Welcome to MALICIA AS A GAME OF POWER, a blog series that explores the strategies of human interactions, including communication, conflict resolution, negotiation, and manipulation. It discusses leadership, personal branding, and online reputation management, providing practical strategies for influence and relationship-building. Through analysis and examples, the series aims to help readers navigate interpersonal relationships successfully.
In this installment, we will explore the 30th law of power in the book, the 48 laws of power by Robert Greene. You can buy a copy by clicking HERE.
LAW 30 MAKE YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS SEEM EFFORTLESS
Make your accomplishments seem effortless, as if they were a natural extension of your daily routine and not the result of hard work and dedication. This approach not only enhances your image but also inspires those around you to believe in their own potential and capability to achieve great things. By cultivating an air of ease in your achievements, you can create a compelling narrative that draws others in and encourages them to pursue their own goals with the same fervor and passion.
Focus on the journey and the lessons learned along the way, sharing stories that highlight your resilience and creativity, allowing your successes to shine without overshadowing the effort that brought them to fruition. Emphasize how each setback provided valuable insights, shaping your perspective and fortifying your determination. Delve into specific instances where your innovative thinking led to unexpected solutions, and reveal the depth of commitment it took to navigate challenges.
By doing so, you not only celebrate your achievements but also paint a vivid picture of the hard work and perseverance that made those victories possible. Ultimately, let your narrative inspire others to appreciate the process as much as the result, fostering a greater understanding of what it truly means to succeed.
The 30th Law of Power, often summarized as “Make your accomplishments seem effortless,” takes on a profound and multi-layered meaning when viewed through the philosophy and practice of an Angoleiro—a practitioner of Capoeira Angola.
In the roda (the circle where Capoeira is played), the Angoleiro strives for malícia—a streetwise cleverness, a deceptive slowness, and a hidden intention. This is the very embodiment of the 30th Law. The true master of Capoeira Angola does not rely on brute force or ostentatious acrobatics; instead, their movements are grounded, fluid, and appear almost lethargic. A kick or an escape that seems impossibly swift is preceded by a deceptive, casual stance (ginga) that lulls the opponent into a false sense of security.
The application of this law extends far beyond the physical exchange in the roda. For the Angoleiro, making an accomplishment seem effortless is a demonstration of mastery over fear, ego, and the need for external validation.
- Concealing the Labor (Trabalho Oculto): The years of solitary training, the aching muscles, the repetition of basic movements (aú, queda de quatro, negativa), and the deep study of the music and history are all hidden from view. When the Angoleiro enters the roda, the profound effort required to achieve that level of grace is completely erased. The outcome—the complex conversation of the game—looks like a natural, spontaneous expression, not the culmination of a decade of grueling effort.
- The Art of Deception (A Malícia): An opponent must not see the string connecting the preparation to the result. If a person sees the true effort behind a success, they may be able to replicate it or, worse, prepare a countermeasure. The Angoleiro’s greatest victories are achieved when the opponent is taken by surprise, not by a show of strength, but by a sudden shift in rhythm or a perfectly timed, seemingly simple movement that forces an opening. The true power lies in the mental advantage gained by appearing totally relaxed and uncommitted, only to strike with perfect precision.
- Cultivating Mystique (O Mistério): In Capoeira Angola, the historical and philosophical roots are as important as the physical game. By making their performance seem effortless, the Angoleiro elevates the act from a mere sport to an expression of cultural and spiritual depth. This aura of ease creates a mystique, leading onlookers and opponents to believe the Angoleiro possesses a natural gift, a secret knowledge, or an inner calm that is unattainable by ordinary means. This mystique is a form of power, inspiring awe and preventing others from believing they can easily defeat or replicate the master’s skill.
In essence, the Angoleiro’s interpretation of the 30th Law is: The true demonstration of power is the ability to hide the chains of effort with the silk of grace. This is the finesse of the master—to achieve the most difficult feats as if they required no more effort than breathing.
Jogo Corpo Fechado 