48 Laws of Power: Five

Law 5

So Much Depends on Reputation – Guard it with your Life
Reputation is the cornerstone of power. Through reputation alone you can intimidate and win; once you slip, however, you are vulnerable, and will be attacked on all sides. Make your reputation unassailable. Always be alert to potential attacks and thwart them before they happen. Meanwhile, learn to destroy your enemies by opening holes in their own reputations. Then stand aside and let public opinion hang them.

When I read this law, I was actually reminded of bloggers. I have had the great fortune to have been in this blogging game for a while now. My blog didn’t start until October 2006, but I had been immersed in the culture since about June 2006, so I’ve been here a full 24 months now. In that time, I’ve seen bloggers come and I’ve seen bloggers go. Some of them had excellent blogs and some were just so so. The reasons they leave run the gamut. Some leave because their jobs changed, others got bored with the process, some get burned out by the process and just need a break, but the worse exits happen when the game turns on the blogger. When for some reason or another the blogger is found to be different than what they projected.

If there was ever an environment where reputation mattered, it’s in blogging. Why? Because bloggers are a voice to many. Being as such, reputation is all we have. Most of the people who read these pages don’t know us up close and personal other than what we are willing to share. So the person that is presented here is the person that sticks until an event occurs that causes the covers to get pulled back.

Make your reputation unassailable. Always be alert to potential attacks and thwart them before they happen.

I do my best to be transparent. Despite the growing popularity of online dating and the availability of single women, I make no bones about being married and I let women know I’m NOT out here looking to hook up. I have everything I need at the crib where that is concerned. I also try not to give the image that I’m something that I’m not. What you see is basically what you get. I try to stay away from innuendo. I feel like if you let it run about, it can end up running you over. In short, I purpose to be above board. I know people will think what they want, but I do my best to protect my reputation at all costs by living as close to righteousness as I can.

Learn to destroy your enemies by opening holes in their own reputations. Then stand aside and let public opinion hang them.

Again, nothing hurts worse than being found out. To have someone unearth something about you that you didn’t want leaked is the ultimate in the loss of power. The only way to overcome that type of attack is to be flat out honest. But honesty has its drawbacks, because some people will still want to look down on you. That aside, I think living honestly is the truest test of power. Anyone can deceive their way into power or assassinate the character of someone else to get a leg up, but when people back you despite your past indiscretions you are then on the path to real power.

Enemies can’t be controlled, but you can limit their ability to sting you by maintaining a good report. No one is perfect and yes, sometimes the devil does get in the details. But you can control who you want to be in this life. Just remember that no matter how you decide to live, you will reap the rewards that accompany that decision. Live like a king and you receive a king’s reward (honor, respect and admiration). Live like a scoundrel and you will ultimately reap a scoundrel's reward. (dishonor, repulsion and condemnation).


About the host:
Rich Fitzgerald is the author of the short story "One to Remember" featured in Love and Redemption (Bloggers' Delight Vol. 1), a collection of short stories by authors who blog. To read excerpts or to order a copy of the title, visit i-Lit. The book is also available on Amazon.