Clashyclans

Laws of courtier:

The laws of courtier from 48 laws of power are a set of rules and principles that guide the behaviour and conduct of a courtier, a person who attends a royal court as an adviser or companion to the king or queen. The laws of courtier were developed and refined by various writers and thinkers throughout history, especially in the Renaissance period, when court life was at its peak. The laws of courtiers aim to help a courtier achieve success and power in the court, by mastering the art of persuasion, manipulation, and charm. Some of the laws of courtier are:

Avoid ostentation. Do not brag or boast about your achievements, wealth, or talents, as this will stir up envy and resentment among your peers and superiors. Appear modest, humble, and discreet, and let your actions speak for themselves.

Practice nonchalance. Do not show how hard you work or how much you suffer, as this will make you seem desperate and needy. Make your work seem effortless and natural, and your difficulties seem trivial and easy. Appear calm, relaxed, and confident, and make your success seem inevitable.

Be frugal with flattery. Do not flatter or praise your superiors too much, as this will make you seem insincere and manipulative. Use subtle and indirect flattery, such as imitating their style, agreeing with their opinions, or asking for their advice. Make them feel good about themselves, but do not overdo it.

Arrange to be noticed. Do not hide or blend in with the crowd, as this will make you seem insignificant and irrelevant. Find ways to stand out and attract attention, such as adopting a distinctive style, performing a remarkable feat, or expressing a novel idea. Make yourself visible and memorable, but do not seem too eager or desperate.

Alter your style and language according to the person you are dealing with. Do not use the same approach or tone with everyone, as this will make you seem rigid and insensitive. Adapt your style and language to suit the mood, the situation, and the personality of the person you are dealing with. Make them feel comfortable and understood, but do not lose your own identity.

Never be the bearer of bad news. Do not deliver or report bad news to your superiors, as this will make you seem negative and unpleasant. Avoid being associated with anything that causes pain, anger, or disappointment. Shift the responsibility of delivering bad news to someone else, or find a way to soften or sugarcoat it. Focus on the positive and the hopeful, and make yourself a source of joy and comfort.

Never affect friendliness and intimacy with your master. Do not act too friendly or familiar with your superiors, as this will make you seem presumptuous and disrespectful. Maintain a respectful distance and a formal manner, and do not intrude on their privacy or personal affairs. Treat them as your masters, not your friends, and do not expect them to treat you otherwise.

Never criticise those above you directly. Do not openly or directly criticize or challenge your superiors, as this will make you seem rebellious and insolent. Respect their authority and their decisions, and do not question or contradict them. If you have to share negative feedback or advice, do it as gently and indirectly as possible, and make it seem like you are helping them, not hurting them.

Never joke about appearance or taste. Do not make fun of or mock your superiors’ appearance or taste, even in jest or in private, as this will make you seem rude and disloyal. Respect their preferences and choices, and do not express your own opinions or judgments. Compliment their appearance and taste, or remain silent and neutral.

Never be a critic. Do not always criticise or complain about everything, as this will make you seem bitter and unhappy. Avoid being negative and pessimistic, and do not dwell on the faults and flaws of others. Be positive and optimistic, and focus on the strengths and virtues of others. Praise and credit others for their achievements, and make yourself a source of inspiration and encouragement.

Law 33: Discover Each Man’s Thumbscrew:

Ah, the delicious art of manipulation and exploitation! Delve into the shadows of human weaknesses, my nefarious friend, and revel in the ways to wield power over unsuspecting souls.

Uncover the Helpless Child:

Picture this: Remember that time when someone always craved attention but never got it as a kid? Exploit that. Find those soft spots, like when someone feels neglected or pampered as a child. Use that to control them without them even realising it. Like if someone felt unloved by their parents, shower them with fake affection, and they'll dance to your tune.

Exploit the Contrasts:

Imagine someone acting all tough and confident but secretly being scared inside. Oh, it's juicy! Take that prude who acts all proper but hides a lustful side. Poke at their hidden desires, their fears, their cravings. They won't even see it coming, and you'll have them wrapped around your finger.

Target the Weak Link:

Think of a big group acting all united, but there's always that one person holding the strings. Find them, befriend them, and you'll control the whole gang. And in a group, there's always someone who caves under pressure. Identify them, push their buttons, and watch the whole group crumble.

Exploit Emotional Voids:

Imagine someone who's always seeking approval, always feeling insecure. Feed that hunger for validation, make them depend on you. And those sad souls, always unhappy? Find out why and use that sadness to keep them hooked to you. They won't know what hit them.

Control Uncontrollable Emotions:

Think of someone paranoid about something little or someone who just can't resist their desires. Stoke that paranoia, feed their greed, and watch them spiral out of control. You become the master of their emotions, the one pulling the strings.

 Law 35: Master the Art of Timing

“Avoid rushing or appearing hurried; it suggests a lack of control. Cultivate patience, projecting confidence that things will unfold in their own time. Detect the trends and moments that can propel you to power.”

Next there is forced time: the short—term time that we can manipulate as an offensive weapon, upsetting the timing of our opponents. Finally there is end time, when a plan must be executed with speed and force. We have waited, found the moment, and must not hesitate.

"First, when your mind is uncluttered by constant emergencies, you will see further into the future. Second, you will be able to resist the baits that people dangle in front of you and will keep yourself from becoming another impatient sucker. Third, you will have more room to be flexible. Opportunities will inevitably arise that you had not expected and would have missed had you forced the pace. Fourth, you will not move from one deal to the next without completing the first one. To build your power’s foundation can take years; make sure that foundation is secure. Do not be a flash in the pan—success that is built up slowly and surely is the only kind that lasts."

Forced Time

"The trick in forcing time is to upset the timing of others— to make them hurry, to make them wait, to make them abandon their own pace, to distort their perception of time. By upsetting the timing of your opponent while you stay patient, you open up time for yourself, which is half the game."

Tactic 1:

"Making people wait is a powerful way of forcing time, as long as they do not figure out what you are up to. You control the clock, they linger in limbo, and rapidly come unglued, opening up opportunities for you to strike. The opposite effect is equally powerful: You make your opponents hurry. Start off your dealings with them slowly, then suddenly apply pressure, making them feel that everything is happening at once. People who lack the time to think will make mistakes—so set their deadlines for them. This was the technique Machiavelli admired in Cesare Borgia, who, during negotiations, would suddenly press vehemently for a decision, upsetting his opponent’s timing and patience. For who would dare make Cesare wait?"

Control time, whether by setting deadlines, creating suspense, or altering the pace of events, becomes a potent tool for influence and power.

Imposing deadlines can force decisions and prevent indecision, citing examples from art dealing, psychoanalysis, and therapy sessions. Additionally, it explores how magicians master the art of altering time perception through slowing down actions to create suspense, making events seem shorter or more captivating. “The more slowly a story is told,” he said, “the shorter it seems.”Going slower also makes what you are doing more interesting—the audience yields to your pace, becomes entranced. It is a state in which time whizzes delightfully by. You must practise such illusions, which share in the hypnotist's power to alter perceptions of time.

(add more in future)

End Time

"You can play the game with the utmost artistry—waiting patiently for the right moment to act, putting your competitors off their form by messing with their timing—but it won’t mean a thing unless you know how to finish."

"You can wait as long as necessary for the conclusion to come, but when it comes, it must come quickly. Use speed to paralyse your opponent, cover up any mistakes you might make, and impress people with your aura of authority and finality."

Law 36

“DISDAIN THINGS YOU CANNOT HAVE: IGNORING THEM IS THE BEST REVENGE”

Judgement:

It's about recognizing the power of ignoring what you can't attain or control instead of fixating on it. By dismissing its importance or existence, you retain your power and avoid unnecessary frustrations.

Disinterest: Act uninterested in what's unattainable. Avoid showing excessive desire or longing.

Focus on What You Control: Direct your attention and efforts towards what you can control or attain, strengthening your position.

Maintain Confidence: Demonstrating that you don't need something enhances your confidence and can unsettle others.

Law 37

“Create Compelling Spectacles”

Judgement:

Striking visuals and powerful symbols exert immense influence. Craft spectacles to captivate others, diverting their attention from your true intentions.

How to Apply It: Utilise visual cues and symbols to create a distinct identity. Establish a trademark that sets you apart, associating yourself with powerful images or symbols. Combine and manipulate visuals to evoke emotions and forge deep connections.

Key Considerations:

Visual Dominance: Sight holds primary importance among senses. Visual spectacles bypass doubt, creating immediate emotional impact.

Symbolic Power: Symbols hold immense emotional resonance, often more potent than words. They communicate instantly and can unite people.

Strategic Associations: Associate yourself with powerful symbols or create new, impactful associations. Arrange visuals to create a sequence that establishes a symbolic message.

Adaptation: While old symbols like the Sun King may no longer apply, indirect association with historical figures or crafting new symbols can still elevate your stature.

Psychological Impact: Symbols connect on a deeper level, facilitating communication and influencing emotions without direct verbal engagement.

In short things that manipulate people's mind are:

Music

Images

Words 

Fashion and Appearance: Clothing, style, and appearances can be used to create an image that influences how others perceive and respond to an individual or a brand. Think about how certain attire can convey power, authority, or even rebellion.

Technology and Social Media: Today's digital age offers a vast array of tools for manipulation. Social media algorithms, targeted advertising, and curated content can create echo chambers, reinforcing particular beliefs or perceptions.

Architecture and Environment: The design of spaces, buildings, and environments can influence behaviour and emotions. Consider how certain structures or settings evoke feelings of awe, safety, or discomfort.

Cultural Symbols and Traditions: Symbols, rituals, and traditions deeply ingrained in culture can be used to manipulate perceptions. By associating with revered symbols or cultural traditions, one can create an illusion of credibility or authority.

Could also be (depending on situation): pride, vanity, love, hate

Law 39

Stir Up Waters to Catch Fish

Judgement: This law advises using controlled agitation or manipulation of emotions to gain an advantage. It's about strategically inciting emotions in others to control their actions.

Tactic:

"...get them to act before they are ready, steal the initiative. The best way to do this is to play on uncontrollable emotions—pride, vanity, love, h

ate. Once the water is stirred up, the little fish cannot help but rise to the bait. The angrier they become, the less control they have, and finally, they are caught in the whirlpool you have made, and they drown."