Law 19: Know Who You’re Dealing With — Do Not Offend the Wrong Person; The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene

Photo by Mubashir Ali

In the world of power, there are those who will stop at nothing to get what they want. These people are often vengeful and will not hesitate to seek revenge on those who have wronged them. If you’re not careful, you could easily become the target of their wrath.

That’s why it’s so important to know who you’re dealing with before you make any moves. Do your research and learn as much as you can about the person’s personality, temperament, and history. This will help you avoid making any mistakes that could put you in their crosshairs.

For example, let’s say you’re working in a competitive environment and you’re trying to get ahead. You might be tempted to take some shortcuts or to step on a few toes in order to get what you want. But if you don’t know who you’re dealing with, you could easily make a mistake that could backfire on you.

Let’s say you’re trying to get a promotion, and you know that your boss is a very vindictive person. If you try to undermine your boss or to steal their thunder, you could find yourself out of a job.

The 19th law of power is a reminder that you should always be careful who you offend. There are some people who are simply not worth the risk. If you’re not sure who you’re dealing with, it’s always best to err on the side of caution.

Here are some tips for avoiding offending the wrong person:

• Be polite and respectful, even to those you disagree with. This doesn’t mean you have to agree with everything they say, but it does mean showing them basic courtesy.
• Avoid making personal attacks or insults. Even if you’re feeling angry or frustrated, it’s important to keep your cool and not say anything you’ll regret later.
• Be careful about what you say about other people, especially behind their backs. Word can get around, and you never know who might be listening.
• If you do offend someone, apologize sincerely and quickly. Don’t try to defend yourself or make excuses. Just own up to your mistake and let them know you’re sorry.

By following these tips, you can help avoid offending the wrong person and keep yourself out of harm’s way.

How do you know who you’re dealing with?

Here are a few things to look for:

• Their personality: Are they generally kind and forgiving, or are they more likely to hold a grudge?
• Their temperament: Are they quick to anger, or are they more level-headed?
• Their history: Have they ever been known to seek revenge on those who have wronged them?

If you’re not sure, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and avoid offending them altogether. It’s not worth the risk.

The bottom line is this:

• Know who you’re dealing with before you make any moves.
• Be polite and respectful, even to those you disagree with.
• Avoid making personal attacks or insults.
• Be careful about what you say about other people, especially behind their backs.
• If you do offend someone, apologize sincerely and quickly.

By following these tips, you can help avoid offending the wrong person and keep yourself out of harm’s way.