
19 Feb Be less smart than you really are and let the smartest brag(ROBERT GREENE)
The Chinese have phrase “Masquerading as a swine to kill the tiger.” This refers to an ancient hunting technique in which the hunter clothes himself in the hide and out of a pig, and mimics its grunting. The mighty tiger thinks a pig is coming his way, and let it get close, savoring the prospect of an easy meal. But it is the hunter who has the last laugh.
Masquerading as a swine works wonders on those who, like tigers, are arrogant and overconfident. The easier they think it is to prey on you, the more easily you can turn the tables. This trick is also useful if you are ambe tious yet find yourself low in the hierarchy: Appearing less intelligent than you are, even a bit of a fool, the perfect disguise. Look like a harmless pig and no one will believe you harbor dangerous ambitions. They may even promote you since you seen so likable, and subservient. Claudius before he became emperor of Rome, and the prince of France who later became Louis XIII, used this tactic when the above them spected they might have designs on the throne. By playing the fool as young men, they were left alone. When the time came for them to strike, and to act with vigor and decisiveness, they caught everyone off guard.
The 48 laws of power
ROBERT GREENE