Welcome to 48lawsapplied. Today we break down one of history’s most powerful figures. Napoleon Bonaparte rose from a minor noble to Emperor of France. His story is a master class in applying the 48 Laws of Power. We will see how he used specific laws to build his empire. Let’s get into it.
Law 3: Conceal Your Intentions
This law is about hiding your true plans. You must keep people off balance. Never let them see your next move. This prevents them from preparing a defense. Napoleon was a grand master of this law.
One clear example is the Battle of Austerlitz in 1805. Napoleon faced a larger Russian and Austrian army. He knew he needed a clever trick to win. He pretended to be weak and scared. He gave up a key hill on the battlefield on purpose. He then held talks with the enemy, acting like he wanted peace. All this was a act.
The enemy thought Napoleon was beaten. They took the bait and attacked his weak right side. This was exactly what Napoleon wanted. He had hidden his best troops. As the enemy pushed forward, he struck their center with full force. He split their army in two and crushed it. His hidden plan led to one of his greatest wins. By concealing his intentions, he controlled the enemy’s actions. He made them dance to his tune.
Law 15: Crush Your Enemy Totally
This law states a simple truth. If you leave an enemy broken, they cannot recover. But if you leave them a way out, they will come back for revenge. You must remove all threats completely. Napoleon understood this better than most.
After taking power in France, he still faced royalist supporters. These people wanted the old king back. They plotted against him. In 1804, he learned of a major royalist plot. The Duke of Enghien was a key figure. He was living across the border in Baden.
Napoleon made a brutal choice. He sent men into neutral territory to seize the duke. They brought him back to France. After a quick trial, the duke was executed. This action sent a shockwave through Europe. It was a stark message to all his enemies. Napoleon would not show mercy. He would crush any threat totally. This move scared many into silence. It secured his rule through fear and strength. He did not just win. He made sure his opponents could never fight back.
Law 28: Enter Action With Boldness
This law says you must never hesitate. When you move, move with boldness and confidence. Doubt and fear are contagious. But so is bold action. People will follow a leader who acts with surety. Napoleon’s entire career was built on this idea.
His return to France in 1815 is the perfect case. After his first defeat, he was exiled to a small island. The kings of Europe thought they had won. But Napoleon escaped with a tiny force. He landed in the south of France. The king sent a whole army to capture him. The soldiers were ordered to shoot him on sight.
Napoleon did not hide. He walked right up to the soldiers alone. He opened his coat and said, “If any of you will shoot his Emperor, here I am.” This was an incredibly bold gamble. He showed no fear at all. His confidence won the day. The soldiers did not shoot. They joined him instead. This bold move started his famous Hundred Days rule. He retook France without firing a single shot. His sheer audacity made people follow him. He entered action with boldness and changed history.
Law 14: Pose as a Friend, Work as a Spy
This law is about knowing your enemy. To defeat them, you need good information. The best way to get this is to act like their friend. Learn their secrets and weaknesses. Then you can strike where it hurts the most. Napoleon used this tactic on a grand scale.
A great example is the Treaty of Tilsit in 1807. Napoleon had just defeated Russia. He met with Tsar Alexander I on a raft to make peace. Napoleon did not act like a proud winner. Instead, he was charming and friendly. He called the Tsar his brother and ally. They talked for hours alone. Napoleon shared his big ideas about ruling Europe together.
This friendly act was a trick. Napoleon was working as a spy. He was learning about the Tsar’s mind. He found out what the Tsar wanted and feared. The friendly peace gave Napoleon a free hand to rule Western Europe. He got the information he needed to manage his new “ally.” He posed as a friend to control a rival. It was a classic spy move dressed as diplomacy.
Law 7: Get Others to Do the Work For You, But Always Take the Credit
This law is about using the skills of others. A smart leader knows they cannot do everything alone. You must use the talents of your team. But you must also make sure the credit comes back to you. This builds your fame and reputation. Napoleon was brilliant at this.
He surrounded himself with amazing marshals. These were generals like Ney, Murat, and Davout. They were fantastic military minds. Napoleon gave them big tasks and armies. They won great battles for him. But he always made sure the glory was his.
After a big win, he would write a official report. This report was called a bulletin. It would be read all over France. In these bulletins, he would praise his marshals. But he always placed himself at the center of the victory. He was the master planner. He was the one who inspired the troops. The bulletin for the Battle of Borodino is a key example. His marshals did the hard fighting. But the report made it sound like Napoleon’s genius won the day. The public saw him as the sole hero. This built his myth as an unbeatable leader. He used the work of others to build his own power.
| Law Number | Law Name | Napoleon Example |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Conceal Your Intentions | The Battle of Austerlitz. He feigned weakness to lure in enemy forces. |
| 14 | Pose as a Friend, Work as a Spy | The Treaty of Tilsit. He acted as an ally to Tsar Alexander to gain intelligence. |
| 15 | Crush Your Enemy Totally | The execution of the Duke of Enghien. He eliminated a threat to secure his rule. |
| 28 | Enter Action With Boldness | His return from Elba in 1815. He reclaimed France through sheer audacity. |
| 7 | Get Others to Do the Work, But Take the Credit | His use of military bulletins. He took credit for his marshals’ battlefield successes. |
Final Thoughts
Napoleon Bonaparte was a complex man. But his use of power was clear. He studied history and human nature. He applied these laws with precision. His rise and fall teach us much about power. We can see these same laws used by leaders today. Understanding them is the first step to seeing the game of power in action.
Thanks for reading. Stay powerful.