The 9th Law of Power: Win Through Your Actions, Never Through Argument

Mubashir Ali
3 min readJul 4, 2023

In the world of power, it’s often said that the best way to win an argument is to avoid it altogether. This is the essence of the 9th law of power, which states that you should always win through your actions, never through argument.

There are a few reasons why this is a powerful strategy. First, arguments can be counterproductive. They can create resentment and ill will, which can make it difficult to achieve your goals in the long run.

Second, arguments can be a waste of time. They can drag on for hours or even days, and in the end, you may not even be able to convince the other person to see your point of view.

Finally, arguments can make you look weak. If you are constantly arguing with people, it will start to look like you can’t get your point across without resorting to conflict.

So, how do you win through your actions? Here are a few tips:

  • Be prepared. Do your research and make sure you have a strong case.
  • Be persuasive. Use logic, evidence, and emotion to make your point.
  • Be patient. It may take time to win someone over, so don’t give up.

And here’s an example of how this law can be applied in real life:

Let’s say you’re in a meeting with your boss, and you disagree with their decision. You could argue with them about it, but this is likely to get you nowhere. Instead, you could try to win them over by demonstrating the benefits of your own idea.

For example, you could present them with a detailed plan of how your idea would work. You could also gather data or testimonials to support your case. If you can show your boss that your idea is both sound and feasible, they’re more likely to be persuaded.

Of course, there will be times when you do need to argue your point. But if you can avoid it, that’s usually the best course of action. By winning through your actions, you’ll be more likely to get what you want and build stronger relationships in the process.

Here is a relevant example from the book:

In the book, Robert Greene tells the story of how the Roman Consul Mucianus used the 9th law of power to win a battle. Mucianus was outnumbered by the enemy, but he knew that he could win if he could demoralize them.

So, Mucianus ordered his soldiers to build a large battering ram. When the enemy saw the battering ram, they were terrified. They knew that if the ram broke through their walls, they would be defeated.

In the end, the enemy surrendered without even a fight. Mucianus had won the battle without even having to shed a drop of blood.

This story shows how the 9th law of power can be used to achieve great things. If you can win through your actions, you will be much more likely to succeed in the world of power.

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Mubashir Ali
Mubashir Ali

Written by Mubashir Ali

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