The less you say, the more intimidating and powerful you are. Always say less than necessary. When you do speak, make it vague and ambiguous, leaving the meaning to others to interpret. They’ll be frustrated and obsessed with trying to figure out what you’re trying to say.
Principles of Law 4: Always say less than necessary
When you’re silent, you make other people uncomfortable
- People want to know what you’re thinking
- Short answers and silence make people feel defensive
- They quickly try to fill the silence, and in the process reveal motivations and weaknesses – information you can use
The 48 Laws of Power summary:
Why you should never outshine your boss
Putting to Work Law 4
King Louis XIV used brevity and silence to maintain power
- He knew the value of always saying less than necessary
- When his underlings had an issue to present to him, they first debated it among themselves and then chose two ministers or nobles to make the case before him
- Louis XIV listened in silence
- At the end of each presentation, the king said merely, “I shall see.”
Exceptions to Law 4
Sometimes it’s smarter to play the court jester, and make yourself seem foolish and harmless despite being smarter than the king
- No one suspects you of having an agenda
- You may want to use words as a smokescreen to hide your intentions
