Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,000+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
The 48 Laws of Power (Old Version) summary
Robert Greene
The secret methods to getting what you want
33 mins
Brief summary
The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene is a compelling and in-depth analysis of the mechanisms of power and how to attain it. It illustrates 48 laws that are used by successful individuals to achieve their goals and dominate over others.
Table of Contents
The 48 Laws of Power (Old Version)
Summary of 12 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 12
Don’t outdo the master.
Have you ever tried to impress your boss, only to have your efforts backfire on you? Well, you may have accidentally violated the first law of the game of power, which is, in Greene’s words, to never outshine the master.
The first law of power dictates that we should appear humble to our superiors, the people who have more power than we do.
After all, powerful people want to be the center of attention; trying too hard to impress them can shift attention away from them and onto you, hurting their pride in the process.
But what’s even worse is acting superior to them, a move that could lead your boss to think of you as a threat to their position. If this happens, they may – they probably will – attempt to remove you from your position entirely.
Take the relationship between King Louis XIV of France and Nicolas Fouquet, the king’s finance minister. A smart and loyal advisor, Fouquet became indispensable, but this didn’t guarantee him the position of prime minister when the incumbent minister died. To gain the king’s favor, Fouquet threw a lavish party at his extravagantly furnished chateau to show the king how well-connected and influential he was.
The next day, Fouquet was arrested by order of the king. Louis XIV felt overshadowed, and he accused the minister of stealing to amass such extravagant wealth. The veracity of the accusation was beside the point. Fouquet lived out his remaining days in a prison cell.
So now you know: acts of extravagance and demonstrations of personal brilliance might not impress your boss. Quite the contrary. So how can you gain favor? Well, a better strategy is to always make the person in charge look better than everyone else, including yourself.
Take Galileo Galilei as an example. He desperately needed funding for his research and found an ingenious way to get it. He had spent years begging various patrons for funding, but would usually receive gifts instead of the necessary cash. So he decided to focus on one family – the Medicis – when, in 1610, he discovered the four moons of Jupiter.
Shortly before, Cosimo II de’ Medici had established Jupiter as the symbol for the Medici dynasty. When Galileo discovered Jupiter’s four moons, he linked his discovery to the enthronement of Cosimo II de’ Medici, proclaiming it a cosmic event that heralded the family’s ascendancy. He said that the four moons represented Cosimo II and his three brothers, while Jupiter itself was Cosimo I, the father of the four Medici brothers. This tickled his patron’s ego, who interpreted the discovery as a heavenly omen confirming the family’s greatness.
By making the Medici family appear glorious and aligning their name with the cosmos, Galileo secured himself a salaried position as the official philosopher and mathematician of Cosimo II. He never had to beg for funding again.
Want to see all full key ideas from The 48 Laws of Power (Old Version)?
Key ideas in The 48 Laws of Power (Old Version)
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is The 48 Laws of Power (Old Version) about?
The 48 Laws of Power (1998) takes an irreverent look at the fundamental characteristics of power, and how to understand it, defend against it and use it to your advantage These blinks offer compelling insights, backed by historical examples, into the dynamics of competition and control.
The 48 Laws of Power (Old Version) Review
The 48 Laws of Power (Old Version) (1998) by Robert Greene is an intriguing book that sheds light on the principles of attaining and exerting power. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Packed with timeless strategies, it offers practical insights on how to navigate the complex dynamics of power in different situations.
- Drawing from historical examples and case studies, Greene presents a compelling analysis of power dynamics, making the book informative and enlightening.
- Its provocative nature as it challenges conventional wisdom and encourages readers to critically evaluate power dynamics makes the book anything but boring.
Who should read The 48 Laws of Power (Old Version)?
- Entrepreneurs looking to gain the upper hand in their market
- Anybody who wants to acquire power, or protect themselves and others from it
- People interested in the history of power dynamics
Categories with The 48 Laws of Power (Old Version)
Book summaries like The 48 Laws of Power (Old Version)
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
31 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
The 48 Laws of Power (Old Version) FAQs
What is the main message of The 48 Laws of Power (Old Version)?
The main message of The 48 Laws of Power (Old Version) is how to gain and maintain power in various aspects of life.
How long does it take to read The 48 Laws of Power (Old Version)?
The reading time for The 48 Laws of Power (Old Version) varies, but it takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in a matter of minutes.
Is The 48 Laws of Power (Old Version) a good book? Is it worth reading?
The 48 Laws of Power (Old Version) is a fascinating read that offers insights into the dynamics of power. It's definitely worth your time.
Who is the author of The 48 Laws of Power (Old Version)?
The author of The 48 Laws of Power (Old Version) is Robert Greene.
How many chapters are in The 48 Laws of Power (Old Version)?
The 48 Laws of Power (Old Version) has multiple chapters, but they don't have specific titles. The book is organized into several sections rather than traditional chapters.
How many pages are in The 48 Laws of Power (Old Version)?
The 48 Laws of Power (Old Version) contains a total of 452 pages.
When was The 48 Laws of Power (Old Version) published?
The 48 Laws of Power (Old Version) was published in the year 1998.
What to read after The 48 Laws of Power (Old Version)?
If you're wondering what to read next after The 48 Laws of Power (Old Version), here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Daily Laws by Robert Greene
- 12 Rules For Life by Jordan B. Peterson
- The Art of War by Sun Tzu
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
- The Art of Seduction by Robert Greene
- 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do by Amy Morin
- Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss and Tahl Raz
- How to Talk to Anyone by Leil Lowndes
- Influence by Robert B. Cialdini
- The Laws of Human Nature by Robert Greene