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The 12th Law of Power from The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene is:

 The 12th Law of Power from The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene is:

Law 12: Use Selective Honesty and Generosity to Disarm Your Victim

Core Idea

A single act of genuine honesty or unexpected generosity can lower someone's guard and make them trust you. Once their defenses are down, you can influence or maneuver them more easily. The key is selectivity—you don’t need constant honesty, only strategic moments of it.

Detailed Breakdown


Why It Works
People are naturally suspicious in competitive or manipulative environments.
One small gesture of honesty seems rare, so it can make you appear trustworthy.
Trust creates an emotional debt—people feel safer around you and may repay kindness with loyalty.
When to Use It
At the beginning of a relationship or deal to establish trust.
When someone doubts your intentions.
When you need to hide a bigger agenda.
Forms of Selective Honesty & Generosity
Confessing a small fault: Revealing a harmless weakness can make you seem open.
Offering help or a gift: Even something small can change their perception of you.
Sharing useful information: Giving away a minor piece of truth can distract from what you keep hidden.
The Psychological Hook
Humans tend to generalize: If you’re honest once, they may believe you’re always honest.
A generous act can trigger the reciprocity bias—the natural urge to return a favor.
Caution
Overuse will destroy the effect—if you’re too generous or too honest, people will suspect an ulterior motive.
Don’t give away anything that truly weakens your position.
Never forget your real objective; honesty is a tactic, not a habit in this context.
Example from History
In 1849, Count Victor Lustig, a con artist, gave $1,000 back to a banker he was scamming as an “honest mistake.”
The banker, convinced Lustig was trustworthy, handed him millions later—only to be swindled.

✅ In Short:


One well-placed truth or act of generosity can be more persuasive than a hundred lies or manipulations. Use it like a weapon—rarely, strategically, and with a purpose.


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