LiveWorld Transcripts

Borders.com presents

Robert Greene
Author of "The 48 Laws of Power"

December 14, 2000

As Machiavelli once said, "It is far better to be feared than loved if you cannot be both." Achieve that principle with "The 48 Laws of Power," a book literally jam-packed with historical, philosophical and practical advice on how to gain power and keep it. Author Robert Greene discusses his book and shares more insights into gaining power.

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NetCafeLive: Welcome to NetCafeLive! Tonight we are chatting with Robert Greene, author of “The 48 Laws of Power.” NetCafeLive is presented by Borders, Inc. and Talk City, Inc.

Xenagirl: How would I use your book in daily life?

Robert Greene: Well, there are two ways to use the book. One is that it applies to all aspects of life. It applies to your relationships, your personal relationships with a boyfriend, son or daughter, family member; it also applies to an office situation working with your colleague, or dealing with a troubled boss, and it also applies to the grand power of political power, for instance. So, to use the book, you look first at the beginning paragraph that describes each law, and you see which particular chapter applies to a problem you are having. For example, if you are having trouble with your mother there are several chapters that apply to that, for instance, law number one, ”never outshine the master.” So, you find the chapter that applies to your life and read it, and you look for the ideas, and you slowly apply them to your life. Or, even better, you read the entire book from page one to the last page, and you will find that you will learn an awful lot, not only about to do in your life to have more power, but what NOT to do, because so much of it has to do with avoiding mistakes. So, I think reading the whole book is actually the best way to apply it.

Philosopher: Are people who desire power really happy? Is there a goal to power besides as an end in itself?

Robert Greene: That is an excellent question! It is something I talk about very much in the preface of the book. Let me explain. I believe that power isn't just about dealing with Bill Gates, or Al Gore vs. George Bush. I believe that power now involves every kind of interaction. So, for instance, when a child is being disobedient to his parents, he is trying to get more power in the relationship; arguments between a man and wife often have to do with an inequality of power. We all have to deal with it every day in dealing with a troubled colleague or boss. So, an important idea is that everybody is struggling to have more power or control of those around him. The feeling of having no power over your boss, your colleague, your daughter or son, your girlfriend will make you unhappy. Now, having a lot of money or a great position will not necessarily make you happy. Many people get money or position and they do not know how to handle it. But the feeling of having no control over your life or other people, I believe, will make you very unhappy.

Booklover: What is the most dangerous thing that you have found about power?

Robert Greene: There are many, many dangers in the game of power, and every chapter, or most chapters, have a historical example of a person who did something wrong and literally lost their head or was killed for it. One terrible danger in power I talk about in Law 47, and that's about knowing when to stop -- knowing when you have gone too far. We see this everyday when a person, celebrity, political figure, and they win the game, the election, and it goes to their head, and they don't realize their own limits. So, it is extremely important to be able to control yourself, control your emotions, not get carried away. For instance, Bill Clinton was an excellent president, but sometimes he lost control over his desires and his emotions, and he went too far. Or, Newt Gingrich; not knowing when to stop. So, Law 47 is very important. There are many dangers in life, and in the game of power, but one of the biggest is not knowing your own limits.

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