The 48 Laws Of Power

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1998

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Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Preface and Laws 1-16

Laws 17-32

Laws 33-48

Key Figures

Themes

Index of Terms

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Index of Terms

Power

Power is the ability to influence events or other people. As power depends on the relationships between people, it can only exist by exposure to society and not in isolation. In his manual to empowerment, Greene teaches that acquiring power is the means to getting what we want. Aware that we live in a society where “it is dangerous to seem too power hungry, to be overt with your power moves” (24), Greene devises subtle, often underhand strategies that will enable us to manipulate people and remove obstacles to our progress.

Amoral

Crucially, Greene describes power as amoral and therefore unconcerned about preconceived notions of right and wrong. Those who are to attain power will prioritize the circumstances of a particular situation rather than its moral aspect and play the characteristics of the moment to their advantage. Greene asserts that in the world of power, you judge not by intentions but by the effect of actions in the real world. Then, you plan your next move pragmatically, rather than in line with your ideals.

Court

A court can is a social structure surrounding the person in power. Traditionally, it is the structure that gathers around a monarch and occupies the physical location of their residence. While referring to the aristocratic courts of Europe might seem outdated, Greene maintains that despite the more egalitarian veneer of modern organizations, court-like power structures continue to exist, with employees having to subtly curry favor in the manor of the old courtiers. He even goes as far as saying “the world is like a giant scheming court, and we are trapped inside it, there is no use trying to opt out of the game” unless you are to become powerless (28). This metaphor implies that courts and their protocol are an inevitable part of life.

Enemy

An enemy can be defined as the antagonist or competitor, who on the surface, appears to present an obstacle to your progress. However, Greene shows that enemies can often be more useful than friends in spurring you on towards excellence, as they stop you from being self-satisfied and resting on your laurels. In fact, he deems enemies so crucial to a person’s success that he advises those without opponents to seek them out.

Greene also reverses conventional wisdom in stating that you are often safer with an enemy than a friend. You always know where you stand with an enemy and never lose sight of the fact that people are essentially self-interested, which enables you to protect yourself from them. Conversely, friends’ emotions can change over time, and they may go from loving you to serving their own interests and betraying you.

Formlessness

Greene defines the state of formlessness as one of chameleon-like adaptability, where the powerful do not occupy a single form long enough to become known and so mastered by their enemies. In contrast, the formless can use the weapon of surprise, which forces their enemies to act on their own timing rather than the other way around. It is also the state best adopted by queens and those without the traditional face of power, as they can adapt their strategies to suit the times and protect an aura of seductive elusiveness.