Skip to main content

Here’s the 36th Law from The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene:

 Here’s the 36th Law from The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene:
Law 36: Disdain Things You Cannot Have — Ignoring Them is the Best Revenge

Summary

This law advises that when something is beyond your reach or unattainable, you should not waste energy obsessing over it. The more attention you give to what you cannot have, the stronger it appears and the weaker you seem. Instead, by showing indifference and contempt, you diminish its power over you.
Desire makes the unattainable object grow in importance, while disdain shrinks it. Often, people ruin themselves by chasing after things they can’t have, exposing their desperation. True power comes from self-control—showing that nothing outside of you can disturb your calm or dictate your worth.

Key Ideas

  1. Ignore what you cannot control – To focus on the unreachable only drains your energy.
    Indifference weakens your enemy/object of desire – When you ignore something, you rob it of significance.
    Obsession exposes weakness – People will notice your desperation if you chase too hard.
    The best revenge is silence – Instead of open conflict, withdrawal and disdain are more powerful responses.
    Turn loss into strength – By disregarding what is beyond you, you show dominance over your desires.

Example

  • Historical: When a ruler, courtier, or rival ignored slander or insults instead of responding with anger, it often made the attacker seem petty. For instance, Queen Elizabeth I was skilled at dismissing marriage proposals she couldn’t accept—her indifference maintained her power.

Reversal of the Law

Sometimes ignoring something can make it more mysterious and desirable to others, increasing its power. In such cases, carefully mocking or exposing its flaws openly may be more effective than ignoring it completely.

⚖️ In short: The 36th Law teaches you not to chase the unattainable or respond to every insult. By ignoring, you demonstrate power, restraint, and superiority.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Here's a brief description and summary of the Third Law from The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene,

  Sure. Here's a brief description and summary of the Third Law from The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene , expanded to roughly the length and depth you'd find in a short 10-page explanation. Law 3: Conceal Your Intentions Overview: The third law of The 48 Laws of Power emphasizes the importance of keeping your plans secret and not revealing your true goals to others. Greene argues that by concealing your intentions, you prevent others from interfering, resisting, or undermining your strategies. Key Principle: "Keep people off-balance and in the dark by never revealing the purpose behind your actions." By obscuring your motives, you maintain control and avoid giving opponents the chance to thwart you. If people can't predict what you're up to, they can't stop you. Detailed Explanation: 1. Why Concealing Works: Human beings are naturally curious and competitive. When you reveal your intentions: People might become envious or jealous. ...
Post a Comment
Read more

The 15th Law from The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene is:

 The 15th Law from The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene is: Law 15 – Crush Your Enemy Totally Summary When you decide to confront or remove an opponent, you must eliminate them completely—both in power and influence. If you leave them with even the smallest ability to recover, they may strike back later, stronger and more determined. Partial victories are dangerous because they give your enemy time and opportunity to regroup and retaliate. Greene draws on historical examples where leaders who failed to fully destroy their enemies eventually faced devastating consequences. Key Ideas Half-measures breed revenge – If your rival survives, they’ll remember your attack and seek revenge. Cut the root, not just the branches – Removing only the visible threat while leaving their power base intact ensures their return. Mercy can backfire – Sparing a strong rival can be interpreted as weakness. Control the narrative – Eliminate not just the person but their influence, reputatio...
Post a Comment
Read more

Certainly! Here is a detailed yet digestible summary of the second law from Robert Greene's The 48 Laws of Power. The second law is:

 Certainly! Here is a detailed yet digestible summary of the second law from Robert Greene's The 48 Laws of Power . The second law is: 🧠 Law 2: Never Put Too Much Trust in Friends, Learn How to Use Enemies Summary and Deep Analysis (Extended) 1. Introduction to Law 2 Robert Greene’s second law challenges a deeply ingrained social instinct: trusting those closest to us. Friends, after all, are presumed allies — loyal, kind, and dependable. However, Greene flips this notion on its head. He warns that too much reliance on friends can backfire, and paradoxically, former enemies may serve you more loyally. The law reads: “Never put too much trust in friends, learn how to use enemies.” This principle is rooted in historical precedent and psychological insight, encouraging pragmatism over sentiment. 2. Why Not to Trust Friends Completely Greene argues that friends often come with emotional entanglements that cloud judgment. When you promote or empower a friend, they might feel...
Post a Comment
Read more