Gather information discreetly to stay ahead.
Do Not Commit to Anyone: Stay neutral to maintain flexibility and power.
Play a Sucker to Catch a Sucker—Seem Dumber Than Your Mark: Appear less intelligent to manipulate others.
Play the Perfect Courtier:
Master the art of flattery and subtlety in power circles.
Re-Create Yourself: Shape your image to control how others perceive you.
Play on People’s Need to Believe to Create a Cultlike Following: Exploit others’ desire for meaning to build loyalty.
Plan All the Way to the End:
Anticipate consequences and plan accordingly.
Defensive Tactics
Enter Action with Boldness: Hesitation signals weakness; act decisively.
Make Your Accomplishments Seem Effortless: Hide your hard work to appear naturally gifted.
Control the Options:
Get Others to Play with the Cards You Deal: Limit others’ choices to your advantage.
Discover Each Man’s Thumbscrew: Find others’ weaknesses to exploit them.
Master the Art of Timing: Know when to act or wait for maximum effect.
Stir Up Waters to Catch Fish:
Create chaos to unsettle opponents and gain opportunities.
Power Dynamics and Deception
Conceal Your Intentions (repeated for emphasis): Deception is key to maintaining an edge.
Play to People’s Fantasies: Appeal to desires rather than harsh realities.
Be Royal in Your Own Fashion: Act Like a King to Be Treated as One: Project authority to gain respect.
Disdain Things You Cannot Have: Ignoring Them Is the Best Revenge: Devalue what’s out of reach to maintain control.
Create Compelling Spectacles:
Use grand gestures to inspire and distract.
Despise the Free Lunch: What’s free often comes with strings; value your independence.
Ruthlessness and Pragmatism
Crush Your Enemy Totally (repeated for emphasis): Ensure no comeback is possible.
Avoid Stepping into a Great Man’s Shoes: Forge your own path to avoid comparisons.
Strike the Shepherd and the Sheep Will Scatter: Target leaders to dismantle groups.
Work on the Hearts and Minds of Others: Win loyalty through emotional manipulation.
Preach the Need for Change, but Never Reform Too Much at Once: Gradual change prevents resistance.
Never Appear Too Perfect: Show minor flaws to avoid envy and suspicion.
Do Not Go Past the Mark You Aimed For; In Victory, Learn When to Stop: Overreaching can undo success.