Album The 48 Laws of Power - Keys to Power
Robert Greene

Law 1: Never Outshine the Master
"Law 2: Never Forget Law Number 1"

...with those above you, however, you must take a different approach: when it comes to power, outshining the master is perhaps the worst mistake of all.

He may feign appreciation, but at his first opportunity he will replace you with someone less intelligent, less attractive, less threatening, just as Louis XIV replaced the sparkling Fouquet with the bland Colbert

Second, never imagine that because the master loves you, you can do anything you want. Entire books could be written about favorites who fell out of favor by taking their status for granted, for daring to outshine.

In all of these cases it is not a weakness to disguise your strenghs if in the end they lead to power. By letting others outshine you, you remain in control, instead of being the victim of their insecurity. This will all come in handy the day you decide to rise above your inferior status.

Culled from 48 Laws Of Power by Robert Greene. https://genius.com/Robert-greene-law-1-never-outshine-the-m…