Never Put too much Trust in Friends, Learn How to Use Enemies

By; Admin

This is The Law of Power 2, “Never put too much trust in friends, learn how to use enemies’. It is mean that enemies is not totally negative in power games, because  they could help us unintentionally to find our goals. Meanwhile, friend is not totally good, because occasionally they could make us fail or miserable.  There are two story of this law, namely: Michael III of the Bizantine Empire that transgress the law, and the Emperor Sung of China that observance the law.

” … Michael III of the Byzantine Empire in the mid-ninth century A.D. placed too much trust in his friend, Basilius. This was a young man who had once saved his life, and in return, was given all the privileges an emperor could bestow on a friend. Michael turned the peasant Basilius into a sophisticated and educated courtier. Basilius later on became greedy for more wealth and power and had his former benefactor and best friend Michael III murdered…”

“… Emperor Sung of China in 959 A.D. was able to turn all his enemies into loyal friends. He persuaded his generals to retire to a life of nobility and give up their dreams of grabbing his throne one day. He spared those who conspired against him, and was able to win over enemies with his generosity…”

Practically, this Law of Power -2 tell us to conduct such these:

• Do not rely on friends. They will never be totally honest with you. They will not openly disagree with you in order to avoid arguments.
• Enemies expect nothing so they will be surprised when you are generous.
• An enemy spared the guillotine will be more grateful to you than a friend.
• When you decide to hire a friend you will discover qualities she has kept hidden.
• Skill and competence are more important than friendly feelings.
• Hiring friends will limit your power.
• All working situations require a kind of distance between people.
• You destroy an enemy when you make a friend of him.
• An enemy at your heels keeps you sharp, alert, and focused.

Read the list of 48 laws of power, here.

Read the law of power 1