Quotes from book

The 48 Laws of Power

“Sometimes any emotion is better than the boredom of security.”

“Power is a game, and in games you do not judge your opponents by their intentions but by the effects of their actions.”

“Hide your intentions not by closing up (with the risk of appearing secretive, and making people suspicious) but by talking endlessly about your desires and goals-just not the real ones.”

“To succeed in the game of power, you have to master your emotions. But even if you succeed in gaining such self-control, you can never control the temperamental dispositions of those around you. And this presents a great danger.”

“Without enemies around us, we grow lazy. An enemy at our heels sharpens our wits, keeping us focused and alert. It is sometimes better, then, to use enemies as enemies rather than transforming them into friends or allies.”

“Never be distracted by people’s glamorous portraits of themselves and their lives; search and dig for what really imprisons them.”

“person who cannot control his words shows that he cannot control himself, and is unworthy of respect.”

“Always make those above you feel comfortably superior.”

“Keep your friends for friendship, but work with the skilled and competent”

“… But the human tongue is a beast that few can master. It strains constantly to break out of its cage, and if it is not tamed, it will tun wild and cause you grief.”

“When you show yourself to the world and display your talents, you naturally stir all kinds of resentment, envy, and other manifestations of insecurity… you cannot spend your life worrying about the petty feelings of others”

“If, for example, you are miserly by nature, you will never go beyond a certain limit; only generous souls attain greatness.”

“You cannot repress anger or love, or avoid feeling them, and you should not try.”

“The mighty lion toys with the mouse that crosses his path—any other reaction would mar his fearsome reputation.”

“A man said to a Dervish: “Why do I not see you more often?” The Dervish replied, “Because the words ‘Why have you not been to see me?’ are sweeter to my ear than the words ‘Why have you come again?”

“The key to power, then, is the ability to judge who is best able to further your interests in all situations. Keep friends for friendship, but work with the skilled and competent.”

“It is not much good being wise among fools and sane among lunatics.”

“A Prince asked the dying spanish statesman, "Does your Excellency forgive all your enemies?" "I do not have to forgive all my enemies," answered the stateman, "I have had them all shot.”

“Strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter”