Law21 - Play a sucker to catch a sucker – Seem dumber than your mark

Law 21 tells us that intelligence is best kept hidden to win against your opponent. Basically, it is like being a wolf in sheep's clothing. You see, if you immediately reveal how smart you are, people will put their guard up because they know what you are capable of. However, if you pretend to be a fool and hide your intelligence, they will most likely put their guard down around you. This gives you the advantage of outwitting them.

A good example of this is the Trojan horse in the Trojan war. The Trojans thought that they were the winner because they saw the Greek's ships sail away. Also, there was a big wooden horse left behind by the Greeks. The Trojans, believing that the wooden horse was some sort of peace offering to them, took it into the city. Well, we all know what happens next. By the time night fell, the Greeks sneaked out of the wooden horse and killed the unprepared Trojans. Thus ends the Trojan war.

Because the Trojans believed that the Greeks gave up, they were not cautious in bringing the wooden horse to the city. They let their guards down, and the Greeks used this opportunity to attack the city.

Law 21 can also work in reverse. Sometimes showing a display of intelligence can be used to cover up a deception. For example:

There was this art dealer art dealer named Joseph Duveen who sold a Durer painting for a large sum of money. He attended the soiree of the man he sold the painting to, and there was an art critic who believed that the painting was a fake. When the critic told this to Mr. Duveen, the latter merely laughed and said in a confident tone, "How very amusing. Do you realize, young man, that at least twenty other art experts here and in Europe had been taken in too, and have said that painting isn't genuine? And now you've made the same mistake." Because of Mr. Duveen's impressive show of confidence and authority, the critic felt intimidated and backed down. In truth, Mr. Duveen himself is not sure whether the painting is authentic or not. However, since he is the seller, his priorities would be to sell the painting, and to convince other people that the painting is genuine. This shows us how pretending to be knowledgeable in a matter can become an asset, as long as it is convincing.



That being said, what are your opinions about this law? Have you ever tried it before? Do you think using such tactics is okay?



Trixie Cruz