The 48 Laws of Power

I'm reading this book slowly. From reading the basic intro of the laws, the preface and the first law, I realize that I do a lot of what is suggested in here already without trying.

First law: " Never Outshine The Master"- basically always make the "master" feel needed, wanted and brilliant. I understand this but at the same time if they are idiots how can you make them look better? How can you make them appear brilliant when every word that comes out of their mouths is banal (new word for me) and ignorant beyond measure? How do you find the balance of making them appear greater and still hold on to reality? I realize that sometimes you have to make someone look better to avoid their embarassment. Sometimes it involves saving them from themselves knowing you will receive nothing in return, and in the worst case be spurned for doing so regardless if it saved them and their position.

" Avoid outshining the master. All superiority is odious, but the superiority of a subject over his prince is not only stupid, it is fatal. This is a lesson that the stars in the sky teach us- they may be related to the sun, and just as brilliant, but they never appear in her company" Baltasar Gracian

It goes on to say if the "master" is a falling star aid in the fall but be discreet. " "Outdo, outcharm, outsmart him at key moments." " Do not be merciful." But if the "master" is feeble do not outshine him them it will appear cruel. So choose your victim wisely.

Things that make you go "hmmmmmmmm"...


Food for thought:

When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual generalities, but this is what they heard:

"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We confess that we have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and call it Pluralism. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of ___expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Amen!"