This page explores Law 36 of 48 Laws of Power – Ignore What You Can’t Have. We all face petty problems and enemies that constantly distract us from achieving our goals. These obstacles drain our energy, limit our potential, and prevent us from reaching the pinnacle of success.
Imagine how much more you could accomplish if you didn’t waste your precious time and energy on these petty problems and enemies. Think of the power you could gain, the heights you could reach, and the success you could achieve if you focused solely on what truly matters.
This comprehensive guide empowers you to rise above the noise, redirect your focus, and harness your true power. Discover proven strategies to identify what truly matters, let go of the small stuff, and build an impenetrable shield against negativity.
Law 36: Disdain Things You Cannot Have: Ignoring Them Is The Best Revenge
By acknowledging a petty problem, you give it existence and credibility. The more attention you pay an enemy, the stronger you make him, and a small mistake is often made worse and more visible when you try to fix it. It is sometimes best to leave things alone. If there is something you want but cannot have, show contempt for it. The less interest you reveal, the more superior you seem.
Table of Contents
The Paradox of Desire – Why Ignore What You Can’t Have
Okay, so here’s the deal. When you go all-in chasing something or someone, guess what? It runs away like it’s in a marathon! It’s like trying to catch a slippery fish with your bare hands – not happening!
People start feeling awkward around you when you’re overly intense and desperate. You look like a puppy begging for treats, which isn’t a good look.
Turn your back on what you once desired, and let those feelings of contempt and disdain flow! You won’t believe the power move you’re about to pull off.
Watch as your targets go crazy, trying to figure out what’s happening! They’ll be drawn to you like magnets, craving to affect you – possession or inflicting pain, their choice. But here’s the kicker – you’ve got ’em right where you want ’em.
Commitment and Engagement Make You Look Weak
This is where people mess up big time. Paying too much attention to small-time enemies makes you look like a lightweight. And you don’t wanna be that guy!
You’re the boss of your reactions! You can either let things bother you or shrug ’em off like they don’t even matter – and that’s where true strength lies.
Picture this – the irritating offender is buzzing around like a pesky insect, trying to get under your skin. But guess what? You’re gonna show ’em who’s boss! Consider the matter trivial, unworthy of your attention, and send it straight to oblivion!
You rise above the futile engagement when you don’t react to the annoying buzz. Your pride stays intact, and you show ’em they are not even on your radar!
Practice the art of not caring! Take charge of your reactions and let go of those irritations.
Show Contempt Like A King
King Louis XIV was a master of wielding this power. If he favored you, oh, you were golden! But if you landed on his not-so-nice list, you might as well be a ghost! The man knew how to play the game, using contempt as his secret weapon.
Picture this – if King Louis didn’t fancy you, he’d pretend you didn’t exist! It was like being hit with an invisibility spell, and he maintained his dominance by cutting off any interaction.
This ain’t just history lessons – you too can rock this power! When you play the card of contempt, you’re showing folks you’re no pushover! Periodically, give ’em that dose of “I can do without you” and watch ’em squirm! It’s a boss move that keeps you in control and leaves others scratching their heads.
Strategies to Show Your Contempt
Instead of highlighting your problems and making ’em look bigger than they are, how about we play it cool like a contemptuous aristocrat? Here’s the kicker – there’s more than one way to execute this genius power move. You can do the following:
Sour-Grapes Approach
Let’s break it down – if you want something but can’t have it, don’t cry and draw attention to your disappointment. Nah, nah, nah! There’s a far more potent move – act like you never really cared in the first place!
Check out George Sand, the writer – when her supporters nominated her for the Académie Française in 1861, she saw through their game. She knew they’d never let her in, but she pulled off a masterstroke instead of getting all whiny! She said, “Meh, I ain’t interested in hanging out with those old, out-of-touch windbags anyway!” Oh, snap! Her disdain was pure gold!
See, that’s how the powerful do it! By not giving a hoot, you hold the cards. She’d reveal her cards if she had shown her anger, but she played it like a champ.
Deflection Approach
When some inferior enemy comes at you with nonsense, don’t give ’em the satisfaction of seeing you flustered. Show ’em their attack didn’t even register on your radar.
You got two moves – either look away like it’s not worth your time or answer with a sweet smile, showing ’em they couldn’t even scratch the surface.
Now, here’s the real kicker – when you make a blunder (and hey, we all do!), don’t beat yourself up. The best response is to treat it lightly! Laugh it off like you meant to do it – smooth recovery.
See, that’s the way to handle it! By making fewer mistakes, you show ’em you’re not shaken by a little slip-up. So, embrace the art of deflection, and let ’em see how the mighty handle things.
Using Deflection With Deception
Making excuses and denials can make it messier when caught in a sticky situation! But here’s a wiser way to play it – time to take notes from the legendary Renaissance writer Pietro Aretino!
Aretino used to boast about his noble ancestry, but his enemy revealed the truth. The rumor quickly spread throughout Venice, causing widespread shock and embarrassment.
Now, here’s where Aretino showed his brilliance! Instead of trying to cover up, he owned it! He stood tall and announced, “Yeah, I’m the son of a shoemaker, and you know what? That’s the stuff of legends! From the humblest beginnings, I’ve climbed to the very pinnacle of society!”
He didn’t even look back! He let go of his old lie and embraced his newfound truth, proudly trumpeting his journey to greatness. Remember this – when caught in the spotlight, don’t run and hide! Embrace the truth, and let it be your badge of honor!
The Image of the Tiny Wound
Picture a tiny wound. Some stuff is like a little scratch that’ll heal alone. No biggie! But guess what? Constantly poking at it makes it worse! The same goes for life’s minor issues. Know when to let ’em go and let time do its magic.
The Reversal: When to Engage
Some troubles are like fleeting shadows, disappearing when you give ’em space. But watch out, those pesky ones grow and fester unless you handle ’em with care.
When you choose to ignore a person of inferior stature, beware! The next thing you know, they might rise as a formidable rival fueled by your contempt. Just like those princes in Renaissance Italy who brushed off Cesare Borgia, only to find out he became a power-hungry force, gobbling up chunks of Italy.
So, here’s the deal – while you put on a public show of contempt, you must also watch the problem. Be the silent detective, monitoring its status and ensuring it goes away quietly. Don’t let it become a cancerous cello, growing out of control.
Develop the skill of sensing problems when they’re still small, and address ’em before they become unsolvable puzzles. Learn to tell the difference between the potentially disastrous and the mildly irritating – the nuisances that’ll vanish on their own. But remember, even the minor ones can spark back to life, so never wholly take your eye off ’em.
Remember the key- tact and vigilance in this dance of power and contempt. With your skillful moves, you’ll master the art of handling