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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.


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