LAW 26: KEEP YOUR HANDS CLEAN

Even for the powerful, making mistakes is inevitable. So is the need to do unpleasant work. But the truly powerful never let their hands soiled by errors and malevolent deeds. They use others as scapegoats and cat’s-paws to keep their hands sparklingly clean.

When Henry VIII became king, to ease dissatisfaction caused by his greedy father’s means of raising money, he blamed the royal ministers and had them beheaded. Scapegoats. Years later, Thomas Wolsey carried the burden of daily government. But in doing his job, he gained many enemies. In popular mind, he was responsible for imposing heavy taxes to pay for wars. He did the dirty work. Cat’s-paw. Through these, Henry’s image just remained untainted.

Law 26 simply says that the powerful must maintain his immaculate appearance, an epitome of civility and competence. When he blunders, he manages to hide them and ensures another person is blamed then “sacrificed” – scapegoat: Ts’ao Ts’ao of China once used a chief of commissariat as scapegoat when he wrongly estimated rations for his army. When the powerful needs to do something unpleasant, he manipulates others to do it for him – cat’s-paw: Cleopatra of Egypt once used Julius Caesar and Marc Antony as cat’s-paws to squash her enemies. These two tools have other purposes.

Scapegoats. Good reputation lies on what people know, and mistakes should be concealed from them through scapegoats for one to gain such an image. Aside from taking blame, scapegoats also function as warning: killing innocent people shows enemies that you can sacrifice the innocent to protect your own power.

Cat’s-paws. There will inevitably come a time when one will need to do something unfavorable; cat’s-paws are used. It saves appearances, like with Henry VIII. It also saves energy and effort when it’s used to do one’s bidding.

However, scapegoats and cat’s-paws must be used with great caution. They hide involvement in dirty work, but once revealed, events will go unmanageable. Sometimes it’s better to take the blame – play the penitent leader; or do the dirty work yourself – and instill fear in subordinates. But this should be done sparingly.

To be powerful and stay dominant, one cannot just float up – he needs to step on something. And what can be more convenient than stepping on other people and letting them lift you to the top – with them keeping your hands all clean? Let the good come from you, and the evil from others.

Macalinao, Maria Christina M.

Hi18 - L