7: Make other people come to you, use bait if necessary

When you suspect you are in the presence of an infector, don’t argue, don’t try to help, don’t pass the person on to your friends, or you will become enmeshed.

Flee the infector’s presence or suffer the consequences.

Make your masters appear more brilliant than they are and you will attain the heights of power

When it comes to power, outshining the master is perhaps the worst mistake of all.

Hide your intentions not by closing up but by talking endlessly about your desires and goals— just not your real ones.

Power cannot accrue to those who squander their treasure of words.

Once the words are out, you cannot take them back. Keep them under control.

Learn to destroy your enemies by opening holes in their own reputations.

Then stand aside and let public opinion hang them.

Surround your name with the sensational and the scandalous.

Better to be slandered and attacked than ignored.

Remember: You have only so much energy and so much time. Every moment wasted on the affairs of others subtracts from your strength.

The key to power is the ability to judge who is best able to further your interests in all situations.

Keep friends for friendship, but work with the skilled and competent.