{"id":1092,"date":"2019-09-16T19:20:01","date_gmt":"2019-09-16T23:20:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=1092"},"modified":"2022-03-04T16:58:29","modified_gmt":"2022-03-04T20:58:29","slug":"48-laws-of-power-law-10-infection-avoid-the-unhappy-and-the-unlucky","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/48-laws-of-power-law-10-infection-avoid-the-unhappy-and-the-unlucky\/","title":{"rendered":"48 Laws of Power | Law 10: Infection: Avoid the Unhappy and the Unlucky"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Overview of Law #10: <\/strong>Infection: Avoid the Unhappy and the Unlucky<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

People who are perpetually miserable spread misery like an infection, and they\u2019ll drown you in it. Avoid these people like the plague. Conversely, if you associate with happy people, you\u2019ll share in the good fortune they attract and spread. Seek them out. Infection: Avoid the unhappy and the unlucky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Principles<\/strong> of Law 10<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What does it mean to dodge infection, avoiding the unhappy and the unlucky? People who are hurt by circumstances beyond their control deserve sympathy and help. But others bring unhappiness on themselves and spread it to those around them by their destructive acts and influence on others. You can\u2019t change or improve them \u2014 they will change you by afflicting you with their problems.
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People are highly susceptible to the emotions and pathologies of those they spend time with<\/strong>. Chronically miserable and unstable people have the greatest influence because of their intensity. Because they paint themselves as victims, it can take you a while to see that they cause their own problems. By the time you realize this, these infectors have sucked you in. Infection: Avoid the unhappy and the unlucky.
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When your goal is power, those you associate with can make or break you. If you associate with infectors, you\u2019ll waste time extricating yourself, and others will lose respect for you due to guilt by association.
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One of the most damaging types of infectors is the person who is perpetually dissatisfied and aggrieved<\/strong>.
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Cassius, who conspired against Caesar, is an example of a miserable person. He couldn\u2019t stand anyone more talented and accomplished than he. His dissatisfaction and hatred of Caesar infected Brutus (who likely would have waited to ascend the throne). The result was one of the great tragedies of history.
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The only way to fight this type of infection is by removing it, although often that remedy comes too late because, again, you\u2019ve already been pulled in to the person\u2019s web.
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According to Law 10 of the 48 Laws of Power<\/a>, the best way to protect yourself is by paying close attention to the people you surround yourself with, so you see any ominous signs. Start by considering their effects on others, rather than on who\/what they blame for their problems. Avoid the unhappy and the unlucky.
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Watch for these characteristics of infectors<\/strong> to avoid the unhappy and the unlucky:<\/p>\n\n\n\n