LAW 2: Never put too much trust in friends, learn how to use enemies.

@RobertGreene's 48 laws of POWER are written in tactical language, but the book's genius is in the depth of knowledge beyond that – for those who would See.

If this thread doesn't show you that, nothing will.
Robert Greene warns that friends can easily become envious and resentful. But the water runs much deeper than that.

Most people are sleepwalking in their relationships and believe in magical thinking. They don't know how to be friends in the first place.
1. Deep friendship requires persistent effort and investment. The lo-awarenes mass prefers to sweep inconvenient facts under the rug and play nice.

Value never comes from comfort.

Most friendships are shallow because they are of convenience.

People make "friends" with compatible cognitive types, coworkers, neighbors, friends of friends or relatives, or stick with whomever they've known for a long time.

The path of least resistance. No bueno.
You can't know people whom you don't test repeatedly. People change – and if they don't, you shouldn't have them around anyway.

If you want to destroy a prized relationship, make assumptions and hope it will stay the same. Wishful thinking ALWAYS pays off.
2. Fear of rejection prevents people from defining the relationship. When you suppress risk, you fragilize.

Fragile relationships blow up when put under stress. Why couples split up about getting married, longtime friends sue each other over mutual business.
Most of your friends are more imaginary than you suspect. Because you never did the hard work of getting to know them and setting "terms of engagement".

– Stop trying to be liked.

– Stop trying to like people.

Authentik connection comes at a price. Suck it up and pay it.
Gifts and compliments can be a way to lure people. But being eager to please isn't how you make it last.

It takes two to tango, and there's only one way to find out if both dance to the same tune. Deep friendship grows out of many trials, not of pleasantries.
Authentic friendship is rooted in trust. If it doesn't grow, it withers.

People end up lonely and isolated in old age because they let their friendships die long before their friends die.
3. Enemies can become faithful allies because they have no choice but to take risks and prove themselves repeatedly.

Set standards for your friends as high as you would for enemies. See your friendships flourish – or be revealed as fake.
4. The power of Generosity is twofold.

– It lets shine the benefits of being in your good graces and draws people to you.

– It reveals the snakes and fools around you. They return your favor by playing you for a sucker.

Dispense of ingrates ruthlessly.
5. Trusty friendships are rare, and make for powerful partnerships. If you do the work:

– Qualify each other many times before this ultimate test.
– Know the value added.
– Define the new relationship clearly.
– Always be improving yourself and demand the same of friends.
Business between friends often fails because one ends up protecting the other from hard facts.

You don't want dependency, you want people whose power amplifies yours. Cut your losses early.

Before you partner with people, you must know they can take care of themselves.
This is one of many threads that will show you the 48 laws in a new light.

If you liked it, you will love my newsletter.

Don't be left behind.

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