Welcome to MALICIA AS A GAME OF POWER. This blog series aims to delve deep into the realm of Strategy. Throughout the series, we will explore various aspects of dealing with certain people, offering insights on effective communication, conflict resolution, and building meaningful connections. Additionally, we will provide valuable tips on avoiding scammers, protecting oneself from online fraud, and maintaining a secure online presence.
Navigating this world that we live in can be challenging, and in this series, we will share practical guidance on making informed decisions, embracing opportunities, and overcoming obstacles on the path to success. Whether it’s understanding the nuances of negotiation, learning to identify manipulation, or honing your leadership skills, this series will equip you with the knowledge and tools to thrive in the complex landscape of interpersonal dynamics and strategic decision-making. We will also delve into the intricacies of personal branding, self-presentation, and managing one’s online reputation, empowering you to craft a compelling personal and professional image in today’s interconnected digital world. Join us on this insightful journey as we unravel the complexities of power dynamics and strategic maneuvering, arming you with the expertise to navigate the intricate web of relationships and opportunities, and emerge victorious in your pursuits.
In this installment, We will explore the 3rd law of power ine the book, the 48 laws of power by Robert Greene. You can but a copy by clicking HERE.
Laws of Power | Law 3 – Conceal your Intentions | Ethical variant of the law: Keep your intentions pure and for the good of the world.
Concealing your intentions can be a powerful strategy in various aspects of life. By keeping people off-balance and in the dark, you maintain a sense of control and unpredictability. When the purpose behind your actions remains hidden, others are unable to anticipate your next move and prepare a defense. It’s like guiding them down a twisting, complicated path, shrouded in a veil of ambiguity. By the time they realize your true intentions, it’s often too late for them to respond effectively. In contrast, many individuals tend to be transparent in their behavior and communication, freely expressing their thoughts and intentions. Whether due to a desire for authenticity or a lack of awareness about the impact of their openness, they inadvertently reveal their plans and motives. This video sheds light on the reasons behind such behavior and the potential consequences of being an open book in various situations.You will radiate more power than being shady. We’ll explore this law through Suits and Stories.
The following stories are in this video: Marquis de Sevigne, a lad of twenty-two, handsome, dashing, but hopelessly inexperienced in romance, explained his struggles in pursuing a beautiful but difficult young countess. Ninon decided to take the young man under her wing and help him get the girl.
During the War of the Spanish Succession in 1711, the head of the English army, wanted to destroy a key French fort, because it protected a vital thoroughfare into France. Yet he knew that if he destroyed it, the French would realize that he wanted to advance down that road. So how did he solve this puzzle?
In 1850 the young Otto von Bismarck, a deputy in the Prussian parliament, was at a turning point in his career. Germany was then divided, and a war against Austria. He was one of the greatest strategist known to mankind.
POWER. An aura of dark energy surrounds that word nowadays in society. But let’s face it. Without power you can’t control your life. It’s not just about the societal perception, but also the personal struggles and sacrifices one may need to make in pursuit of power. The yearning for power can lead to a web of deception, betrayal, and moral compromise, pulling individuals into a complex labyrinth where their true nature becomes obscured in the shadows of manipulation and control. The thirst for power can distort one’s sense of morality and lead them down a path where the line between right and wrong becomes dangerously blurred. It’s a world where the boundaries of ethical behavior dissolve, and the relentless pursuit of power overshadows empathy and kindness. In this exploration, we can witness the intricate web of relationships, the psychological toll, and the consequences that unfold when an individual is ensnared in the clutches of power’s alluring but destructive grip.
The Third Law of Power: A Perspective from the Angoleiro
The concept often referred to as “The 3rd Law of Power,” when viewed through the unique and deeply rooted lens of an Angoleiro—a practitioner and master of Capoeira Angola—takes on a complex, nuanced, and intensely practical meaning. For the Angoleiro, power is not merely dominance or overt control, but a subtle, fluid, and often concealed energy, deeply connected to history, tradition, and personal mastery.
The Angoleiro’s Interpretation of “Power”
In most traditional interpretations of power dynamics, the third law often deals with concealing intentions or creating an aura of unpredictability. However, the Angoleiro’s life, dedicated to a martial art born from resistance and coded communication, reframes this law into three core tenets:
1. Power is Concealment through Malandragem (Cunning and Deceit):
For the Angoleiro, true power lies in the art of malandragem. This term, which translates loosely to cunning, street smarts, or trickery, is not about malicious deceit, but about strategic, playful misdirection. The Angoleiro must always appear open, even vulnerable, in the roda (the Capoeira circle), while simultaneously preparing a swift counter-attack or evasion.
- The Jogo (Game) of Hidden Intent: The power move is not the kick itself, but the slow, hypnotic movement leading up to it. The low, smiling stance, the relaxed arm movements—these are the powerful deceptions. The true intention (to strike, to take down, or to simply confuse) is always masked by grace and a seemingly casual rhythm. The Angoleiro understands that the moment your opponent fully grasps your objective, you have already lost the power advantage.
2. Power is the Mastery of Axé (Life Force and Energy):
Power, in the context of Capoeira Angola, is inextricably linked to Axé, the vital life force, energy, or spiritual power that permeates the universe and is cultivated within the roda. The third law of power, for the Angoleiro, is the ability to project and manipulate the Axé of the environment.
- Controlling the Roda’s Flow: A powerful Angoleiro doesn’t just dominate their opponent; they dominate the entire roda. They set the tempo with the berimbau (the main instrument), their singing, and their clapping. Their energy must be infectious, drawing the audience and other players into their orbit. The third law, therefore, becomes about being the energetic center of gravity, making others move to your rhythm, not the other way around. The power is in the collective feeling you create.
3. Power is the Strength of the Tradição (Tradition and Ancestry):
The power of the Angoleiro is not purely individual; it is inherited. The third law states that one’s personal power is amplified exponentially by aligning oneself fully with the lineage, the rituals, and the deep history of Capoeira Angola.
- Invisibility through Continuity: By faithfully executing movements and rituals passed down through generations—by singing the songs of the old masters and honoring the foundational rules of the roda—the Angoleiro becomes a vessel for an ancient, collective power. This cultural weight is their ultimate tool of influence. Their actions are not just personal; they carry the weight of resistance, survival, and freedom, a formidable presence that no single opponent can truly overcome.
For the practitioner of Capoeira Angola, the interpretation and application of the 3rd Law of Power—which states, ‘Conceal your intentions’—moves far beyond a superficial tactical consideration; it is, in essence, a foundational philosophy woven into the fabric of the art itself. This law is not about merely hiding a maneuver; it is about embodying the art’s fundamental dualities, a characteristic that defines the Angola style.
This practice demands that the participant master the coexistence of contrasting elements. The overt grace of the Angoleiro’s movements, the slow, flowing, almost ritualistic quality of the game, acts as a deliberate mask. This visible beauty serves to completely obscure the covert speed and explosive potential that is held in reserve. Similarly, the seemingly relaxed stance and low-to-the-ground ginga is, paradoxically, a container for immense tension—a coiled readiness for an instant, powerful reaction or attack. The opponent, observing only the surface calm and rhythm, misinterprets this lack of aggression as passivity, failing to perceive the imminent danger.
Furthermore, this mastery of concealed power transforms the player’s personal skill from an individual display into a conduit for a collective, historical energy. The individual’s movements become inseparable from the generations of wisdom and subtle strategies passed down. When an Angoleiro executes an unpredictable movement, it is not merely a personal innovation, but the sudden manifestation of this deep, almost ancestral knowledge. The power, therefore, is rooted not just in physical ability, but in this profound cultural and historical context.
To truly wield this Angoleiro-specific power is to become the master of the hidden rhythm. The rhythm of the game, set by the berimbau and the roda, has a public, audible beat, but the Angoleiro introduces a secondary, interior tempo—a psychological beat that dictates the opponent’s responses. By controlling this unseen rhythm, the Angoleiro ensures that the opponent is perpetually reacting to the shadow you cast—the deceptive appearance, the false rhythm, the feigned intention—never to your true form or genuine tactical plan. This strategic concealment of intent transforms the game from a physical contest into a psychological one, where the Angoleiro’s ultimate advantage is their superior command over perception and time.
Jogo Corpo Fechado 