Submitted by: Alexandra Regilyne M.

Romero BSMT II The 48 Laws of Power As Abraham Lincoln once said, Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power. The 48 laws of power enumerate the things and guidelines that an individual whos in power should follow. These laws contained important factors which can affect an individual. It has been said that once these laws have been spontaneously followed an individual will attain success, and thus the opposite, once it was violated an individual may experience failures or worse it may cause its downfall. Some of these laws contained strategies on how to win over people. Such laws are law number 9, 32 and 43. Law number 9 which ironically stated that win through your actions, never through argument. This law explained the power of actions over words. Arguments can only cause misunderstanding. Most of the people were impressed on someones ideas through its words yet as time goes by they will look for direct actions for those words. From this law it can be said that an individual should save their time in saying things and rather spend their time in performing it. Law number 32 stated that play to peoples fantasies, it has been said that people doesnt only need changes such as world peace and the like, but they also had something in mind such as wealth and fame which an individual should also look at. Law number 43 stated that work on the hearts and minds of others which explained that an individual should also focus on the primary emotion of the people such as love, hate, anger and others. It can be said that to maintain power an individual should not focused his/her attention

in his/her own needs, thus they should give more emphasized to the needs of the people. There are also laws which thought some line of attack to opponent and against the offender; such laws are law number 15, 21, 36, 39 and 44. These laws stated on how to win over an enemy without him/her noticing it. As law 36 stated, disdain things you cannot have: ignoring them is the best revenge, it is a powerful move to ignore the enemys attack, as it said the more attention you pay an enemy, the stronger you make him. If it is impossible to ignore, it is still advisable to keep or hide it. Another strategy is stated on law 39 which can be very effective, stir up waters to catch fish. It explained that triggering an enemy is a great strategy, make him/her angry in such a way that they would be very insulted and once this person made a revenge an individual should stay calm and act like unaffected to the event. Law number 44 is also a good way of deceiving an enemy, yet this might be dangerous, this law stated that disarm and infuriate with the mirror effect. This can be done through shadow effect or mimicking. Some laws also contained strategically advice on how to hide the flaws and intentions of the individual. Such laws are law number 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 26, 27, and 38. According to law number 3, conceal your intentions. It is proper to exhibit false sincerity, especially if an individual has a great agenda over power. This could be effective by following the rule number 4, which said that always say less than necessary. It is better to choose and limit the words to utter since it is less dangerous as a popular quote once said Once the words are out you cannot take them back. By keeping silent can also be means opening your minds to others ideas. These ideas can be use as an instrument against them throughout the duration. Another great strategy is found on law number 14 which stated, pose as a friend, work as a spy. This could be done by deceiving others and

by using other people for your own benefits. Acting like a parasite is very effective especially if an individual needs specific information against others. Whereas, the law 26 said that an individual should always maintain a good image. Since an individual is in power, it is important to have a good reputation as being a leader to everyone. Thus, once they perform mischievous tasks and attacks, as the law pointed keep your hands clean. In very laws, there are always the dos and donts, some of its donts are stated on law number 1, 2, 10, 18, 19, 20, 41, 45, 46 and 47. Law number 2 stated, Never put too much trust in friends, learn how to use enemy. This law tried to explain that in real life, predators can be useful. In power, skills and competency are more valuable than friendly feelings. Yet there are still boundaries and limitations in choosing and keeping an enemy, as law number 19 indicated, know who youre dealing with do not offend the wrong person. It is effective to use other people, but be careful because they might have, too, the same agenda. Never trust appearances, for looks may be deceiving, make an extra research about the facts and characteristics of that predator, and from that conclude whether he/she can be useful or not. Another necessary law is on law number 20, do not commit to anyone this explained that to gained power is to maintained independent. Ironically, An individual whos in power should not feel obligated to anyone to maintain his/her superiority, it should always be a key point that to power is security as you secured yourself, you secured your position. Whereas, in law number 46 stated that, never appear too perfect. A person in power should act like a human being to everybody. An individual should also display weaknesses, yet this should not be a cause for downfall.

Above all laws, there are techniques which is for personal strategies that can be a form of self development and improvement, most of these laws are law number 5, 6, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 39, 35, 37, 40, 42 and 48. Most of these laws are stepping stone to success in power. As law number 16 stated, Use absence to increase respect and honor. This explained that making yourself less accessible will enable you to gained respect and honor. Another strategy is stated on law number 35, simple yet vital, master the art of timing. Through this an individual can anticipate the upcoming problems, thus enable to solve it immediately. And if you have timing, the probability of being in a hurry is less; hence, it will not affect the quality of your work. And what I found the most important above all is, the law number 29 which said plan all the way to the end. This can be successfully done, when an individual already exhibit the other laws stated above. This law explained that planning things accordingly will help an individual to overcome problems thus, achieve his/her success. These 48 laws of power are all vital to the society especially to an individual whos in power. It measures the capabilities of an individual in performing their task, duties and obligations. It reveals the flaws and strategies of an individual acting towards it. Thus, even an individual doesnt consider power it is still important to know this for their own sake and development. Knowing this will make every people wise in terms of choosing who to lead, believing in what they say, trusting on what they do, and compromising with the people whos in power. And if majority will perform that this 48 laws would either become effective or ineffective.