Book: 48 Laws of Power; Step-6

Published:  1998 & Pages: 480

14x Step Learning

Step-6
Surrender to a Stronger Opponent

Have you ever faced a situation where you knew you couldn’t win against someone more powerful? While many people like to stand their ground and fight against all odds, that’s not the best way to gain power. So, what should you do when you’re up against a stronger opponent? Consider giving up. This might sound strange, especially because humans usually defend themselves when threatened. However, when your opponent acts aggressively, they expect you to respond in the same way. In cases where you’re clearly outmatched, surrendering is often your wisest choice.

Why? By surrendering or at least making your enemy believe you have, you can prevent them from causing serious harm. What’s more, when your opponent thinks they’ve won, they tend to lower their guard. When that happens, you’ll have an excellent opportunity to recover and plan your next steps. Let’s look at the example of Bertolt Brecht, a writer with revolutionary communist ideas who moved to the United States in 1941. After World War II, he and his fellow intellectuals were called before the US Congress, which was investigating communist influence in Hollywood.

While his colleagues caused a disturbance and challenged Congress by being loud and uncooperative, Brecht remained calm and politely answered their questions. Due to his good behavior, the government released Brecht and even offered to assist with his immigration process. In the end, he left the country and continued writing about his strong communist beliefs. And what about his stubborn friends? They were banned from publishing for many years! So, follow Brecht’s example and see surrender as a way to empower yourself. Focus on building long-term strength rather than making big sacrifices for a brief moment of glory.

کیا آپ کبھی ایسی صورتحال سے دوچار ہوئے ہیں جہاں آپ جانتے تھے کہ آپ کسی زیادہ طاقتور شخص کے خلاف نہیں جیت سکتے؟ اگرچہ زیادہ تر لوگ ہر حال میں اپنے موقف پر ڈٹے رہنے کو ترجیح دیتے ہیں، لیکن یہ طاقت حاصل کرنے کا بہترین طریقہ نہیں ہے۔ تو، جب آپ کسی زیادہ مضبوط حریف کے مقابلے میں ہوں تو آپ کو کیا کرنا چاہیے؟ غور کریں کہ ہار مان لینا ایک آپشن ہو سکتا ہے۔ یہ عجیب لگ سکتا ہے، خاص طور پر اس لیے کہ انسان عام طور پر خطرے کی صورت میں اپنا دفاع کرتا ہے۔ تاہم، جب آپ کا حریف جارحانہ رویہ اختیار کرتا ہے، تو وہ توقع کرتا ہے کہ آپ بھی ویسا ہی جواب دیں گے۔ ایسی صورتحال میں، جہاں آپ واضح طور پر کمزور ہوں، ہتھیار ڈالنا اکثر آپ کی دانشمندانہ ترین حکمت عملی ہو سکتی ہے۔

کیوں؟ ہتھیار ڈال کر، یا کم از کم اپنے دشمن کو یہ یقین دلا کر کہ آپ نے ہار مان لی ہے، آپ انہیں آپ کو زیادہ نقصان پہنچانے سے روک سکتے ہیں۔ مزید یہ کہ جب آپ کا مخالف سمجھتا ہے کہ اس نے جیت لیا ہے، تو وہ عام طور پر اپنی حفاظت کم کر دیتا ہے۔ جب ایسا ہوتا ہے، آپ کو اپنی طاقت دوبارہ حاصل کرنے اور اپنے اگلے قدم کی منصوبہ بندی کرنے کا بہترین موقع ملتا ہے۔ آئیے برٹولٹ بریخت کی مثال دیکھتے ہیں، جو ایک انقلابی کمیونسٹ نظریات کے حامل مصنف تھے اور 1941 میں امریکہ منتقل ہو گئے تھے۔ دوسری جنگ عظیم کے بعد، انہیں اور ان کے ساتھی دانشوروں کو امریکی کانگریس کے سامنے پیش کیا گیا، جو ہالی وڈ میں کمیونسٹ اثرات کی تحقیقات کر رہی تھی۔

جبکہ ان کے ساتھی شور شرابا کرتے اور کانگریس کو چیلنج کرتے ہوئے غیر تعاونی رویہ اپناتے، بریخت پرسکون رہے اور ان کے سوالات کا شائستگی سے جواب دیا۔ ان کے اچھے رویے کی وجہ سے حکومت نے بریخت کو رہا کر دیا اور یہاں تک کہ ان کے امیگریشن عمل میں مدد کی پیشکش بھی کی۔ آخرکار، وہ ملک چھوڑ کر چلے گئے اور اپنے مضبوط کمیونسٹ خیالات پر لکھتے رہے۔ اور ان کے ضدی دوستوں کا کیا ہوا؟ انہیں کئی سالوں تک اشاعت سے روک دیا گیا! تو، بریخت کی مثال کی پیروی کریں اور ہتھیار ڈالنے کو اپنے آپ کو مضبوط کرنے کا ایک طریقہ سمجھیں۔ مختصر مدت کی شان کے بجائے طویل مدتی طاقت کی تعمیر پر توجہ دیں

10x Short Questions

1. What does the author suggest you should consider doing when faced with a more powerful opponent?

Consider giving up.

2. Why might surrendering seem strange when facing a stronger opponent?

People usually defend themselves when threatened.

3. Why does the author recommend surrendering in cases where you're clearly outmatched?

Surrendering can prevent your opponent from causing serious harm and make them lower their guard.

4. How does acting aggressively towards an aggressive opponent affect the situation?

It usually leads to further confrontation and can be counterproductive.

5. What can happen when your opponent thinks they've won the confrontation?

They tend to lower their guard, providing you with an opportunity to recover and plan your next steps.

6. Who is mentioned as an example in the paragraph who used surrender as a strategy?

Bertolt Brecht.

7. How did Bertolt Brecht's behavior during a government investigation differ from his colleagues?

He remained calm and politely answered questions.

8. What was the outcome for Bertolt Brecht after the government investigation?

He was released and left the country.

9. What happened to Bertolt Brecht's colleagues who were uncooperative during the investigation?

They were banned from publishing for many years.

10. What lesson does the paragraph emphasize regarding facing a more powerful opponent?

Surrender can be a strategic choice to avoid harm and create an opportunity for future success.

Check Your Knowledge
10x MCQs

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Book Summary The 48 Laws of Power Test-6 (QM)

Book Summary The 48 Laws of Power Test-6 (QM)

The number of attempts remaining is 100

1 / 10

1. Why might surrendering seem strange when facing a stronger opponent?

2 / 10

2. What lesson does the paragraph emphasize regarding facing a more
powerful opponent?

3 / 10

3. Why does the author suggest surrendering in cases where you're clearly
outmatched?

4 / 10

4. How does acting aggressively towards an aggressive opponent affect the
situation?

5 / 10

5. How did Bertolt Brecht's behavior during a government investigation differ
from his colleagues?

6 / 10

6. What strategy does the author recommend when facing a more powerful
opponent?

7 / 10

7. Who is mentioned as an example in the paragraph who used surrender as a
strategy?

8 / 10

8. What was the outcome for Bertolt Brecht after the government investigation?

9 / 10

9. What can happen when your opponent thinks they've won the confrontation?

10 / 10

10. What happened to Bertolt Brecht's colleagues who were uncooperative
during the investigation?

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