There are many different kinds of people in the world, and you can never assume that everyone will react to your strategies in the same way. Deceive or outmaneuver some people and they will spend the rest of their lives seeking revenge. They are wolves in sheeps’ clothing. Choose opponents with care… never offend or deceive the wrong person.
In your rise to power you will come across many breeds of people. The highest form of power entails the ability to distinguish the wolves from the sheeps, the foxes from the hares, and the hawks from the vultures. If you make this distinction well, you will succeed without needing to coerce anyone too much. But if you deal blindly with whoever crosses your path, you will live a life of misery.
Don’t take for granted those you deal with are weaker or less important than you are. Some people are slow to take offense, which may make you misjudge the thickness of their skin, and fail to worry about insulting them. But should you bruise their ego or self-esteem, they will overwhelm you with a violence that’s devastating, given to slowness of their anger.
If you want to turn people down, it is best to do so politely and respectfully, even if you feel their request is impudent or their offer ridiculous. Never reject them with an insult until you know them better!
Excerpted From: The 48 Laws of Power, Robert Greene
2007 Shaques Publishing Inc.
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