Law 14: Pose as a Friend, Work as a Spy It is critical to know your enemy. Joseph Duveen was the greatest art dealer in the first half of the 20th century. He monopolized the millionaire art-collecting market. But one millionaire eluded him, Andrew Mellon. Duveen was determined to make Mellon a client even though … Read more
The more you are needed by people, the more freedom and independence you have. In the Middle Ages, a mercenary soldier (condottiere) save the Italian town Siena from a foreign enemy. The citizens of Siena wanted to honor the soldier but could not think of an appropriate way. They thought of making him the ruler … Read more
If you want to be in control, you have to make your opponent come to you. Lure your opponents with what they helplessly desire. In 1814, the major European powers gathered to divide up the remains of Napoleon’s fallen empire. Napoleon had been sent to Elba, an island near the Italian coast. Napoleon’s bravery and … Read more
Chapter 8: Religion God now serves the nation Considering the failure of modern ideologies, governments, and scientific experts in creating a vision for the future, can religion play this role better? Secular people will ridicule this idea. Religious ideas may have served a purpose in the Middle Ages, but what answers can it give us … Read more
Hannibal Appearance is everything, don’t get lose in a crowd. If you don’t stand out, you are sure to disappear into obscurity. Appear larger, more colorful, and more mysterious by the timid and bland masses to get attention. Associate Your Name with the Sensational and the Scandalous Attract your attention to you at all costs, … Read more
Chapter 7: Nationalism Global problems need global answers Despite sharing a single civilization, some people resort to their nationalistic identities, isolating themselves from the rest of the world. Is this a form of escapism, or does a return to nationalism offer real solutions? To answer this question, it is important to recognize that nationalism is … Read more
Pinochet Kissinger Reunion Don’t trust friends, they are likely to betray you because they are predisposed to envy. Hire a former enemy, and he will be more loyal than a friend – he has more to prove. In the 9th century A.D, Michael III, a young man assumed the throne of the Byzantine empire. He … Read more
Chapter 6: Civilization The ‘Clash of Civilizations’ thesis has been revived by recent events in the world. The Syrian civil war, the rise of the Islamic State, Brexit, and the uncertainty surrounding the EU are all indicators that the clash between the West and Islamic civilization is irreconcilable. The attempt to impose western ideals such … Read more
Chapter 5: Community Humans have bodies After the 2016 U.S elections, Silicon Valley’s assumptions had been disrupted. They were used to seeing themselves as part of the solution to bigotry, but now could not deny that they may be part of the problem. They immediately looked for an engineering solution. Facebook’s business model was in … Read more
Law 46: Never Appear too Perfect It is dangerous to appear better than others, it is especially dangerous to appear to have no faults. Envy creates secret enemies; it is wise to display defects and vices to deflect envy from others. Only the gods and the dead can get away with appearing perfect. A greedy … Read more