People tend to feel miserable and helpless when they do not have power over others. It is part of human nature to seek for more power. This fact is evident throughout the history of human civilization. However, in the modern days, everything must appear civilized, democratic, fair and decent. Yet Robert Greene was able to clearly demonstrate how subtle application and mastery of the 48 Laws of Power will allow us to gain control over both of our inner and outer world.
To master the game of power requires looking at the world in a certain way. Preferably from a paradigm shift. Greene was able bring the traditional view of power into the positive light that illustrates the indifference of power, elegantly.
According to Greene, the concept of Power itself is not of being right or wrong, ethical or unethical. Power is amoral. It is an idea of being able to observe one’s circumstances and not taking things personally. While observing one’s opponents, it is important to understand that their power does not come from intention, but the effects of both their action and inaction.
True mastery of power comes from practice and experience. It is not gained by mere study or discussion. This is the same as studying any other discipline. The laws that are being presented in this masterpiece are definite and practical.
Greene goes on to describe how one’s inaction and detachment from every circumstances by chance, contributes to gain true power. To gain power mastery, one must be able to judge all things by what their cost are and use this method in each and every circumstances. With that, they will never waste valuable capital such as time, peace of mind, money, and etc on unnecessary matters.
It is a social game. It is a game of appearance. It is socially agreeable that human relationship and human itself is complex. However, the most powerful people are the greatest psychologists of all. They do not discriminate, do not trust anyone completely and they study everyone, including the loved ones.
Greene stated there is a simple premise to power: Certain actions almost always increase one’s power, while others decrease it and even ruin it. I prefer to call this the Western Sun Tzu of the 21st Century. It distilled the fusion of both western and eastern philosophy and wisdom on the subject of Power.
We can never get away from Power. Neither can we opt out from the power game. In our everyday lives, we play the role of either an influencer or the one being influenced. The better we are at dealing with power, the better person we become. If you want to know how to master power and dictates the destiny of your inner and outer world, you’ll have to read the book!