{"id":1156,"date":"2019-09-17T18:53:10","date_gmt":"2019-09-17T22:53:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=1156"},"modified":"2022-03-08T09:29:26","modified_gmt":"2022-03-08T13:29:26","slug":"48-laws-of-power-law-14-pose-as-a-friend-work-as-a-spy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/48-laws-of-power-law-14-pose-as-a-friend-work-as-a-spy\/","title":{"rendered":"Law 14: Pose as a Friend, Work as a Spy (48 Laws of Power)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Overview of Law #14: <\/strong>Pose as a Friend, Work as a Spy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Collecting information through spying is essential to wielding power. When you know your opponent\u2019s secrets, you can predict his behavior and control him. You can enlist spies to gather intelligence for you, but it\u2019s better to be a spy yourself. Adopt a friendly manner and you\u2019ll get people to spill their plans and weaknesses. Pose as a Friend, Work as a Spy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Principles<\/strong> of Law 14<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To wield power you need to understand others: their intentions, goals, and ambitions, as well as secrets, weaknesses, and ulterior motives. This knowledge enables you to predict what they\u2019ll do in the future.
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However, most people won\u2019t intentionally tell you these things; you need a way to ferret out the information without their knowing it.
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According to Law 14 of the 48 Laws of Power<\/a>, there are two ways to do this:
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1) Use spies<\/strong>: Using others (for instance, people who work for your target) as spies is useful but risky. You\u2019ll get information, but you can\u2019t control your spies. They may inadvertently give you away, get things wrong, or start working against you.
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2) Be a spy yourself<\/strong>: Be friendly and listen. It\u2019s easy and effective to pose as a friend while collecting information. Say little while getting others to do the talking \u2014 and listen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some additional tips:
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Especially pay attention at social gatherings<\/strong>. People\u2019s guards are down, they\u2019re drinking, and they\u2019re trying to be friendly. Say little while showing great interest in others, and they\u2019ll talk freely. People will interpret your interest as friendship, and you\u2019ll build allies as well as learning secrets. This is the perfect place to follow Law 14: Pose as a Friend, Work as a Spy.
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Don\u2019t be too obvious<\/strong> in probing for information, however, or you\u2019ll arouse suspicions. Use friendly chatter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n