8th Law of Power – "Make Other People Come to You – Use Bait if Necessary"
From The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene

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📜 Core Idea:

Never chase your opponent or enemy. Instead, make them come to you. By doing this, you remain in control of the situation. Use temptation, mystery, or strategic manipulation as bait. When others come to you, they are already playing your game on your terms.

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🔍 Detailed Breakdown:

Control the Terrain

When you force others to act, they are reacting to you. That gives you the upper hand. You're setting the rules, the timing, and the location — this is the power of initiative.

Avoid Acting Out of Emotion

The moment you chase or react, you become vulnerable. Impulsive actions often come from anger or frustration. Greene warns: those who act first, out of fear or impulse, usually lose.

Use Strategic Bait

Bait can be anything — an offer, a promise, a lie, or even a display of weakness. The key is to draw your opponent into your web. Once they're inside, you control the game.

Let Others Reveal Themselves

When people come to you, they expose their intentions, needs, or weaknesses. You can study them while staying hidden and calculated.

Psychological Power Play

There's a psychological dominance when others seek you. It makes them feel slightly inferior, giving you silent authority over the interaction.

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🧠 Historical Example (from the book):

Napoleon vs. the Austrians

Napoleon often let his enemies come to him. In one campaign, he lured the Austrians by appearing weak and retreating. When they advanced confidently, Napoleon crushed them using prepared terrain and surprise tactics. He controlled the battlefield before a single shot was fired.

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⚠️ Caution:

Don’t be too passive. Power lies in calculated inaction, not laziness.
If you don’t offer appealing bait, no one will come.
It’s a long-term strategy. Impatient people may fail at this.

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✅ Application in Real Life:

Negotiations: Don’t chase deals. Make people pitch to you.
Dating: Don’t appear desperate. Be intriguing and let them come to you.
Business: Create demand by being exclusive or selective. Let customers want your brand.

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🧩 Summary:

The 8th Law teaches you to draw people into your world, not enter theirs. Let others reveal their hands while you remain calm, composed, and in control. Like a spider in its web, you wait, prepare, and strike when the moment is right.
"When you force the other person to act, you are the one in control." — Robert Greene