This law especially pertains to those who enjoy being alone, such as myself.

It applies to people who

often find themselves slipping into bouts of solitude filled with the daily grind of life. In other words, this
law is critical for those who have a tendency to be a recluse. Many artists and entertainers lean on this
tendency in order to cultivate their creativity.

Imagine one day popping your head out of the cave that you’ve created for yourself to find the people
around you have dramatically changed. Imagine the feeling of missing countless opportunities because
you were too busy in your tunnel.

In the 1660's Louis XIV had the palace of Versailles built for him and his court. He purposefully designed
the palace so his nobility remained close to him. The king’s bedroom occupied the literal center of the
palace as the focus of everyone’s attention.

Every single morning he would see individuals and groups of people in a precise order, first the king’s
illegitimate sons and his grandchildren, then the princes and princesses of the blood, and then the
physician and surgeon. There followed the grand officers, the king’s official reader, and so on and so
forth from government officials to entertainers. This ritual was known as ‘the lever’. By the end of the
ceremony the room would be packed with over a hundred people. The day was organized so that all the
palace’s energy was directed at and passed through the king. Louis XIV kept a very close ear to his
surroundings. It’s much more difficult to plot an assassination of such a king.

Louis XIV very early grasped the truth that for a king to isolate himself is gravely dangerous. In his
absence, conspiracies will spring up like mushrooms after rain, animosities will crystallize into factions,
and a rebellion will break out before he has the time to react.”

Because humans are social creatures by nature, power depends on social interaction and circulation.”

interdependence, not self-sufficient - no man is an island

their isolation makes them paranoid. As in warfare and most games of strategy, isolation often proceeds
defeat and death”

They use temporary isolation to provide them perspective and creativity.

Temporarily isolation can be amazing for growth.

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Alexander Sandalis
Self reflective writings & book summaries on the applications on, philosophy, power and human
behaviour through my perspective.

Mar 27, 2017

Law 29: Plan All The Way To The End

The 48 Laws Of Power Summary Series

Judgement

“The ending is everything. Plan all the way to it, taking into account all the possible consequences,
obstacles, and twists of fortune that might reverse your hard work and give the glory to others. By
planning to the end you will not be overwhelmed by circumstances and you will know when to stop.
Gently guide fortune and help determine the future by thinking far ahead.”

This law is about patience, foresight and being control of your emotions amid the chaos.

In the 1500s there was a noble bold young Spaniard named Vasco Núñez de Balboa. Balboa was one of
the first adventures to come in search of Columbus’s land of gold, he had decided he would be the one
to find it. Balboa was in search of immense riches and went to the ends of the Earth acquire it.

Gold was his dream and El Dorado, ‘the golden empire’, was his desire. Hundreds died through Balboa’s
expeditions and by the end of it his head fell into a basket.

While the entire story is just too long to cover in this written summary the principles are not. Balboa was
blinded by his fantasy for gold and couldn’t see the people planning his demise next to him. He was
known for acting out of rash emotion instead of methodically planning ahead. This is not unlike today —
 many of us are on are own search for metaphorical gold and physical riches. Through that process many
become hyper focused on the end goal missing everything that’s happening around them as Balboa did.

Most men are ruled by the heart, not the head. Their plans are vague, and when they meet obstacles
they improvise. But improvisations will only bring you as far as the next crisis, and is never a substitute
for thinking several steps ahead and planning to the end […] But Balboa was locked in the moment,
always reacting emotionally, never thinking ahead. What good is it to have the greatest dream in the
world if others reap the benefits and the glory? Never lose your head over a vague, open ended dream
—plan to the end.”

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Alexander Sandalis
Self reflective writings & book summaries on the applications on, philosophy, power and human
behaviour through my perspective.

Jan 22

Law 40: Despise The Free Lunch

The 48 Laws Of Power Summary Series

Judgement

“What is offered for free is dangerous — it usually involves either a trick or a hidden obligation. What
has worth is worth paying for. By paying your own way you stay clear of gratitude, guilt, and deceit. It is
also often wise to pay the full price — there are no cutting corners with excellence. Be lavish with your
money and keep it circulating, for generosity is a sign and a magnet for power.”

“People work hard for their money. If they’re going to pay a high price for something, they’re going to
expect excellence. And in turn, you will deliver excellence. But, because they’ve paid such a high price
for your good or service, they will really try to take full advantage of it.”

It is said Tony Robbins charges around the sum of a million dollars for a one-on-one consultations. By
charging a million dollars Tony want’s to almost guarantee success. By charging a million, he guarantees
adherence in the changes that he prescribes of the other person. So really, they’re buying into
themselves as much as they’re buying into him with that sum.

The costs of these pursuits are not always in money. The price of this bargain we pay is often deceptive.
We pay in time and peace of mind instead.