{"id":1370,"date":"2019-09-22T20:09:05","date_gmt":"2019-09-23T00:09:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=1370"},"modified":"2022-03-08T09:42:10","modified_gmt":"2022-03-08T13:42:10","slug":"48-laws-of-power-law-36-disdain-things-you-cannot-have-ignoring-them-is-the-best-revenge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/48-laws-of-power-law-36-disdain-things-you-cannot-have-ignoring-them-is-the-best-revenge\/","title":{"rendered":"Law 36: Disdain Things You Cannot Have: Ignoring Them Is the Best Revenge (48 Laws of Power)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Overview of Law #36: <\/strong>Disdain Things You Cannot Have: Ignoring Them Is the Best Revenge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes it\u2019s better to ignore things. You\u2019ll make small problems worse, make yourself look bad, and give your enemy attention he doesn\u2019t deserve if you respond to a minor provocation. By not showing interest, you maintain your superiority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Principles<\/strong> of Law 36<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to Law 36 of the 48 Laws of Power<\/a>, When faced with an irritating, but minor offense, sometimes the best course is to ignore it<\/strong>. Not responding can be a demonstration of power \u2014 a message that it\u2019s not worth your interest. 
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Also, you avoid wasting time, becoming mired in someone else\u2019s mess, or drawing attention to someone or something that will fade away on its own.
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Ignoring people who thrive on your attention is an effective power tactic<\/strong>. You cancel them out by withdrawing your attention, which may anger them but there\u2019s nothing they can do since you\u2019re not dealing with them. Meanwhile, you maintain your superiority. This is why you should disdain things you cannot have.
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Conversely, paying undue attention to a minor opponent gives them greater importance<\/strong> and makes you look petty, especially if they draw you into an extended conflict. President Kennedy helped make Fidel Castro a hero with his failed Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in 1961.
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When you attack a small irritant you also run the risk of creating sympathy for the offender. Again, leaving it alone can be the best policy. This also applies to mistakes or problems \u2014  trying to fix them calls attention to them and often makes them worse.
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Here\u2019s how to execute a strategy of disdaining things you cannot have.
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