If You Want to Be Successful, Learn to Let the Master Shine
Law #1: Never Outshine the Master
You are not the actual master of your life. There is someone above you signing your paychecks, and at any moment, they could choose to stop. So, the next logical question is: who is your master?
This is great to remember when reading the first chapter of Robert Greene’s The 48 Laws of Power. The first law states, “Never Outshine the Master.” Greene uses this chapter to explain the dangers of taking away from your superior’s glory and making him look inferior to you in some capacity (e.g., financially, intellectually, etc.). Greene goes through multiple case studies in history regarding times people observed and transgressed this law. We will get to those in a minute, but first, let’s talk about power.
The Game of Power
Rising to the top in a power hierarchy is not sunshine and rainbows, but it is not daggers and knives either. There is a happy medium between both worlds where you must learn to play the game of power. And for all of you who think that you can go through life without playing it, you are sadly mistaken.
Every person on Earth is playing the game of power. Babies use their cries to control their parents, while politicians use emotionally charged language to have power over their supporters. There is no escaping this world; the harder you try to run from it, the more it will hurt you. Since you cannot escape the game of power, you must arm yourself with the tools necessary to survive it.
Now, let’s clarify some things. Power is by no means inherently evil. We need power to survive. We need leaders to push our society forward, and there is nothing wrong with that. However, the game of power can consume people and turn them into monsters. But the monsters are avoidable and beatable if you know how they play the game.
Greene spends his book reviewing the different rules these monsters play by, and you would do well to learn them if you intend to climb any hierarchy (e.g., dominance, financial, social, political, etc.).
To grow and improve in any field, you must learn to exert power. Whether you are a kindergarten teacher or a CEO, you must understand the principles of power, or you will lose control of those you lead. And if you have no intention of becoming a leader, don’t leave the article yet. You should still learn these laws to ensure people above you do not exploit you while they are playing the game.
“It is better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war.”
— Chinese Proverb
With that cautionary note in mind, let’s get into the first case study in Greene’s chapter.
Transgression of the Law: Nicolas Fouquet and Louis XIV, the Sun King
Nicolas Fouquet was King Louis XIV’s finance minister during the early years of his reign. He played an indispensable role to the king, so once the prime minister died in 1661, Fouquet believed King Louis XIV would name him the successor. However, the king went in a different direction and abolished the role altogether. In an attempt to regain the king’s favor, Fouquet decided to throw arguably the most lavish party France had ever seen.
There was a seven-course dinner with food from the Orient, accompanied by commissioned music to honor the king. Fouquet also led the king and his party guests on a stroll through the chateau’s extravagant gardens (later the inspiration for Versaille), where they also watched a firework show.
Fouquet spared no expense to demonstrate his value and loyalty to the king.
Nonetheless, King Louis XIV’s head musketeer arrested Fouquet the next day. Fouquet went on trial three months later for stealing from the country’s treasury. Funnily enough, all the theft was sanctioned by the king.
Why did Fouquet end up imprisoned after he attempted to honor the king? It’s because he didn’t honor the king. He insulted the king’s vanity. With every smile and word of praise aimed at Fouquet, King Louis XIV felt threatened by Fouquet’s popularity, although Louis XIV would never admit it.
“It is a deadly but common misconception to believe that by displaying and vaunting your gifts and talents, you are winning the master’s affection. He may feign appreciation, but at his first opportunity, he will replace you with someone less intelligent, less attractive, less threatening, just as Louis XIV replaced the sparkling Fouquet with the bland Colbert.”
— Robert Greene
Observance of the Law: Galileo and the Medici Family
Beggars can’t be choosers. At least, that was Galileo’s life motto until he discovered the secret to obtaining power — never outshine your master.
In the early 1600s, Galileo funded his studies and research through the generosity of patrons such as the Medicis and the Duke of Gonzaga. However, patrons usually compensated him with gifts instead of money, leaving Galileo financially unstable.
Hoping to change his luck, Galileo switched strategies from dedicating his discoveries to multiple patrons, such as sending one a telescope and the other a book. Instead, when Galileo discovered Jupiter’s moons, he dedicated the discovery to one patron — the Medici family.
Galileo chose them because at the establishment of the Medici dynasty, Cosimo I made Jupiter the Medici symbol. Galileo built off the connection by elaborating on how the four moons harmonized with the number of Medicis (Cosimo II and his three brothers). Galileo even commissioned an emblem of Jupiter sitting on a cloud and sent it to Cosimo II.
Cosimo II went on to make Galileo his official court philosopher and mathematician with a full salary.
Why did Galileo achieve his goal of a steady income and gain status in the process? Because he brought glory to his master by literally placing them among the stars. Rather than making Cosimo II feel intellectually inferior, Galileo gave him the recognition and praise every master desires. Galileo did not threaten Cosimo II socially, financially, or intellectually. He did the exact opposite.
“By letting others outshine you, you remain in control instead of being a victim to their insecurity. This will all come in handy the day you decide to rise above your inferior status. If, like Galileo, you can make your master shine even more in the eyes of others, then you are a godsend and you will be instantly promoted.”
— Robert Greene
Closing Thoughts
The higher you rise to the top, the longer your fall. In that vein, people with higher status are often more insecure in their position than those lower on the dominance hierarchy. Why? Because they have a much further fall and a much larger target on their back.
Everybody wants to be the CEO, and many people will play dirty to get there.
When playing the game of power, it is crucial to remember that there are people above you who will always see you as a threat. Your job is to demonstrate the value you bring by adding glory to their name. Your goal is to create mentor/mentee relationships with those above you, even when you are intellectually or financially superior. By aligning yourself with the right master and bringing them fame and recognition, you will rise to new heights of status in the same way Galileo did.
“A master who cannot bestow on you the gifts of his experience may direct rancor and ill will at you instead.”
— Robert Greene
However, Greene does caution that if your master is a ‘falling star,’ you must choose to be selectively cruel and outshine them. But you must be sure that they will not arise from the ashes and come looking for revenge.
And for all of you who think this is ridiculous, considering we no longer live in the 17th century, you would be surprised how little people change, if at all. These lessons will stand the test of time, and if you intend to succeed at anything, you should learn from history.
