Keep people off-balance and in the
dark by never revealing the purpose behind your actions. If they have no clue
what you are up to, they cannot prepare a defense. Guide them far enough down
the wrong path, envelop them in enough smoke, and by the time they realize your
intentions, it will be too late.
‘People that reveal too much die too early.
Powerful people are not known by a number of words, but by the weight of their
actions’. Most people are known to be open books. They say what and how
they feel, and they consistently reveal their intentions and plans. Several
reasons could have caused this. First, we naturally love to talk about
ourselves, feelings, and plans for the future. It takes extra effort for us to bridle our tongue and regulate what we
reveal to people about ourselves.
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Also,
many feel being honest makes them win people’s hearts so they can think they
are good in nature. Well, you may not be
able to influence what people feel about you, as they always choose what to
believe. Even, your honesty can offend people; you rather say what people
want to hear than telling them the bitter truth. Further, when you reveal so much about yourself, you expose yourself
and become more predictable. People will stop respecting or fearing you, and
you can hardly get power in such a way.
You remember the story of Joseph in the bible, he could have achieved his goal and destiny early enough, however, revealing too much delayed his shine. He was even lucky enough; he could have been killed and his destiny goes back to where it comes from. Sometimes, we wish people see our future and destiny and tell us, but God most times doesn’t allow that, because of our unbridled and overrunning tongue.
The bible says, ‘A man’s
enemies are the people of his own house’. Such was also applicable to
Joseph. His own blood brothers were his number one enemy. However, if they never knew anything about him and his future, they
might see no need to delay his journey. Learn to conceal your intentions and plans if you want to get to your
destination early enough.
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Emperor
Selassie, the former leader of ancient Ethiopia had a very long reign because
no one could figure him out. Ethiopians, along with their leaders are known to
be fierce, however, Selassie’s case was different. This simple reason was
responsible for his long reign. Selassie is a gentle and peace-loving man. He
behaves as if he isn’t angry and there is no problem, but he cunningly deletes
his enemy. The most gentle people are
the most dangerous people. They
hardly talk; when others are talking, they are observing. They keep things in their mind and strikes
when no one is paying attention.
The
last words of Balcha of Sidamo when he is about to enter the monastery says, ‘do not underestimate the power of Tafari.
He creeps like a mouse but he has jaws like a lion’. Tafari is also known
as Haile Selassie. He is well respected and feared. He draws awe to himself, so
gentle and loving, but deadly. He crawls like a mouse but could devour you. More reason why you should fear people that
say so little. If you think the deceivers are the colorful folds who
mislead with elaborate lies and tall tales, then you are greatly mistaken. Actually, the best deceivers are the bland
and the inconspicuous front that draw no attention to themselves.
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Most
effective smokescreens used by the deceivers are noble gestures. People feel
noble gestures are genuine, thinking it is pleasant to do good. But people do
not try to see deceit in gestures. Sometimes,
people do good based on their good nature, however, many good gestures are not
genuine. They are only beds on swords. You
may not be oversensitive to people that are good to you, but be very careful
of every good gesture.
‘It takes patience and humility to dull your brilliant colors, to hide yourself. Don’t despair to wear a bland mask, it is your unpredictability that draws people to you and makes you a person of power’. When you are unpredictable and unreadable, people are attracted to you. When people don’t know your intentions, when they can’t read you or don’t know what next you can do, they patiently wait for you, instead of chasing you.
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Since they don’t know your desires or what you wish to become, they see
you as no competition to their goals, they see no need to go after your life.
However when you reveal your goals, then they see you as a threat and have a
thousand reasons why they should hunt you down before getting what they also
want.
Finally, conceal your purpose and
hide your progress.
Don’t disclose the extent of your plans until there is no more opposition;
until the combat is over. Always learn
to win the victory before you declare any war.
The lessons Law 1 Law 2 Law 3
Credit: Robert Greene
We hope you enjoyed this article; you can follow the articles on the reviews of the 48 Laws of Power as we publish. Please remember to drop a comment and as well share so others can learn.
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2 Comments
Hmm, it is well. Nice write up. But some people do fall into the hands of those that will help them after revealing their intentions? There is still a saying that said something shared is something that is being solved? But the best thing is to be prayerful, careful and watchful. There are something's that you don't need to tell people at all you just need to go to God alone, while some you will need the help of man. I stand to be corrected o, if needed. Thank you. Once again, I love your write up is really blessing me..
ReplyDeleteThanks for your reply, we appreciate your input.
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