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 29th law of power in the book, the 48 laws of power by Robert Greene. You can buy a copy by clicking HERE.
the 29th law of power: Plan all the way to the end.
Plan all the way to the end. The ending is everything; it holds the key to a successful journey. Take into account various scenarios that may arise along the way, for anticipating potential challenges allows you to devise effective strategies.
If you plan thoughtfully, you won’t be overwhelmed by unforeseen obstacles, as a well-structured approach provides clarity and direction. By taking the time to analyze potential challenges and opportunities, you can create a roadmap that minimizes uncertainty and enhances your decision-making processes. Guide fortune by thinking far ahead, envisioning the myriad paths that your decisions may lead to; this foresight not only empowers you to seize opportunities but also equips you to navigate setbacks with resilience and confidence.
Moreover, this proactive mindset encourages you to stay adaptable in the face of change, allowing you to pivot when necessary and explore alternative solutions. By committing to a comprehensive plan, you lay the groundwork for achieving your goals and dreams, while also fostering a sense of purpose and motivation that drives you forward, even when the journey becomes daunting.
The 29th Law of Power, often interpreted as ‘Plan All the Way to the End,’ takes on a unique and profound resonance when viewed through the eyes of an Angoleiro, a master practitioner of Capoeira Angola.
For the Angoleiro, the jogo (the game or dance) is never a series of isolated movements, but a single, continuous narrative. Every caminho (path) taken—from the opening chamada (call) to the final queda (takedown or fall)—must be executed with the conclusion already imprinted in the mind.
Elaboration through the Lens of Capoeira Angola:
- The Roda as the Grand Strategy: The roda (the circle where Capoeira is played) is the Angoleiro’s strategic map. Planning to the end means seeing not just the immediate interaction with the opponent (the comprador), but the energy of the entire circle, the rhythm of the berimbau, and the subtle shifts in the audience’s attention. The Angoleiro must plan the volta ao mundo (the ‘walk around the world’ or circumvention of the roda) with a purpose, knowing precisely where they will re-enter the game and with what intention.
- The Principle of Malandragem and Deception: The 29th Law, for the Angoleiro, is deeply intertwined with malandragem—the art of cleverness, cunning, and strategic ambiguity. The ‘end’ is not necessarily a definitive victory, but the establishment of control and intellectual superiority. The Angoleiro will use slow, deceptive movements (passo a dois) to create the illusion of vulnerability, all while planning the sudden, decisive counter-movement (rasteira or cabeçada) that ends the immediate sequence. The plan is to out-think, not merely out-fight.
- Conservation of Axé (Life Force): A critical aspect of planning to the end is the efficient management and conservation of axé (spiritual and physical energy). An inexperienced player wastes energy on flashy, unplanned moves. The Angoleiro, adhering to the 29th Law, plays with an economy of motion, ensuring that every movement serves the ultimate goal of preserving their energy while compelling the opponent to expend theirs. The plan culminates when the opponent’s axé is depleted, and the Angoleiro’s remains intact.
- The Berimbau’s Decree: The tempo and rhythm set by the Berimbau Gunga dictates the pace of the ‘end.’ A high-tempo São Bento Grande demands a swift, aggressive plan, concluding quickly. A slow, deep Angola rhythm demands a long-term, psychological plan that unfolds over many minutes, concluding with a subtle, non-physical victory—a lesson taught or a deeper truth revealed. The Angoleiro plans to finish the conversation that the music has started.
Conclusion:
For the Angoleiro, ‘Plan All the Way to the End’ is not a cold, calculating military dictum, but a spiritual and artistic commitment to the integrity of the performance. It means treating every moment—from the simple ginga to the complex acrobatic maneuver—as an intentional step toward a pre-visualized, elegant, and definitive conclusion, one that honors the tradition and the philosophy of Capoeira Angola.
Jogo Corpo Fechado 