5# - ONE MIN BOOK SUMMARY - The 48 laws of Power (Robert Greene)- Law 3: CONCEAL YOUR INTENTIONS.
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"Have you ever heard of a skillful general, who intends to surprise a citadel, announcing his plan to his enemy? Conceal your purpose and hide your progress; do not disclose the extent of your designs until they cannot be opposed, until the combat is over. Win the victory before you declare the war. In a word, imitate those war like people whose designs are not known except by the ravaged country through which they have passed."
(Ninon de Lenclos, 1623-1706)
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The Marquis de Sevigne was inexperienced in the art of love. He confided in the infamous courtesan of seventeenth-century France, Ninon de Lenclos, to instruct him on how to seduce a difficult young countess.
She made him follow a plan over a number of weeks, where the Marquis would be appearing in public always surrounded by beautiful women, in the very places the countess would be expected to see him. He was supposed to assume an air of nonchalance.
This increased the jealousy of the young countess, who was not sure of his interest in her.
One day the Marquis, unable to control his passion, broke from Ninon’s plan, and blurted out to the countess that he loved her...
After this admission, the countess no longer found him interesting and avoided him. The whole premise of dating is based on games, wild moves and being unpredictable.
If you display your feelings too soon it becomes an artless show of passion. A door closed that would never open again.
In seduction, set up conflicting signals, such as desire and indifference, and you not only throw them off the scent, you inflame their desire to possess you.
