Arquivo do mês: maio 2012

#33 – Discover each man’s thumbscrew “Everyone has a weakness, a gap in the castle wall. That weakness is usually an insecurity, an uncontrollable emotion or need; it can also be a secret pleasure. Either way, once found, it is … Continue lendo →

#32 – Play to people’s fantasies “The truth is often avoided because it is ugly and unpleasant. Never appeal to truth and reality unless you are prepared for the anger that comes with disenchantment. Life is so harsh and distressing … Continue lendo →

#31 – Control the options: get others to play with the cards you deal “The best deceptions are the ones that seem to give the other person a choice; Your victims feel they are in control, but are actually your … Continue lendo →

#30 – Make your accomplishments seem effortless “Your actions must seem natural and executed with ease. All the toil and practice that go into them, and also all the clever tricks, must be concealed. When you act, act effortlessly, as … Continue lendo →

#29 – Plan all the way to the end “The ending is everything. Plan all the way to it, taking into account all the possible consequences, obstacles, and twists of fortune that might reverse your hard work and give the … Continue lendo →

#28 – Enter action with boldness “If you are unsure of a course of action, do not attempt it. Your doubt and hesitations will infect your execution. Timidity is dangerous: Better to enter with boldness. Any mistakes you commit through … Continue lendo →

#27 – Play on people’s need to believe to create a cultlike following “People have an overwhelming desire to believe in something. Become the focal point of such desire by offering them a cause, a new faith to follow. Keep … Continue lendo →

#26 – Keep your hands clean “You must seem a paragon of civility and efficiency: Your hands are never soiled by mistakes and nasty deeds. Maintain such a spotless appearance by using others as scapegoats and cat’s-paws to disguise your … Continue lendo →

#25 – Re-create yourself “Do not accept the roles that society foists on you. Re-create yourself by forging a new identity, one that commands attention and never bores the audience. Be the master of your own image rather than letting … Continue lendo →

#24 – Play the perfect courtier “The perfect courtier thrives in a world where everything revolves around power and political dexterity. He has mastered the art of indirection; he flatters, yields to superiors, and asserts power over others in the … Continue lendo →

#23 – Concentrate your forces “Conserve your forces and energies by keeping them concentrated at their strongest point. You gain more by finding a rich mine and mining it deeper, than by flitting from one shallow mine to another — intensity … Continue lendo →

#22 – Use the surrender tactic: transform weakness into power “When you are weaker, never fight for honor’s sake; choose surrender instead. Surrender gives you time to recover, time to torment and irritate your conqueror, time to wait for his … Continue lendo →

#21 – Play a sucker to catch a sucker — seem dumber than your mark “No one likes feeling stupider than the next person. The trick, then, is to make your victims feel smart — and not just smart, but smarter … Continue lendo →

#20 – Do not commit to anyone “It is the fool who always rushes to take sides. Do not commit to any side or cause by yourself. By maintaining your independence, you become the master of others — playing people … Continue lendo →

#19 – Know who you’re dealing with — do not offend the wrong person “There are many different kids of people in the world, and you can never assume that everyone will react to your strategies in the same way. … Continue lendo →

#18 – Do not build fortresses to protect yourself — isolation is dangerous “The world is dangerous and enemies are everywhere — everyone has to protect themselves. A fortress seems the safest. But isolation exposes you to more dangers than … Continue lendo →

#17 – Keep others in suspended terror: cultivate an air of unpredictability “Humans are creatures of habit with an insatiable need to see familiarity in other people’s actions. Your predictability gives them a sense of control. Turn the tables: Be … Continue lendo →

#16 – Use absence to increase respect and honor “Too much circulation makes the price go down: The more you are seen and heard from, the more common you appear. If you are already established in a group, temporary withdrawal … Continue lendo →

#15 – Crush your enemy totally “All great leaders since Moses have known that a feared enemy must be crushed completely. (Sometimes they have learned this the hard way.) If one ember is left alight, no matter how dimly it … Continue lendo →

#14 – Pose as a friend, work as a spy “Knowing about your rival is critical. Use spies to gather valuable information that will keep you a step ahead. Better still: Play the spy yourself. In polite social encounters, learn … Continue lendo →

#13 – When asking for help, appeal to people’s self-interest, never to their mercy or gratitude “If you need to turn to an alley for help, do not bother to remind him of your past assistance and good deeds. He … Continue lendo →