Amoral, cunning, ruthless, and instructive, this multi-million-copy New York Times bestseller is the definitive manual for anyone interested in gaining, observing, or defending against ultimate control – from the author of The Laws of Human Nature.

Some laws teach the need for prudence (“Law 1: Never Outshine the Master”), others teach the value of confidence (“Law 28: Enter Action with Boldness”), and many recommend absolute self-preservation (“Law 15: Crush Your Enemy Totally”). Every law, though, has one thing in common: an interest in total domination. In a bold and arresting two-color package, The 48 Laws of Power is ideal whether your aim is conquest, self-defense, or simply to understand the rules of the game.

 My notes

==[ Laws to Revisit Regularly ]================================================|
I am no corporate ladder climbing power-hungry beast, so not all of the laws are
relevant, or even helpful to me. Noted are the ones I find helpful to me and
that I think are worth revisiting regularly. The ones most striking to me are
29, 35, and 43.

 4.  When speaking, less is more
 5.  Protect reputation with your life. Enemies can be destroyed when their
     reputation is in drought. Through reputation alone you can intimidate and
     win.
 9.  Its better to "win" through action than through word. Do, don't explicate.
 10. Avoid the unhappy and the unlucky. Associate with the fortunate and
     determined.
 13. When asking for help, appeal to their self-interests, not their money.
 16. Use absence to invoke respect and honor. If you are always present, you are
     too available, "too common".
 18. Isolation is no defense. Circulate among people, allies. The crowd sheields
     you and can provide valuable information.
 19. Know who you're dealing with. Friends, allies, enemies.
 20. Do not commit to any 'side' but your own.
 22. Its better to surrender a fight than to lose. One is on your own terms.
 28. Act with boldness. No one honors the timid.
 29. Plan all the way to the end. Account for obstacles and branching paths.
 30. Make your accomplishments seem effortless. Dont reveal how hard, or even
     how, you worked.
 32. Their is great power in tapping into the fantasies of the masses. Reality
     is bleak, offer a more attractive alternative.
 34. Act like a king to be treated like one. Do not appear vulgar or common. A
     king is royal, confident, and respects himself.
 35. Master the art of timing. Become a detective of the right moment, sniff out
     the spirit of the times. Be patient and strike fiercely when the time is
     right.
 36. Pay no mind to critics and their criticism. Acknowledgement lowers you to
     their  level and brings more attention to the critiques.
 37. Create compelling spectacles.
 40. Dont accept gifts or favors. What has value is worth paying for. This
     avoids hidden obligations or "leverage".
 42. Trouble can often be traced to a single source. Strike the Shepard and the
     sheep will scatter.
 43. Work on the hearts and minds of others. Seduce, dont coerce.
 47. Do not go past the mark you aimed for. In victory, know where to stop.
 48. Assume formlessness. Shape is visible. Known plans bring counter-attacks.
     Accept that nothing is certain, be adaptable, be like water.