Everyone has a weakness. It may be an insecurity, an emotional need or a secret pleasure. Whatever it is can be used to your advantage. Push the right buttons and voila, whatever you want, served to you in a silver platter, with the person totally unaware.
Napoleon didn’t apply that law in his invasion of Russia. He charged using his old war tactics which were dependent on the enemy’s terrain. Since Russia’s terrain didn’t match that of his old conquests, his modus operandi failed and they lost that war. Napoleon’s mistake was the assumption that what worked before would work again. He didn’t find out Russia’s weakness beforehand and that was a cause of his demise.
Contrary to Napoleon is Queen Catherine de’ Medici. She was the acting regent of her next son in line for the throne and so as not to relinquish her power, she formed her escadron volant (“flying squadron”) of young girls to keep the unsuspecting men in court at bay.
Queen Catherine had learned that distinguished men in court wanted to feel they could win a woman regardless of his status, which he just inherited. She sent members of her flying squadron to seduce the men in court and her girls would keep tabs on the men for her, and sway their decisions, if necessary. She used the men’s weakness to her advantage and she succeeded in remaining in power.
Weaknesses, although not openly expressed, can be seen through gestures and unconscious signals. As Freud said, “No mortal can keep a secret. If his lips are silent, he chatters with his fingertips; betrayal oozes out of him at every pore.” It makes you wonder: What have you given away so far?
Theresa Rosario Tan
Hi18-K
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34 comments:
i relish the juxtaposition of pleasure and pain reinforced by his law -- literally, be careful what you wish for (what you want). and i completely agree -- you can resist pain, withstand it, because you don't like it, you have no affinity or preference for it, you can control yourself when faced with it and do what you must to help yourself avoid it. but pleasure is a wholly different matter -- we like it and we keep coming back to it because it makes us feel good.
therefore, we are difficult to control -- we, ourselves, are the enemies and, pleasure used as a weapon, necessitates antagonizing ourselves because we succumb, first of all, to a lack of self-control, a lack of will. and, at the root of this law, is the Power over oneself.
The tactic the law teaches describes using one's enemies' desires against them -- the turning point, the pivotal make or break clincher in that event is one's enemies' decision to succumb to desire.
i really like this law, i think it applies to most situations -- our vices, our time management dilemmas, our love lives, our happy crushes, etc.
on the weaknesses part: i also agree that we can't keep secrets -- if it's a secret then it usually involves something that must be revealed because, why else is it kept hidden away?
above comment posted by
kyra ballesteros
hi18 K
We all have our soft spots, that spot where you felt neglected when you were a kid, or a memory that you try to suppress. Whatever it is, we all try to hide it. And we hide it good to make sure that people think we're a normal happy person, but in reality, we are all just the same-- we have something to hide and something to share.
We all have a front and once a person hits that soft spot of ours, boom! It's okay if the person is a friend, but if the person is a foe and wants to use this to his or her advantage, then we just got ourselves into a bad position.
Be careful. You never know who's watching.
Laurine Fabul
Hi 18 L
We all have our soft spots, that spot where you felt neglected when you were a kid, or a memory that you try to suppress. Whatever it is, we all try to hide it. And we hide it good to make sure that people think we're a normal happy person, but in reality, we are all just the same-- we have something to hide and something to share.
We all have a front and once a person hits that soft spot of ours, boom! It's okay if the person is a friend, but if the person is a foe and wants to use this to his or her advantage, then we just got ourselves into a bad position.
Be careful. You never know who's watching.
Laurine Fabul
Hi 18 L
It's actually an edge over your opponent if you know his or her weakness. However, we should all know when and how to act upon that weakness. It should never come to a point that we start to dismantle that person.
section L! hahaha
Knowing someone's weak spot works to one's advantage most of the time. Whether it be an enemy or not.
Weakness makes it very easy for one’s enemy to earn one’s trust (which can prove to be fatal at times). When someone shows a moment of weakness, stepping in to act as a friend can really make one look like a hero. That, in turn, can have long-lasting effects. Why else would you think Blair Waldorf would do that to then poor and innocent Jenny Humphrey (whose main goal in life then was to be part of the "popular" crowd in school). Or if you're a fan of Alias (wc I totally was :D), you can also see how Nadia Santos’ aunt deliberately makes someone else look like she’s been tortured in order to gain everyone’s sympathy and (eventually trust). All of which was part of the tactic to destroy everything that Nadia is working hard to protect.
Chua Rojas, Serica
HI 18 - L
HERE is what I think:
I agree with this law because no one and nothing on earth is the same, we should find out other's weaknesses. It'll benefit us all because we get to know a person's vulnerability. we know what to do to inflict pain to that being and that is to our advantage. We can stop him from doing things we don't like. Having control over that person. Just like blackmailing.
Knowing a person's weakness or secret and using it to YOUR advantage doesn't work all the time.
The movie "Burn After Reading" was like this. Brad Pitt found a person's secret and he wanted to be payed to keep that secret. Because of that secret, Brad Pitt got killed.
Lesson: we should not only know a person's weakness, we should know how vulnerable or easy to penetrate that person is for it to work to our advantage.
Clarice Manuel
Hi 18- K
Just a couple of things to add, maybe: pick the right weakness (the point where it is easiest to attack may not necessarily be the most vulnerable), and if weakness doesn't seem to exist, claw and claw your way in until you find it without leaving yourself too open.
Also, finding weakness may be a gradual process, and you may have to expose a few of your own, so knowledge of these and a pre-emptive way to defend yourself are absolutely necessary. Expose their weakness and preserve your own strength.
Peep Warren
Hi18-L
i agree with peep. you have to choose the weakness to prey on. i think the important thing in making this law work is not only knowing the weakness. but knowing what to do with it and how to attack it most efficiently with your strengths. so although this law first sounds like the one of the most obvious things to do, it's definitely not easy to pull off... especially if you're planning to do it every single time.
Isabella Ocampo Hi18K
I love the example given, that of Catherine d'Medici. I think that intimacy and "love" in general is one of the best used temptations of all time. Using a man(or woman)'s in-born instincts against him is completely brilliant; it's like using the laws of nature to his disadvantage. They say Helen was Paris' downfall, as was Delilah to Samson. It makes me wonder which celebrity or political figure in today's world can be seen as someone who is falling from grace due to their love affair choices. Did Tom's hysterical couch-jumping incident ruin Katie's movie career? Did Benji Madden desert his music for a certain leggy blonde?
Indeed, everyone has an "Achille's Heel." I think that knowing this and accepting this fact is the first step in becoming a great leader and in obtaining power. Each of your subordinates have weaknesses- find others who can compensate. Each of your enemies have weaknesses- study them and use them against him. YOU have weaknesses- learn how to deal with them, concentrate on your strengths and fight to better your weaknesses.
Regina A. Yulo
Hi 18 L
@ Peep:
There was another example in the article about what you mentioned.. "finding weakness may be a gradual process, and you may have to expose a few of your own"
Well, what the article said was something like you don't really have to divulge any of your secrets, but you have to make your target believe that you are. You have to make them believe that you trust them, as well, and that you have a soft spot as well.
~
I wonder.. Will knowing yourself be a reliable tactic against this? Knowing your weakness, should you hide it more? What if you're not consciously aware of your weakness? What, then?
Theresa Rosario Tan
Hi18K
"I wonder.. Will knowing yourself be a reliable tactic against this? Knowing your weakness, should you hide it more?"
I think it is a reliable tactic. Sometimes it's so easy to lose yourself in everything that you're left vulnerable which means the tables have turned. It is best that you try know yourself first, strengths and weaknesses. After that you can have several options to choose from:
- try to eliminate your weaknesses, if not at least lessen them, or hide them, but then again you can...
- use your "weaknesses" to your advantage, maybe it can be a kind of bait? just as much as you want to manipulate someone using their weaknesses means they might have the same idea about you. The difference would be: you have anticipated their possible actions with regards to your weakness which means you're one step ahead of them therefore you can counteract whatever they have planned.
Gloria Gail Lim, K
hehe...hi18 - K
Gloria Gail Lim...
i think that another important thing to remember about knowing others' secrets or weaknesses is the wisdom in using these cards at the right time. Most people would just jump at the chance to start taking advantage of someone via exploiting these thumbscrews. People should treat these thumbscrews with caution and patience and only use these when it would really benefit you.
monica ang L
@ Monica:
Yes, I agree that one should time these maneuvers well. In using these laws, one has to be smart. Like another example in the book about Count Victor Lustig. He went to a hotel where no one knew anything about him except for the fact that he was very wealthy. One day, he came up to a Mr. Herman Loller, one of the lesser prominent residents in the hotel. The count engaged him in conversation and after some time, Mr. Loller confessed that he had money problems. Count Lustig gave him a solution. Purportedly, he had a money-making machine that reproduced legitimate money in any currency after 6 hours. Loller bought this machine for a large sum of money and after a few months of unsuccessful attempts at using the machine, he had to report to the police that he had been duped by the count.
Count Lustig noticed Loller’s weakness almost immediately. Loller overtipped waiters and talked loudly about his business. Count Lustig knew that Loller’s weakness was his desire to be socially accepted and he also knew that if Loller would be associated with him, he’d be granted his wishes.
One can't be impulsive in using this law. Otherwise, I think that can be used against you. Count Lustig didn't immediately act. Instead, he waited and observed the different guests at the hotel to see who was a "weak link."
@ Gail:
Well, about hiding the weakness, it was written in the article that the weaknesses that are hidden, when found out, will be so much easier to exploit so that might not be a great idea.
As for the second option, that would most probably work. I mean, like in the anecdote above, Count Lustig lied. He showed a "vulnerable" side to him that was completely fake... and it completely worked! You can "draw out" your "victim" by maybe trying to gain their sympathy or maybe pretending that you gave them a secret that was really important to you, which would make them feel important, as well, and would incline them to share to you.
Theresa Rosario Tan
Hi18 -K
having knowledge of someone else's weakness can be very advantageous because it makes you aware of where to strike or attack your enemy in order to come out victorious. basically, knowing one's weaknesses can make things easier and simpler.
one just has to be careful about the presented weakness of another person. for all we know, maybe that person is just creating a front or a false weakness to distract us. we just have to be aware of this and always bear in mind that just because something looks like a weakness, does not mean it actually is a weakness. In attacking another person's weak spot, we have to be certain that this will really bring that person down.
-Philip Albert T. Verde
Hi18 K
Yes, exactly. The weakness you see might just be a front, so you have to be very wary. The other person can be playing the same game you are.
And I think that even though you have to be "sure" (if ever we can be sure) that the weakness we're manipulating is the "right" one, when we "bring the person down," don't you think it would be wise if the person weren't aware that s/he is being brought down?
Also, there's a certain type of weakness (I think the desire for love or attention or something of the sort) wherein even though the person might be aware that you're using them, the fact that someone loves them is enough compensation for them.
But then, don't you think we should be quite subtle when we're doing our "moves"?
theresa rosario tan
hi18k
I agree with the post and the comments above. Exploiting an enemy's weakness can be used to one's advantage, especially if an opponent's weakness is your strength.
However, I think that it is equally important to know an opponent's strengths. Focusing on an enemy's weaknesses exclusively is a weakness in itself, since it is very foolish to concentrate on targeting an opponent's achilles' heel when he has a shotgun pointed towards your way.
Chio Cebrero
Hi 18 L
Maybe choosing your victims should also be a part of this law. I mean, in most of the examples in the articles, the target didn't know that he or she was the victim. The user of the law should be insightful enough to study everything about his opponent then focus on exploiting his weakness. That doesn't imply that he ignore the strengths of his enemy, rather, just hit him where it hurts the most.
Don't you agree?
Theresa Rosario Tan
hi18k
only the people we trust (and they should not be many) should know our weakness because broadcasting your weaknesses can only lead to your demise. if you were able to hide your weaknesses from your enemies, and still they would know about your weaknesses, then you were not able to correctly judge the people you trusted. if this has happened, you may have trusted a spy, or worse, a group of spies.
John Kristoffer M. Gomez
hi18 - section L
I agree with this law. One of the greatest key's in winning wars is to look for the weakness of the enemy and exploit it against them. During world war 2, the Germans believed that they can conquer Russia before the winter came. Because of this, they did not prepare any winter gear for their soldiers. When the winter came, the German soldiers were cold and bitter. Many of the fighting men could no longer fight in the front line because they had either frost bite or trench foot. The Russians used this time to launch a counter offensive against the Germans like the battle of Stalingrad. (Turning Point of the conflict in the East)
I like this theory, very sneaky. I know for a fact that everyone has his own weakness. And playing with that known weakness is a trick that is still very much practiced today. And I think each one of us have had their fare share of this experience.
I agree with the previous posts on how one's own weaknesses may be used as an effective bait. But we must also remember that strengths are also important factors for evaluating the enemy.
Czarina Kathryne Masagca
Hi18-L
@ kris gomez:
I'm not sure you should really *hide* your weakness, per se. I mean, maybe you should just find ways to go beyond your weakness. If you work so hard to keep your weakness hidden, and then some way, it was divulged, that would be a big blow. The bigger they are, the harder they fall. Or so they say.
It might be a tactic for you to show that you've got nothing to hide. If you are aware of your own weakness, it's easier to see if it's being manipulated. I mean, I think some people don't consciously think that they crave social acceptance, but subconsciously, it is quite obvious.
And as I stated in the blog itself, (as quoted from Freud), betrayal oozes from every action. You might not want to purposefully divulge your weakness but somehow, it can be seen. One doesn't have to be *told* about a weakness for him to know about it.
I can't imagine living like that. Worrying if those I trust shouldn't be trusted after all.
@ Sean:
While, yes, I agree that it was a smart move to attack the Germans when they were down, don't you think it was more a matter of good timing?
@ Czarina:
Yes, we must not focus too much on the weakness that we forget the rest of the enemy. We should view him/her as an entirety to craft a more effective plan to make him/her fall.
Theresa Rosario Tan
hi18k
One of the most basic of laws. Use the enemy's weakness to your advantage. I can't seem to think of anything else to say except that that Queen with her band of seducers was very... interesting.
What really made me thinking though was the last question. We don't think of it often but it is right. Even if we don't say some things, people still find out because of the way we act... It makes you think twice about doing everything. But then again, the simple hesitation, the fact that we thought twice is in itself a signal for something...
Jaime Lizada
Hi18 K
I agree that one should take the time to take note or observe each and everyone's weakness. In doing so, one should also keep into mind that everyone has their own weaknesses. One weakness of someone may or may not be present with another. Given this, it is important for one to learn the lesson from the mishap of Napoleon in his invasion of Russia. One should not take for granted or assume that one strategy would work for everything else.
Tom Manahan
Hi18-K
Sun Tzu's (the Art of War dude) signature rule was know your enemy. the easiest, cleanest, surest way to defeat someone is to let them work against themselves. Sun Tzu also said that you should know yourself in order to win ALL your battles (not just most of them). In other words, know your own weaknesses to protect yourself from being exploited. To kyra: You're assuming that the need for pleasure is a weakness. that's the case if you're letting your guard down to let pleasure-giving but potentially threatening people/things in (you get what i mean; my point is that your defenses are penetrated). But i'm sure there's a way for your need for pleasure to work in your favor. Famke Janssen's masochistic character from Golden Eye the 007 flick is an obvious example: equate pain to pleasure and you can't be hurt. But besides that, i think it's not about wanting something and putting yourself at risk just to get it. it's about being aware. know how far you are and are not willing to go for something. denying a weakness only makes it more prounounced. Understanding it puts you in control. If you know you can't win a fist fight to save your life, you'll be sure to arm yourself.
Du, L
I agree with this law because it makes so much sense and we use it in everything we do. This law tells us to have a plan. Know what you need to do and know how to do it. That basically means that you can’t attack blindly. It’s like setting yourself up for a defeat. This is not easy to follow though. It needs time and much preparation but of course, the ending would be a sure victory.
Mara Liboro
Hi18-K
This law proves to be handy in various situations. Once you are able to pin down a person's weak spot, you instantly gain the upper hand. All you have to do is utilize your resources and make sure that anything you do would be to his/her nuisance. Just when your oppenent thinks that he/she has augmented his/her potency, give him/her a slap on the face by assailing his/her frailty.
Monica Copuyoc
Hi18- L
what can i say?
no person is perfect.
i mean, even superman has his kryptonite. think about it, its superman. he's an alien but everyone respects him. he's also white. Even he has a weakness.
JR Resma
Hi18K
This law is very applicable in our lives. No one is perfect; thus, every man has a weakness. We all have that soft and sensitive spot inside of us. The problem with this is when people are aware of our vulnerability. People can easily use this as an advantage and means of defeating us. This is why it is important to conceal as much as we can of our weaknesses and shortcomings.
In the realm of battle, showing mercy is unacceptable. People will not be forgiving and will easily use your weaknesses against you.
Instead of waiting for people to find out your own weakness, I suggest you try your best you find the weaknesses of others. In this case, you'll be the one who has a leverage over them and won't be harmed if ever they do find out your own weakness.
Teri Marcelo
Hi 18-K
A man is only as strong as his weakest aspect. Assuming that one knows how to find it. Even superman has a weakness and exploiting it would render him useless. Same thing goes for any who desire power. Know your opponents and discover their weaknesses and exploit them. But in rare cases, like in the movie we saw earlier today - Hannibal, an enemy's greatest strength can be turned into their greatest weakness by applying the right tactics.
Denis Flores
Hi 18k
In any kind of competitions, I think it is really advantageous if we know the weaknesses of the opponent. Knowing our enemies / opponents will lead us to being superior because we will be able to know where to focus our attack on. I think it is wise to first, identify the weaknesses of opponents "throught gestures and unconscious signals" (as the law mentions). Although it might take some time and effort, I strongly believe that those time and effort will be worthy.
Yu Chin Hong
Hi18-K
Your last statement was very thought provoking! It makes me think, just how easy am i to read? :s This should serve as a reminder not to expose too much, because "everything you say can and will be used against you," same goes for everything you do. When a weakness of an army is exposed, it becomes vulnerable to its enemy, especially when the army is unaware of just how much the enemy knows. Knowing this, i think it's well worth it to explore the enemy and exert a considerable amount of effort to find out their weaknesses. It would greatly help in building an effective strategy, and if the process of discovering these strengths and weaknesses is seamless, it would garner a foolproof victory.
Elise Noelle Anne Lim
Hi18 Section L
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