Silent Strategy: How Dark Arts Masters Gain Advantage by Saying Less
The strategic use of speech to cultivate power, control, and respect.
Scrolls of the Dark Arts for Scholars
The Dark Arts have been practiced since antiquity. Achieving Dark Arts mastery requires studying the manuals of the Dark Arts and internalizing their lessons.
Dark Arts Instruction Manuals include the following classics:
One: The Prince, by Niccolò Machiavelli. Amoral statecraft.
Two: The Art of War, by Sun Tzu, Statecraft and Organized Violence.
Three: The 48 Laws of Power, by Robert Greene.
This is part of a series on The 48 Laws of Power. It provides a summary and real-life historical examples of other Dark Arts masters who applied its principles.
LAW 4: ALWAYS SAY LESS THAN NECESSARY
When you are trying to impress people with words, the more you say, the more common you appear, and the less in control. Even if you are saying something banal, it will seem original if you make it vague, open—ended, and sphinxlike. Powerful people impress and intimidate by saying less. The more you say, the more likely you are to say something foolish.
"Always Say Less Than Necessary" is a principle that emphasizes the strategic benefits of reticence. The law states that by controlling your words, you maintain an air of mystery and allow others to reveal more about themselves. It’s always to your advantage to have more information than your rivals.
Further, when you speak less, your words carry more weight, as scarcity increases value.
Humans tend to fill silences with talk, particularly when they are nervous and weak, often leading to oversharing or emotional outbursts. In order for you to appear strong, in control, and powerful, you must speak less and allow for silence when speech isn’t to your advantage.
Once words are spoken, they cannot be retracted. The less you say, the less likely you are to say something foolish, revealing, or misinterpreted, and the less that could be used against you.
If you are arrested in the United States, they read you the Miranda warning, basically telling you to shut up for your own good. When facing any legal proceeding, saying less is always to your benefit.
Dark Arts Masters use words judiciously, offering the essence of thoughts without unnecessary detail. Using this technique, you will draw people in through intrigue and fascination, as they want to learn more about your thoughts and intentions.
Learn to speak only in calculated ways to maintain power and control. Strategic communication is a tool for self-empowerment and protection that can easily be used to deceive or manipulate others unjustly.
While the law advises restraint in speech, it's important to note that in some situations, more communication is necessary to build trust and gain cooperation until you have established greater power.
Historical Examples
Louis XIV of France: Known as the Sun King, Louis XIV was famous for his ability to control court politics through calculated speech and action. He often spoke little in council meetings, preferring to listen and observe. This allowed him to maintain an air of mystery and control, keeping his courtiers guessing about his intentions.
Abraham Lincoln: The 16th President of the United States, Lincoln was known for his economy of language. He often used brief, concise speech, as exemplified in the Gettysburg Address, which was notably short but deeply impactful. His ability to say a lot with few words gave his speeches more power.
Queen Elizabeth I of England: Elizabeth was renowned for her skillful use of language and often chose her words very carefully, especially in matters of diplomacy and statecraft. She was able to navigate the complexities of her reign, in part, by knowing when to speak and when to remain silent.
Winston Churchill: As a statesman, Churchill understood the power of words and often chose to speak less to maintain an air of authority and control. His speeches were impactful partly because of their measured and calculated nature.
The Spartans (Laconic Phrases): The Spartans were known for their laconic wit; they often used brief and pithy phrases to communicate complex ideas, embodying the principle of saying less than necessary. The term "laconic phrase" itself comes from the Spartan region of Laconia, reflecting their cultural emphasis on the brevity of speech.
Dark Arts Disclaimer
The path of the Dark Arts beckons to the strong and ambitious, yet it carries its own set of consequences.
Most who follow the dark path regret their choices, often in the twilight of their lives, after being abandoned by their family or suffering a career-ending setback from which there is no recovery.
Do-gooders who follow the path of light wish to witness the downfall of Dark Arts Masters. Due to our lack of compassion or mercy, they shrink from our potency, but they actively work to undermine us whenever they can.
Followers of the dark path discover that genuine affection from others is rare or absent. Instead, we’re surrounded by fearful sycophants and aspiring apprentices who feign fondness but will betray us when it suits them.
The demise of Dark Arts Master is inglorious, symbolically in their professional lives and emotionally within the confines of their homes. Often, the actions of others seal their fate, and they meet their lonely and forgotten end, having alienated everyone.
The allure of power attracts individuals willing to pursue this fickle Fate. We adhere to power’s principles and ultimately meet our cruel fate at its cold hands.