Reading The 48 Laws of Power: A Lesson in How the World Really Works

I just finished reading The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene, and honestly, it’s one of the most eye-opening nonfiction books I’ve ever read 😆. Most of the nonfiction books I usually pick up are about self-help, parenting, or leadership, but this one gave me a completely different perspective on how power actually works in the world.

This book isn’t necessarily a guide on what to do, but more of a manual on understanding how people—especially in competitive environments—operate. We’re often taught that if we’re good, others will treat us the same way. But the reality is much more complicated. People have different motivations, ambitions, and, sometimes, the ability to be completely ruthless to get what they want.

Since childhood, no one ever tells us that to survive, we need to understand how amoral others can be. We grow up believing that kindness will always be met with kindness 😊. But the truth is, not everyone plays fair. As social beings, our lives are deeply connected to others, but unfortunately, not everyone has good intentions. This book didn’t teach me to follow the laws, but it definitely made me more aware and prepared to face the world.

There are 48 laws about Power in this book, and here are some of the laws that really stood out to me:

Law 1: Never Outshine the Master

In any work environment, people often look down on those who constantly praise their boss, calling them brown-nosers or suck-ups 😂. But let’s be real—those are the people who usually stay in their boss’s good graces and get better opportunities. That’s just how the world works.

Page 1: Make your master appear more brilliant than they are and you will attain the heights of power

The ones who consistently support and make their boss look good tend to have an advantage. Meanwhile, some people still believe that simply doing good work will be enough to get recognized. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Hard work matters, but so does knowing how to manage relationships and egos😌.

Law 32: Play to People’s Fantasies

Page 263: Life is so harsh and distressing that people who can manufacture romance or conjure up fantasy are like oases in the desert: everyone flocks to them

Of course, honesty is always the right thing to do—I totally agree with that. But let’s be real, sometimes reality sucks, and no one wants to hear it. This law isn’t about lying; it’s about presenting the truth in a way that people can accept 😆. I know, it sounds bit manipulative 😅.

I see it as a way to wrap up bitter reality with a better plan. People are drawn to hope, vision, and possibilities, not just cold, hard facts. So instead of bluntly saying, "This is bad," why not show them a way forward? Sometimes, packaging reality in a more inspiring way makes all the difference.

Law 38: Think as You Like, but Behave Like Others

We’ve all heard quotes like “Be yourself!” or “It’s okay to be different!” or “Embrace your uniqueness!”—and while that sounds great, reality doesn’t always work that way. The truth is, if you stand out too much, people may struggle to accept you. Sometimes, blending in and going with the flow is just the smarter move.

Page 317: If you make a show of going against the times, flaunting your unconventional ideas and unorthodox ways, people will think that you only want attention and that you look down upon them

Does that mean you’re not being your real self?😆 Honestly, I don’t know. But I’ve seen how people get excluded or disliked just for being different. Even something as simple as being too vocal in a team can make others uncomfortable. So, how should we behave? For me, the best approach is to be yourself in a way that feels right for you—but always be aware of the consequences of your choices. At the end of the day, balance is key.

Law 46: Never Appear Too Perfect

Always being the best and striving for perfection seems like the right thing to do, but surprisingly, it can be dangerous. Why didn’t anyone tell me this before?😌 When you appear too perfect, you become a threat to others—especially those who envy you. People don’t always admire perfection; sometimes, they resent it. That’s why it’s important to be aware of how you present yourself. A little humility or even showing small imperfections can make you more relatable and less of a target.

Page 400: Appearing better than others is always dangerous, but most dangerous of all is to appear to have no faults or weaknesses. Envy creates silent enemies. It is smart to occasionally display defects, and admit to harmless vices, in order to deflect envy and appear more human and approachable. Only gods and the dead can seem perfect with impunity.

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I think these are some of the laws that stood out to me the most. Yes, this book does offer amoral suggestions, but that doesn’t mean you have to follow them😉. Reading it isn’t about becoming manipulative—it’s about being aware of how the world works. It’s like knowing the rules of a game—even if you don’t play ruthlessly, at least you won’t be naive when others do.