"The 48 Laws of Power" is a book by Robert Greene (born May 14, 1959), an American author who has written 6 International bestsellers.

Below is the list of his 48 laws of power (hyphenated notes are my own explanations)...

THE 48 LAWS OF POWER:

LAW 1: NEVER OUTSHINE THE MASTER
--Do not display greater talent, or it will breed hatred in your superiors.

Law 2: NEVER PUT TOO MUCH TRUST IN FRIENDS; USE ENEMIES
--Friends will envy you & plot against you. Learn to turn enemies into allies.

LAW 3: CONCEAL YOUR INTENTIONS
--Never say what you’re truly up to.

LAW 4: ALWAYS SAY LESS THAN NECESSARY
--Powerful people talk less.

LAW 5: PROTECT YOUR REPUTATION AT ALL COSTS
--Reputation is the foundation of power.

LAW 6: COURT ATTENTION AT ALL COSTS
--Make sure to always stand out from the crowd.

LAW 7: GET OTHERS TO DO THE WORK BUT TAKE THE CREDIT
--Use your team but present the result as if it was your idea.

LAW 8: MAKE PEOPLE COME TO YOU
--Don't chase people; let others come to you for favors.

LAW 9: WIN THROUGH ACTIONS, NEVER THROUGH ARGUMENT
--Actions speak louder than words.

LAW 10: DON’T GET INFECTED BY MISERY & MISFORTUNE
--Avoid grumblers & losers; befriend winners.

LAW 11: LEARN TO KEEP PEOPLE DEPENDENT ON YOU
--Make yourself invaluable.

LAW 12: USE SELECTIVE HONESTY & GENEROSITY TO DISARM YOUR VICTIMS
--One sincere act covers a score of dishonest ones.

LAW 13: GET HELP BY APPEALING TO SELF-INTEREST, NEVER TO MERCY OR GRATITUDE
--Never ask help by reminding people of past kindnesses; Instead, show what’s in it for them now.

LAW 14: POSE AS A FRIEND WORK AS A SPY
--Collect info & get people’s secrets by being close to them.

LAW 15: CRUSH YOUR ENEMY TOTALLY
--Finish off your adversaries.

LAW 16: RAISE YOUR VALUE THROUGH ABSENCE & SCARCITY
--Don’t be too available.

LAW 17: KEEP OTHERS IN SUSPENDED TERROR; CULTIVATE AN AIR OF UNPREDICTABILITY
--Keep your frenemies guessing about your next moves.

LAW 18: DON’T HIDE YOURSELF BEHIND A FORTRESS
--Isolation is dangerous; mingle with the people.

LAW 19: KNOW WHO YOU’RE DEALING WITH
--Don't cross the wrong people.

LAW 20: DO NOT COMMIT TO ANYONE
--Don't take sides; allow yourself to be courted by everybody.

LAW 21: PLAY A SUCKER TO CATCH A SUCKER
--Pretend to be dumber than your target.

LAW 22: USE THE SURRENDER TACTIC
--Pretend to surrender & then regroup your forces.

LAW 23: CONCENTRATE YOUR FORCES
--Focus delivers better results, every time.

LAW 24: PLAY THE PERFECT COURTIER
--Learn to play politics, in your sphere of interaction.

LAW 25: RE-CREATE YOURSELF
--Master your own identity, don’t let others create your image.

LAW 26: KEEP YOUR HANDS CLEAN
--Be above reproach; use other people for the dirty deeds.

LAW 27: PLAY ON PEOPLE’S NEED TO BELIEVE, TO CREATE A CULTLIKE FOLLOWING
--Be the grandmaster.

LAW 28: ENTER ACTION WITH BOLDNESS
--Fortune favours the brave.

LAW 29: PLAN ALL THE WAY TO THE END
--Start from your end goal & carefully plan everything all the way to your current position.

LAW 30: MAKE YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS SEEM EFFORTLESS
--Create the impression of facile mastery.

LAW 31: CONTROL THE OPTIONS
--Only give choices that ensure your victory.

LAW 32: PLAY TO PEOPLE’S FANTASIES
--Tell people what they want to hear.

LAW 33: DISCOVER EACH MAN’S ’s THUMBSCREW
--Learn your opponent’s "mumu buttons".

LAW 34: BE ROYAL IN YOUR OWN FASHION – ACT LIKE A KING TO BE TREATED LIKE ONE
--Behave the way you would if your end-goal were already achieved.

LAW 35: MASTER THE ART OF TIMING
--Always act like everything is under control.

LAW 36: DISDAIN THINGS YOU CANNOT HAVE; IGNORING THEM IS THE BEST REVENGE
--Pretend as if those things don’t even exist.

LAW 37: CREATE COMPELLING SPECTACLES
--Astound people with big displays, to make them forget harsh reality.

LAW 38: THINK AS YOU LIKE BUT BEHAVE LIKE OTHERS
--When in Rome, behave like the Romans.

LAW 39: STIR UP WATERS TO CATCH FISH
--Make your enemies angry, while staying calm yourself.

LAW 40: DESPISE THE FREE LUNCH
--"Awoof dey run belle". Instead of taking freebies, be a giver.

LAW 41: AVOID STEPPING INTO A GREAT MAN’S ’s SHOES
--Create your own path.

LAW 42: STRIKE THE SHEPHERD TO SCATTER THE SHEEP
--Strike at the root cause or main instigator of trouble.

LAW 43: WORK ON THE HEARTS & MINDS OF OTHERS
--Influence beats autocracy; gently influence by using emotion & logic.

LAW 44: DISARM & INFURIATE WITH THE MIRROR EFFECT
--Disarm your enemies by copying them.

LAW 45: PREACH THE NEED FOR CHANGE, BUT NEVER REFORM TOO MUCH AT ONCE
--Implement change slowly & steadily.

LAW 46: NEVER APPEAR TOO PERFECT
--Perfection breeds enmity; make people feel closer to you by deliberate show of weakness.

LAW 47: DO NOT GO PAST THE MARK YOU AIMED FOR; IN VICTORY, KNOW WHEN TO STOP
--Learn to stop, when you've reached your goal.

LAW 48: ASSUME FORMLESSNESS
--Having a visible plan leaves you open to attack. Adapt to change but keep your cards close to your chest.

Cool