The Ultimate Guide to Power, 48 Strategies for Control and Success

Unlock your potential and master the art of influence with these 48 powerful strategies for success and control. 

TOKER.TOP - Robert Greene’s book outlines 48 strategic laws designed to help you gain and maintain power in various situations. 

Use these principles wisely while considering context and ethics.

1. Don’t Outshine the Master
   Make your boss feel superior. Don’t reveal too much of your talent to avoid triggering their insecurities.

2. Never Put Too Much Trust in Friends, Use Your Enemies
   Friends may betray you easily, but a well-won enemy can become a loyal ally.

3. Conceal Your Intentions
   Keep others off-balance so they cannot predict your moves.

4. Always Say Less Than Necessary
   Speak sparingly; silence builds strength and prevents you from giving away your plans.

5. Guard Your Reputation at All Costs
   Your reputation is the cornerstone of your power.

6. Court Attention at All Costs
   Stay visible to remain relevant.

7. Get Others to Do the Work for You, but Always Take the Credit
   Leverage the efforts of others to benefit your own cause.

8. Make Others Come to You
   Instead of chasing people, position yourself so that they seek you out.

9. Win Through Your Actions, Never Through Argument
   Demonstrate your point with decisive actions, not endless debate.

10. Avoid the Unhappy and Unlucky
    Surround yourself with positivity; misery is contagious.

11. Make People Dependent on You
    When others rely on you, you hold the true power.

12. Disarm with Selective Honesty and Generosity
    Use calculated honesty and generosity to gain an advantage.

13. When Asking for Help, Appeal to People’s Self-Interest
    Frame your requests in a way that benefits the other party, not just yourself.

14. Pose as a Friend, Work as a Spy
    Learn valuable information from others without revealing your true intent.

15. Crush Your Enemy Totally
    Eliminate threats completely so they cannot recover to challenge you later.

16. Use Absence to Increase Respect and Honor
    Scarcity increases value—make your presence rare to boost your worth.

17. Keep Others in Suspended Terror, Cultivate an Air of Unpredictability
    Being unpredictable creates a sense of mystery and control.

18. Do Not Build Fortresses to Protect Yourself – Isolation is Dangerous
    Engage with a broad network; isolation weakens your influence.

19. Know Who You’re Dealing With, Do Not Offend the Wrong Person
    Carefully choose your adversaries and allies.

20. Do Not Commit to Anyone
    Maintain your independence to avoid being trapped in someone else’s agenda.

21. Play a Sucker to Catch a Sucker – Seem Dumber Than Your Mark
    Underestimate your own intelligence to disarm those around you.

22. Use the Surrender Tactic, Transform Weakness into Power
    Yield strategically to gain the upper hand when the time is right.

23. Concentrate Your Forces
    Focus your energy on what truly matters to achieve maximum impact.

24. Play the Perfect Courtier
    Master the art of mimicry and disguise; never reveal all your cards.

25. Reinvent Yourself
    Take charge of your destiny by continuously evolving your identity.

26. Keep Your Hands Clean
    Delegate troublesome tasks to maintain a pristine image.

27. Play on People’s Need to Believe to Create a Cult-like Following
    Exploit others’ desire for belonging to secure unwavering loyalty.

28. Enter Action with Boldness
    Bold moves are powerful; hesitancy only weakens your stance.

29. Plan All the Way to the End
    A detailed plan prevents unexpected setbacks and surprises.

30. Make Your Accomplishments Seem Effortless
    Downplay your efforts so that your natural talent shines through.

31. Control the Options, Get Others to Play with the Cards You Deal
    Guide decisions by offering limited, strategic choices.

32. Play to People’s Fantasies
    Tap into their emotions and dreams to influence and control.

33. Discover Each Man’s Thumbscrew
    Identify what motivates or manipulates those around you.

34. Be Royal in Your Own Fashion, Act Like a King to be Treated Like One
    Carry yourself with dignity; power often follows an air of regality.

35. Master the Art of Timing
    Understand that every move has its time; do not rush.

36. Despise What You Cannot Have: Ignoring the Unattainable
    Don’t obsess over what is out of reach.

37. Create Compelling Spectacles
    Use theatrical flair to capture and hold attention.

38. Think as You Like but Behave Like Others
    Keep your revolutionary ideas discreet while fitting in socially.

39. Stir Up Waters to Catch Fish
    Create controlled chaos to provoke mistakes from your adversaries.

40. Despise the Free Lunch
    Nothing comes for free; be wary of hidden costs.

41. Avoid Stepping into Great Men’s Shoes
    Forge your own path rather than following in someone else’s footsteps.

42. Strike the Shepherd and the Sheep Will Scatter
    Undermine a leader to destabilize their group.

43. Work on the Hearts and Minds of Others
    Influence people by winning over their emotions and thoughts.

44. Disarm and Infuriate with the Mirror Effect
    Reflect your opponents’ actions back at them to unsettle their strategy.

45. Preach the Need for Change, but Never Reform Too Much at Once
    Introduce change gradually to avoid triggering resistance.

46. Never Appear Too Perfect
    Perfection breeds envy; a little flaw makes you more relatable.

47. Do Not Go Past the Mark You Aimed For; in Victory, Learn When to Stop
    Know when to stop to avoid overreaching once you have achieved your goal.

48. Assume Formlessness
    Be adaptable and avoid rigid structures that can limit your power.

While these laws offer tactical insights into power dynamics, it’s essential to apply them ethically and with consideration of your personal values.