Originally published: [New York] : Viking, 1998.

"A Joost Elffers production."

"A portion of this work first appeared in The Utne Reader." -- Title page verso.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 431-432) and index.

Never outshine the master -- Never put too much trust in friends, learn how to use enemies -- Conceal your intentions -- Always say less than necessary -- So much depends on reputation : guard it with your life -- Court attention at all cost -- Get others to do the work for you, but always take the credit -- Make other people come to you : use bait if necessary -- Win through your actions, never through argument -- Infection : avoid the unhappy and the unlucky -- Learn to keep people dependent on you -- Use selective honesty and generosity to disarm your victim -- When asking for help, appeal to people's self-interest, never to their mercy or gratitude -- Pose as a friend, work as a spy -- Crush your enemy totally -- Use absence to increase respect and honor -- Keep others in suspended terror : cultivate an air of unpredictability -- Do not build fortresses to protect yourself--isolation is dangerous -- Know who you're dealing with--do not offend the wrong person -- Do not commit to anyone -- Play a sucker to catch a sucker : seem dumber than your mark -- Use the surrender tactic : transform weakness into power -- Concentrate your forces -- Play the perfect courtier -- Re-create yourself -- Keep your hands clean -- Play on people's need to believe to create a cultlike following -- Enter action with boldness -- Plan all the way to the end -- Make your accomplishments seem effortless -- Control the options : get others to play with the cards you deal -- Play to people's fantasies -- Discover each man's thumbscrew -- Be royal in your own fashion : act like a king to be treated like one -- Master the art of timing -- Disdain things you cannot have : ignoring them is the best revenge -- Create compelling spectacles -- Think as you like but behave like others -- Stir up waters to catch fish -- Despise the free lunch -- Avoid stepping into a great man's shoes -- Strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter -- Work on the hearts and minds of others -- Disarm and infuriate with the mirror effect -- Preach the need for change, but never reform too much at once -- Never appear too perfect -- Do not go past the mark you aimed for; in victory, learn when to stop -- Assume formlessness.