48 Laws of Power: #4 Say Less than Necessary

Always Say Less than Necessary The more you say, the more common you appear, and the less in control. Powerful people impress and intimidate by saying less. The more you say, the more likely you are to say something foolish.”—**Robert Greene - **48 Laws of Power

The Impact Of Being Humbly Silent

Ever notice how you are drawn to the person who says the least? Or how much power being silent during an argument has over the aggressor? There's much to be said on how much saying nothing can do.

Practice your silence. Learn when to shut up. This isn't to say that you should never speak up, but words are not always necessary. When you successfully learn this balance, you become just a tad more powerful than the next. The most alluring part about this tactic is that when you finally do decide to speak, people will be open to hearing what you have to say. You'll have their attention and they're more likely to retain what you've said.