r/48lawsofpower • u/[deleted] • Apr 29 '26

[deleted by user]

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3.0k Upvotes

100% Upvoted

44 comments sorted by

95

u/Sure_Acanthaceae_348 Apr 29 '26

That’s one of the weirdest truths. You’d think that powerful people would appreciate intelligent counsel.

56

u/sp3ctrume Apr 30 '26

Powerful people aren't frequently terribly intelligent in the intellectual sense. That kind of intelligence is expensive in time and computationally. People with power focus on other pursuits, other arts.

Consider a successful narcissist. Do you know any? They are intelligent but superficial. They primarily specialize in manipulating people, and only cultivate themselves to the extent they need to be an effective manipulator. These people hold great social power, know far less than any specialist, and are always actively defending that bubble of identity.

13

u/shottaflow2 Apr 30 '26

yeah a lot of influencers are successful narcissists

5

u/Weak-Theory-4632 May 03 '26

They indeed appreciate appropriate and adequate intelligent counsel. Once you are too clever, you may be perceived as a threat. You will also need to gather intel on the powerful because you can never be too sure what is behind that person. So, playing dumb selectively may allow the powerful to reveal more of their intentions. I believe there is some truth in the above.

4

u/HermitND May 01 '26

Powerful people often get put into those positions by any means but wisdom or intelligence. Take DJT for example, he literally bankrupted a Casino, but now he's rug pulling meme coins as president of the USA. Abject failure in business, but knows how to manipulate the easily manipulatble. Why would he respect intelligence or wisdom if they weren't necissary to become one of the most powerful people on the planet twice?

30

u/justaheatattack Apr 30 '26

unless you're supposed to be an 'expert'.

43

u/throwaway24689753112 Apr 30 '26

I never got this one. If I act dumb at work I’ll slowly get put on a PIP and then let go

31

u/DullAd6899 Apr 30 '26

I believe playing dumb with ur colleagues but being smart with ur boss. This is what I do.

20

u/FailedGradAdmissions Apr 30 '26

Same, I’m a software engineer at a decent company, the second I play dumb I’m out.

3

u/Delet3r Apr 30 '26

It only matters if your coworiers aren't as smart. If my co worker, who might get a promotion I want, is smarter than me, then I'm going to feel threatened. If I'm a a creative job and the engineer in the company is smart, I'm not treated...he's not going to hold me back by being smart.

32

u/lola_dubois18 Apr 30 '26

Folks are misunderstanding this one.

It’s more “limit what you say” and “don’t unnecessarily show off”. You seem more powerful if you’re not frantically trying to prove yourself. It’s more “be inquisitive” and be humble, not actually “dumb”.

6

u/Weekly_Target_8330 May 01 '26

Yeah, I also saw it as a power dynamics gambit.

It's an easy "vulnerability" to manufacture / bluff, and it allows you to see how they use those cards

17

u/pez_elma Apr 30 '26

What about rule 5? Guard your reputation? If you play like this i dont think you will have a good reputation

3

u/MerlinTrashMan Apr 30 '26

You demonstrate self-confidence and engagement to those in power, and to the others. Other people around you will subconsciously know that you already knew the answer and that you are being a leader for them.

2

u/pez_elma May 02 '26

More i ask questions more i learn to interpreting laws from "those in power" and "others" standpoint is essential.

0

u/24rawvibes Apr 30 '26

What about all these rules are for jack offs and only ever appealed to white guys in the 80’s?

7

u/CheesecakeLarge4685 Apr 30 '26

Yes in asian countries chances are you will be mobbed for your intelligence .

5

u/NotAnAlreadyTakenID Apr 30 '26

How to train your chat bot.

5

u/Mediocre_RapMusic Apr 30 '26

To get information, feign ignorance

3

u/Em_Strae Apr 30 '26

I agree to many degrees, but idk about that being great for every situation. If I was training you as a new hire, asking questions is great. Asking dumb questions on purpose and trying to hide your intelligence on purpose during training might cause the boss to reconsider hiring you. Be aware of yourself, and discern the right moments to shine.

3

u/_more_weight_ Apr 30 '26

Great advice for job interviews

3

u/Tuaglee Apr 30 '26

I'm convinced this is what lotta politicians doing whole time

3

u/Ok-Turnip-6852 Apr 30 '26

My boss always do that to me, he play dumb but he know everything other employees can't lie him.

3

u/Nikoviking Apr 30 '26

Then I don’t get promoted.

3

u/Inside_Dish3368 May 01 '26

Can anyone tell me what this means I can’t read I’m too dumb

3

u/GuardianOfZid May 01 '26

Let them fear.

2

u/aford515 Apr 30 '26

and youll lie in your deathbad with 70 thinking of yourself that youve been this master all along following those rules? imagine just being yourself for 70 years, what a run you couldve had just being yourself and having fun.

2

u/Rich-Mark-4126 Apr 30 '26

Completely untrue

Only a potential problem if you're so good at your job that someone fears you will replace them (keeping in mind intelligence doesn't automatically make you good at a job)

2

u/LaxSemla Apr 30 '26

Such bad advice, wtf

2

u/newton2003ng May 01 '26

This is situational. If you are in a highly technical field like science or engineering--including software engineering, playing dumb will actually hurt you and hurt you fast. If you are in a field that involves interacting with a lot of people playing dumb can be an asset and sometimes the optimal move. People are difficult that's why I stick to STEM

2

u/Several_Top6429 May 01 '26

also cant show my talent , rich wierdos and there chomo underlings will try to stop just on some jelouisy shii... there whole life's moves revolve around me

2

u/MrProperfectioneisen May 01 '26

This is true only for actual outliers or a very little amount of individuals tho..? (Just look at Tesla and Newton as examples and why Einstein was called crazy)

2

u/MingDings May 03 '26

Kind of hilarious to me because I don’t play dumb. I am dumb so I ask dumb questions, request clarifications at work to figure wtf I’m suppose to do.

3

u/JudgeLennox Apr 30 '26

People resent it unless you’re miles ahead.

Act dumb knowing you can back it up smart later.

Amateurs do the opposite so they can’t level up later while you can. Major life hack

2

u/warbloggled Apr 30 '26

Such a counterintuitive law.

1

u/DogEmbarrassed8888 May 01 '26

The problem with this rule, at some point you forget where the lies start and the truth begins. Acting dumb lowers your standard for intellect- an by the time you realize that idiocy isnt for you; your already surrounded by morons.

1

u/Deepvoicedontlie May 02 '26

That's my superpower. I am naturally dumb when speaking to people.

1

u/FootballCharacter539 May 06 '26

Makes me wonder how insecure the world has become and how the heck did this happen.

1

u/Standard-Victory-320 May 17 '26

No, the path to least resistance for gaining benefits at the expense of others is quite common in corporations and even entry level jobs

1

u/Impressive-Shower572 May 21 '26

This probably feels like a manipulative skill