The 48 Laws Of Power

Accepting

the

gifts

createdakindof

equality

betweendukeandwriter:The

dukewas
put

atease

by

the

feeling

thathewas

dealing

withamanof

his

ownaristocratic
stamp.

Hefunded

Aretino

generously.

The

giftstrategy

is

subtleandbrilliantbecause
you

donot

beg:

Youaskfor

help

in

a

dignified

way

that

impliesequality

betweentwo

people,

oneofwhom

justhappens

tohavemore
money.

Remember:Itis

up

to

you

toset

your

own

price.

As}:forlessandthat

is

just

what

you

will

get

Askfor

more,however,

and

you

senda

signal

that

you

are

worth

a

king’s

ransom.Eventhose

whoturn

you

down

respectyou

for
your

confidence,

andthat

respect

will

eventuallypay

offin

waysyou

cannot

imagine.

Image:

The

Crown.Place

it

uponyour

head

and

you

assumea

different

pose——tranqui1

yetradiating

assurance.Nevershow

doubt,

neverlose

your

dignity

beneath

the

crown,

oritwillnotfit.Itwillseem

tobedestinedforonemore

worthy.

Do

notwaitfora

coronation;

the

great»

est

emperors

crownthemselves.

Authority:Everyone

shouldbe

royal

afterhisownfashion.Letall

your

actions,

even

thoughthey

arenot

thoseofa

king,

be,

intheirown

sphere, worthy

of

one. BC sublimein

your

deeds,

lofty

in

your

thoughts;

andinall

your

doings

Showthat

you

deservetobea

king

even

thoughyou

arenotonein

reality.(Baltasar

Gracizin,

l60l~lC>58)

LAW 34 289