This document summarizes the 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene. It outlines 16 laws on the effective use and acquisition of power. Some of the key laws discussed include never outshining your master, using enemies strategically, concealing your intentions, speaking less, guarding your reputation, courting attention, getting others to do work while taking credit, appealing to self-interest when asking for help, and completely crushing your enemies. The laws generally advocate for deception, manipulation, and exploiting others to attain and maintain power.

1. The 48 Laws of Power
Book Summary
Submitted By:
Group 1
Nikhil Madan(PGP30323)
Mit Kotecha(PGP30207)
Ruchi Singh(PGP30220)
Divleen Talwar(PGP30017)

2. LAW 1: Never Outshine the Master
House Slave
Stephen knew it
the best !!!
• Make your superior feel comfortable
• Do not show your talent too much, as it will make your
superiors feel insecure
• Make the Master appear brilliant then they are and you will
attain the heights of power
There can be only one Sun In the Sky
at a time so never rival its brilliance.

3. LAW 2: Never put too much trust in friends,
Learn to use Enemies
Your enemies are like an untapped gold
mine that you must learn to exploit.
• Friends will quickly betray you whereas enemies
are more loyal, as they have more to prove
• Keep friends as friends, but work with those
who are intelligent and skilled
• Hire your former enemies

4. LAW 3: Conceal your Intentions
Deception is always the best strategy, but the best deceptions require a
screen of smoke to distract people’s attention from your real purpose.

5. LAW 4: Always say Less than Necessary
A person who cannot control his words shows that he
cannot control himself, and is unworthy of respect.
• More you speak More common you look
• Attain better control by speaking less
• Powerful people impress and intimidate by
speaking less, as people fail to decipher the
real intentions
Be like Oracle of
Delphi !!!

6. LAW 5: So much Depends on Reputation –
Guard it with your Life
Reputation is the
cornerstone of Power
Reputation alone can make
you Win
Destroy enemies by
attacking their Reputation
and then step aside to see
Public hanging them

7. LAW 6:Court Attention At All Cost
• Everything is judged by appearance, what is
unseen counts for nothing
• Never get lost in the crowd
• Be mysterious, appear more colorful than masses

8. LAW 7: Get Others To Do The Work, But
Always Take Credit
Use the skills of others to do the work for you and
never do yourself what others can do for you.
This will help you in increasing your efficiency.

9. LAW 8:Make Other People Come To You – Use
Bait If Necessary
• When you force others to act, you’re in control.
• Make opponents come to you.
• Lure with gains, then attack.

10. LAW 9:Win Through Your Actions, Never
Through Argument
• You never win through argument.
• The resentment last long.
• It’s more powerful to agree with actions.

11. LAW 10:Infection: Avoid The Unhappy and
Unlucky
• You’ll die from other’s misery - emotional states are as infectious as diseases.
• The unfortunate draw misfortune on themselves and will draw it on you.
• Associate with the happy and fortunate.

12. LAW 11:Learn To Keep People Dependent On
You

13. LAW 12:Use Selective Honesty and Generosity
to Disarm Your Victim

14. LAW 13:When Asking For Help, Appeal To People’s
Self-Interest, Never To Their Mercy or Gratitude
• In your quest for power, you’ll constantly be asking others, more powerful than you, for help. Fulfillment of his
self-interest will excite him to participate. Reminders of past good deeds are fruitless as people are generally
not interested in others’ needs.
• Find something that will benefit them and emphasize it out of proportion.

15. LAW 14:Pose As A Friend, Work As A Spy

16. LAW 15:Crush Your Enemy Totally