Wednesday

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.

14 comments:

Dreamy said...

i definitely need to get this book

the authors brings up some good points

i look forward to these Wednesday Post, i learn so much

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

definitely gotta use that one

Rich Fitzgerald said...

Come on now Dreamy, we are here so we learn how to keep these "weapons" from destroying us. The purpose is not to take others out. But I know it can be tempting, especially when you have the goods on them.

Lance said...

" but the worse exits happen when the game turns on the blogger."
- rich

wowwwww, BIG kahunas fo sho!!!!!!

what'cha no good dere, boi?!!!!

Rich Fitzgerald said...

@Lance - I just have watchful eyes and a perceptive spirit.

I did however came upon an interesting verse of scripture this week.

(Contemporary English Version)

Proverbs 18:8 - There's nothing so delicious as the taste of gossip! It melts in your mouth.

To piggy back on that, I would add this. No matter what comes across your ears, it is often best to keep your mouth closed. Gossip may be delicious, but the best foods can cause an upset stomach, not only for you but your other table guests as well.

Unknown said...

I started blogging in January for no reason what so ever.
Actually, after a discussion with my friend about the dreams I am trying to follow, blogging came up in it somewhere. And two days later I was on the computer hunting for a blog home.
I thought about what I should blog about cause I had no plan.
And I really don't know about celebrities or the best way to make millions but, I do know me.
So, I blog as an outlet for me and about what I know me and mine.

If people read my blog they are getting me. I ain't trying to impress any one or hook up with any one or be something more than I am.
I have already let the world know I am crazy, depressed, happy, talented, loving, upbeat, lost, found, tarnished, confused, and every other thing they could call me.
And in 6 months when I am famous the only thing they can say is that girl is honest and real.


Be yourself people. Keep it real.

12kyle said...

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.

sounds like me!! I can't be somebody that I'm not. I am who I am. I mean, you know that I played college football. I could've told you that I was the greatest wide receiver outside of Jerry Rice (lol) and you might have believed it. I have to stay true to who I am. And I do that. And so do you, playa!

good post!!!

Dreamy said...

your right Rich

im not gonna act like them or bow down to their level

A.u.n.t. Jackie said...

i've been blogging for years....sometimes it feels like too long but i've seen many a bloggers come and go and i think it's the nature of the beast...the internet is some what of a home to a transient community.

i've pretty much damn near a hermit and don't have much inclination to date someone with as much in common as blogging...call me crazy.

I just like to do my thing, write, enjoy my life.

Your book almost sounds like good advice, except for that so much is based on negative energy.

Mizrepresent said...

Bloggers do come and go...but i believe that is the intent of your blogging...is it for you...or is it for others. Time and time again i have thought about deleting my blog bc of outside forces, but in time realized this is about ME and not about you...and so i go on, and i love it...to touch, to reach to expound is more than i can ask for...i am here because this is where i need to be for the moment...it is not my choice, but my calling.

Babz Rawls Ivy said...

Dearest Fitzgerald,

As you know I have opened my life up on my blog. I have nothing to hide. Nothing to be afraid of. I have accepted the choices I have made. I have paid dearly for them. But at the end of the day it is only I that can answer for the shit I have done. No one can use anything against me, or make me feel less than.

I do not concern myslef with my enemies. I am without a doubt a fearless and complicated woman.

I do not concern myself with my reputation...it is what it is. I will tell you this, I do not run from adversity.

I admire your integrity...that's why I count you as a dear friend and blog-Brother. You are a decent man always looking to do right! We could use more like you!

Rich Fitzgerald said...

@LvBabz - you know, when I was writing this I thought about how you came out off top and let folks know - "I got some stuff in my past, some decisions that I'm paying for, but here I am anyhow." - I so love that about you, because it allows you to control your destiny and not your "enemies". You can't hang anything over a persons head when they tell it themselves. That also reminded me of the newly inducted Governer of New York. The brother put his enemies out of business on day one.

Anonymous said...

Where's the book.....lol

Still Patrice said...

Enemies can’t be controlled, but you can limit their ability to sting you by maintaining a good report.

Good stuff!

CapCity said...

This also sounds like our next president: As Katt Williams said "that Brother was hidden in a special room in da hood: He ain't got no baby mama's, no traffic violations, don't owe nobody $200..."

When U living right it can't be wrong! LOL! AND when U the first one to TELL your secrets it shuts 'em DOWN! My Boo said: "Yea, I inhaled: that was the point." That lyin' azz Billary didn't inhale NOR have Sex with that woman ... puh-leeze!