Law #2: 48 Laws of Power

Law #2: Never put too much trust in friends

In the mid 9th century, there was an emperor called Michael III of the Byzantine Empire.

Once Michael was roaming at the stables, having a look at the horses. Suddenly, a wild horse cut loose and started chasing Michael. Michael ran as fast as he could, frightened by the horse as he’d heard of many deaths caused by horses. As he was running, he saw a stranger run towards him. The stranger grabbed the reins of the running horse, which gave a sudden jerk to the horse. The man then climbed on the angry wild horse and locked his legs with the horse and kept riding it until the horse calmed down. He then brought it to Michael. The horse came to Michael like an obedient kid. The Emperor was impressed like never before. This man was Basilius, the horse trainer of the stable. The emperor was amazed by his courage. He thanked Basilius and promoted his position from horse trainer to the position of Head of Stables.

Emperor Michael loaded his new friend with many gifts and favors until they became inseparable. Michael turned Basilius, who was originally a peasant, to a sophisticated and educated courtier. Basilius would always impress the emperor as he would never speak a word against his decisions.

A few years passed and Basilius began to develop greed. His greed was always being fulfilled by Emperor Michael. Basilius became greedier and wanted to gain more power. To satisfy this greed, he went to the extent of getting his friend Micheal, murdered.

The emperor was breeding a snake in his sleeve. He allowed a man to see the power up close. A man who then became greedy and wanted more. A man who got anything and everything he had asked for. A man who felt all the gain of wealth and power was achieved by himself.

Basilius then took over the throne by replacing Michael.

So that’s what happened when a person blindly trusted a friend and kept giving. It was a one-sided friendship and not a mutual one. Now you might be thinking, this is too pessimistic, all friends aren’t like this. I agree with you. All friends aren’t like this. If they were, nobody would be willing to make new friends. There’s the other side of the coin too, where you can even make your enemies, your closest friends.

Let’s see how :

For several centuries after the fall of the Han Dynasty in 220 AD, Chinese history followed a pattern of violent and bloody coups, one after the other. There would be military coups to kill a weak emperor to replace him on the Dragon throne with a strong general. The general would start a new dynasty and crown himself the emperor. To ensure his own survival, he would kill off his fellow generals.

A few years later, that emperor would face the same fate as the previous one. New generals would rise and dethrone him by assassinating him or his sons to become the Emperor themselves. During this period, to be the Emperor of China, meant to be alone, surrounded by enemies. It was the least powerful and least secure throne to own.

In 960 AD, General Zhao Kuangyin became the Emperor Song. Emperor Song knew that his friends and the army would consider him a piece of meat and if he somehow survived, his friends in the government would have him for dinner.

Emperor Song persuaded his generals to retire to a life of nobility and give up their dreams of becoming the next emperor. He spared his generals and was able to win over his enemies with his generosity.

Finally, Chinese history witnessed an emperor who would break the pattern of coups, violence, and civil wars. He gained the trust of his generals. His generals stayed loyal to him and the Song dynasty ruled for 300+ years.

Lessons

The golden nuggets that we must take away from the one-sided friendship of Emperor Michael and the strategy of Emperor Song are :

1. Friends will not openly disagree with you to avoid arguments.

2. Enemies expect nothing, so they will be surprised when you are generous.

3. An enemy spared the guillotine will be more grateful to you than a friend.

Summary

“Problem about working with friends is that it confuses the boundaries and distances that working requires. If both partners in the arrangement understand the dangers involved, a friend often can be employed to great effect.

You must never let your guard down in such a venture, however; always be on the lookout for any signs of emotional disturbance such as envy and ingratitude.

Nothing is stable in the realm of power and even the closest of friends can be transformed into the worst of enemies.”

“I destroy my enemies by making them my friends.”