The Laws of Human Nature

You must learn how to exploit this. If you can somehow create the impression that others desire you or your work, you will pull people into your current without having to say a word or impose yourself. They will come to you. You must strive to surround yourself with this social aura, or at least create the illusion.

Or perhaps we fall in love with a person who is precisely the wrong type for us and we know it, but we cannot help ourselves.

In general, people will want to see more of you, want to see less of you, or be rather indifferent. They may fluctuate among the three states, but they will tend to veer toward one. They will reveal this in how quickly they respond to your emails or texts, their body language on first seeing you, and the overall tone they take in your presence.

See everyone in the court as your potential ally.

Make your power dependent on your accomplishments and your usefulness, not on the friendly feelings people have for you.

Courtiers are already envious of the Favorite, but their increased arrogance only alienates them further.

People are more sensitive to the words or actions of friends, and if they feel somehow disappointed or betrayed in any way, they can go from liking to hating the former friend.

With the Favorite, they will gladly share secrets and bestow favors. This, of course, will stir up the envy of other courtiers.

Many leaders are secretly dying to not have to be so formal and in control.

Those on top are lonelier and more insecure than you imagine, and they will lap this up.