Welcome to MALICIA AS A GAME OF POWER, a blog series that explores the art of strategy in human interactions. It examines effective communication, conflict resolution skills, and negotiation techniques for personal and professional success. The series discusses manipulation tactics with ethical considerations, highlights the importance of leadership skills, and focuses on personal branding and online reputation management. Engaging with this content provides practical strategies for asserting influence and building meaningful relationships in complex power dynamics.
In this installment, we will explore the 25th law of power in the book, the 48 laws of power by Robert Greene. You can buy a copy by clicking HERE.
The 25th law of power: Re-create yourself
In the ever-evolving landscape of personal and professional dynamics, the ability to re-create oneself is crucial for sustained success and influence. This law suggests that we should not merely accept our current identities or positions but instead actively shape and mold them to fit the aspirations we hold.
By continuously reinventing ourselves, we can adapt to changing environments, embrace new opportunities, and overcome obstacles that may come our way. This involves embracing change, seeking out new experiences, and cultivating skills that enhance our relevance in an increasingly competitive world. Moreover, it requires a proactive mindset that not only welcomes innovation but also anticipates potential challenges that we might encounter in our personal and professional lives. By engaging in lifelong learning, we can broaden our perspectives and foster a deeper understanding of diverse fields, which can lead to more creative solutions to complex problems. Building strong networks and relationships with others who share similar goals and aspirations can further amplify our growth, providing us with invaluable support and insights as we navigate this ever-evolving landscape. Together, these strategies empower us to not just survive but thrive, ensuring that we remain adaptable and resilient in the face of uncertainty.
Ultimately, the power lies within our ability to write our own narrative, consistently presenting a version of ourselves that aligns with our goals and desires. This self-authorship not only empowers us but also shapes how we perceive our own potential and the paths we choose to take in our lives. By actively curating our stories, we can better navigate obstacles and harness opportunities, allowing our true selves to emerge in both personal and professional realms. As we refine this narrative, we invite authenticity into our interactions, creating richer, more meaningful connections with those around us, while inspiring others to embark on their journeys of self-discovery and narrative crafting as well.
for the practitioner of Capoeira Angola, the Angoleiro; it is the very breath and structure of their identity within the community. Through the lens of this ancient, embodied art, the law transforms from a cynical strategy into a profound, life-altering methodology for self-mastery and social navigation.The Symbolic Break: The Power of the Apelido
The most concrete, codified act of “Re-Creating Yourself” is the bestowal of the apelido, or nickname. This tradition is a cornerstone of the roda and the Capoeira community structure.
The apelido is not given lightly; it is conferred by the Mestre or senior practitioner only after a period of intense observation of the student’s jogo (the game, style, or quality of movement) and, more importantly, their fundamental personality and character. It is a judgment rendered on the student’s essence as revealed within the dynamic, pressure-filled crucible of the roda.
Once given, the apelido becomes the practitioner’s new, chosen identity within the community. It acts as the symbolic, public, and irrevocable break with the old self. The mundane name—the one tied to family, career, and outside expectations—recedes in importance. The new name, the apelido, is not just a label; it is a destiny. It forces the Angoleiro to live up to the image, the history, and the profound social power invested in that new name. The name might reference a strength (Tigre), a weakness overcome (Cansado, “Tired One,” who now has boundless energy), a peculiar habit (Pena, “Feather”), or a legendary ancestor. In every case, it is the ultimate, required act of “Re-Creating Yourself,” demanding a complete psychological and performative alignment with the new persona.The Architecture of Reputation: The Power of Narrative
Beyond the initial re-baptism of the apelido, the Angoleiro understands that true, sustained power comes from the diligent control and cultivation of one’s ongoing narrative. This is the living, breathing application of Law 25.
The roda is the stage, and the Angoleiro is the meticulous performer. Every action within that circle—from the quality of the drumming and singing to the calculated aggression of a take-down or the humility of a bow—is a building block in their personal mythology. Through the visible, relentless demonstration of:
- Discipline: Adherence to the Mestre’s teachings and the foundational principles of Angola.
- Persistence (A Teimosia): The capacity to absorb repeated setbacks and continue playing, singing, and learning.
- Skill (A Malícia and A Mandinga): The unique blend of technical ability, cunning, and presence that defines their jogo.
they consciously build a reputation—a personal legend—that precedes them into any new roda or community. This reputation is not static; it is constantly refined by new performances. If their jogo is characterized by grace and deception, they are perceived as wily and unpredictable; if it is slow, low, and aggressive, they are seen as an immovable force.
This reputation is the ultimate tool of the 25th Law: it is the public image, the meticulously crafted performance that dictates how others perceive and react to them. This constructed self grants them a subtle but profound advantage in the game of Capoeira—where psychological warfare is as important as physical technique—and, by extension, in the broader game of life. It is the ability to walk into any situation and have others already responding to the re-created self, granting the Angoleiro an immediate authority and psychological edge.
The 25th Law, therefore, is not an abstract concept to the Angoleiro, but an embodied, daily practice—a non-negotiable requirement for survival and mastery within a tradition that demands constant, fluid, and intentional self-definition. The self is not found; it is consciously and powerfully created.
Jogo Corpo Fechado 