free:
The way I recommend, as it’s probably the funniest and most engaging:
Illacertus’ video outlining the book is GREAT.
(he also has a 2 and a half hour long version as well)
You get little lessons; cool animations, and he has a great voice with funny little quips every now and again.
Also, If you don’t like summaries, here is the full audiobook, for free on YouTube.
Paid options + Audible.com Sponsorship (free trial)
Want to listen to it on your phone/anywhere as a full audiobook in high quality?
You can listen to it as an Audible.com Audiobook here.
Click this link to enjoy a FREE thirty-day trial of Audible Premium Plus and select “48 laws of power” as your free credit.
(After 30 days, if you don’t cancel your trial will renew and charge your card. If you have amazon prime, link audible to your account and you get TWO credits free instead of 1)
I have a myriad of books in my audible library that helped me grow IMMENSELY at the start of my Journey.
I’m positive Audible will be of immense value to you too!
If you prefer to physically READ books and add them to your collection:
You can buy the hardback version here (Expensive imo)
Here’s the link to the paperback version.
(much more affordable.)
Also FYI links on the page DO support me by giving a small commission at no extra cost to you.
If not completely obvious, the affiliate links in no way shape my opinions or outcome of this article and ones to follow…
(These are just book reviews and you have free options to choose from in the articles too.)
In Conclusion:
The 48 Laws of Power is a great book to gain new insight into the world.
Alongside of this, maybe you can find some areas of your personality you can strengthen by applying some of these laws to your own life.
(If you’re too agreeable and “Nice” try saying less, concealing your intentions, and being less predictable with your actions to over-extend kindness.)
Also, I HIGHLY recommend you come back for newer updates.
Books like “Meditations” and the standard Self improvement stuff will be here
*2025 Damon here, adding recommended reading to SIG*
I’ll touch on “No More Mr. Nice Guy” and then also just some of my favorite philosophy books.
(2025 Damon here, if you love philosophy, check out my other blog philosophyforme.com here)
If you guys have any of your own favorite “go-to’s” leave them in the comments, I LOVE recommendations.
Until Next Time, Toodles!
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