A while ago I started reading Robert Greene’s “48 Laws of Power” and have to say … mucho disturbio.

Is the world really this corrupt?  Are people really this horrible?  Am I really that naïve? 
It appears the answer to all of those questions is a resounding “Yes!”

Sigh.  Well, the banality of evil is a thing, so …

“Deception is a developed art of civilization” … “congenial yet cunning, democratic yet devious …” / Really?

Apparently, we (the collective) are all trapped in the courtesan’s role of seeking power while concealing our efforts to acquire it, and none of us can legitimately opt out of the game.

Otherwise consider yourself prey, and easily preyed upon.

Sigh.

Well, as the wise man once said, Can’t beat ‘em?  Join ‘em … so, better to learn the rules than get played by them.

See ergo, to wit — those low creatures … the masters of mankind.

Sigh.  Ick.

But, however, nevertheless … one immediately valuable lesson of the 48 is also one of the most important – the key to playing the inevitable game is mastering one’s emotions.  {James 1:19}

That, I can get with.  Far too many are slaves to reaction, rolling in the stink of feelings …

Now I readily admit it feels good to blow up all over a situation, just freak out and flail for a bit.

But indulging in the petty, while delicious, often has repercussions that last far longer than the temporary release.

Temper tantrums lead to timeouts.  Or time in.  Adulting is hard.

So – keep it together, and master the 48. 

If deception is an art, patience is the canvas upon which that art is crafted.

Wait.  Watch.  Learn.

Even if you don’t want to play the game, still must avoid getting played.

Sigh.  Ick.