Law 12: Use Selective Honesty and Generosity to Disarm Your Victim

Law 12: Use Selective Honesty and Generosity to Disarm Your Victim

In the 48 Laws of Power, Robert Greene writes that one of the most effective ways to disarm your enemies is to be selective in your honesty and generosity. By giving them what they want, you can make them feel indebted to you, and they will be less likely to suspect your true motives.

This law is based on the principle of reciprocity. When someone does something nice for us, we feel obligated to return the favor. This is a powerful psychological force that can be used to our advantage.

Of course, you don't have to be completely honest or generous all the time. In fact, being too honest or generous can make you seem weak or vulnerable. The key is to be selective in your use of these qualities.

It is important to make sure that your acts of honesty and generosity are genuine. If they are seen as insincere, they will backfire.

For example, if you're trying to get someone to do something for you, you might offer to help them with a task or give them a gift. This will make them feel indebted to you, and they will be more likely to agree to your request.

You can also use selective honesty and generosity to build relationships. By being kind and helpful to others, you can make them feel good about themselves and more likely to trust you.

Of course, there are some risks associated with using this law. If you're not careful, you could be taken advantage of. However, if you use it wisely, it can be a powerful tool for gaining power and influence.

Here are some examples of how you can use selective honesty and generosity to disarm your enemies:

• If someone is trying to get you to do something you don't want to do, offer to help them with a task instead. This will make them feel indebted to you, and they may be less likely to press you on the issue.
• If someone is trying to spread rumors about you, be generous with your praise. This will make them look bad by comparison, and they may be less likely to continue spreading rumors.

Here are more examples of how selective honesty and generosity have been used to great effect:

• In the early days of his presidency, Franklin D. Roosevelt used selective honesty and generosity to win over the American people. He was honest about the challenges facing the country, but he also promised to do everything in his power to overcome them. He was generous with his time and attention, and he made it clear that he cared about the well-being of the American people. As a result, he was able to build a strong base of support that helped him to get through some of the most difficult times in American history.
• In the business world, Warren Buffett is known for his generous philanthropy. He has donated billions of dollars to charity, and he has also used his wealth to help fund education and research initiatives. By being generous with his money, Buffett has earned the respect and admiration of many people, both inside and outside of the business world. This has helped him to build a strong network of relationships that has been invaluable to his success.

Of course, selective honesty and generosity are not always enough to disarm your enemies. If you are dealing with someone who is truly malicious, you may need to use more forceful tactics. However, in most cases, selective honesty and generosity can be a powerful tool for gaining the trust and cooperation of others.

If someone is trying to take advantage of you, be honest about your limits. This will show them that you're not to be trifled with, and they may be less likely to try to take advantage of you in the future.

Of course, these are just a few examples. There are many other ways to use selective honesty and generosity to disarm your enemies. The key is to be creative and use your own judgment.

If you use this law wisely, you can gain a significant advantage over your enemies. By making them feel indebted to you and building relationships with them, you can make it much more difficult for them to harm you.

It is important to remember that this law is not about being a good person. It is about using power and influence to get what you want. If you are willing to be ruthless and manipulative, this law can be a very effective tool.

Here are some additional tips for using selective honesty and generosity to disarm your enemies:

• Be sincere. People can tell when you're being fake, so make sure your honesty and generosity are genuine.
• Be strategic. Don't just give away everything you have. Be selective about who you help and how much you help them.
• Be patient. It takes time to build trust and relationships. Don't expect to see results overnight.

If you are willing to be ruthless and manipulative, the 12th law of power can be a very effective tool. However, it is important to remember that power and influence are not the same as happiness. If you are not careful, you may end up sacrificing your own happiness in order to gain power and influence over others.

If you follow these tips, you can use selective honesty and generosity to disarm your enemies and gain a significant advantage over them.