Law 15: Crush Your Enemy Totally

Law 15: Crush Your Enemy Totally

Introduction

The 15th law of power from Robert Greene's book "The 48 Laws of Power" is "Crush Your Enemy Totally." This law states that if you defeat your enemy, you should not leave them any room to recover or seek revenge. If you do, they will eventually come back to haunt you.

History of the Law

This law has been around for centuries. In ancient China, for example, it was said that "the best way to deal with an enemy is to destroy them completely." This was the philosophy behind the Qin Dynasty's policy of "total war," which led to the deaths of millions of people.

The Logic of the Law

There are several reasons why it is important to crush your enemy totally. First, if you leave them any room to recover, they will eventually come back to haunt you. This is because they will be motivated by revenge, and they will be willing to do whatever it takes to get back at you.

Second, if you leave your enemy alive, they will always be a threat to you. They may not be able to defeat you outright, but they can still make your life difficult. They can spread rumors about you, sabotage your projects, or even try to assassinate you.

Third, crushing your enemy totally sends a message to others that you are not to be trifled with. This can deter other people from trying to challenge you in the future.

Examples of the Law in Action

There are many examples of this law in action throughout history. One example is the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar. Caesar was a brilliant military commander, and he defeated many of his enemies in battle. However, he never left them any room to recover. He always made sure to crush them totally, both physically and psychologically.

Another example is the Chinese warlord Cao Cao. Cao Cao was a ruthless and cunning leader, and he was known for his ability to crush his enemies. He once said, "If you let your enemy live, he will become your enemy again." Cao Cao followed this advice to the letter, and he never left any of his enemies alive.

How to Apply the Law

There are a few things you can do to apply this law in your own life. First, you need to be aware of your enemies. Who are the people who are trying to undermine you or sabotage your success? Once you know who your enemies are, you can start to plan their downfall.

Second, you need to be ruthless. Don't be afraid to do whatever it takes to crush your enemies. This may mean destroying their reputation, ruining their career, or even killing them.

Third, you need to be patient. It may take time to crush your enemies totally, but it is worth it in the end. Once you have crushed your enemies, you will be able to live in peace and security.

Conclusion

The 15th law of power is a powerful one, but it is also a dangerous one. If you are not careful, you could end up becoming as ruthless and cruel as your enemies. However, if you are willing to use this law wisely, you can achieve great things.

Caveats

There are a few caveats to this law. First, you need to make sure that you are actually dealing with an enemy. Not everyone who opposes you is your enemy. Second, you need to be careful not to go too far. If you crush your enemies too completely, you may end up creating more enemies for yourself. Third, you need to be aware of the legal and ethical implications of crushing your enemies. In some cases, it may be illegal or unethical to do so.

Overall, the 15th law of power is a powerful one, but it is also a dangerous one. If you are not careful, you could end up becoming as ruthless and cruel as your enemies. However, if you are willing to use this law wisely, you can achieve great things.