The 3rd Law of Power states that you "Conceal Your Intentions."
This is probably the most difficult law for me. It goes against my very nature and who I pride myself to be. I hold myself to the high ideal and standard of being an open book. One who is readable, single eyed, whole, and perfect in being the same everywhere that you find me. That's got to have some comma to it, though. That is, if you are going to win in this life. You cannot afford to show how you feel to everyone, in every place, all the time. It goes against the basic tenets of emotional maturity and intelligence.
Emotional intelligence and maturity entails being extremely responsible for not only your own emotions, but that of those you relate with. Meaning, you need to be able to attune your emotions for the response you desire. You refuse to allow someone else, thing, circumstance, or situation to control your emotions. Rather, you reign your emotions in, under your control to achieve a predetermined aim or goal. This is an essential attribute of one who is not neurotic in nature.
This also falls under the tenets of psychological and the supreme art of warfare, where the intent is to work on the mindset (psche) of the opposition in a bid to conquer from within, rather than from without. It is doing without doing, passive without being passive. It is winning without lifting a finger, yet lifting a finger. It is a contention for the mind of the opposition, rather than a physical offense or defense. You win the war from the inside out, rather than the outside in.
In its crudest form, it is sheer witchcraft or manipulation. Now, I dare to distinguish between good and bad witchcraft here. Or, rub off witchcraft entirely from one side. 'Tis an act and art of life and living. It is a norm in life, which can be used for both good and evil, just like every other thing in life. It is not the thing, it is the way it is used that might make it good or bad. As you might observe, each one of the laws of power can be used for evil or good, offensive or defensive.
The evilness or goodness is not in the laws themselves, but in how a person chooses to apply them. We are political beings. We need to massage one another in one form or the other. None of us can stand the brutal truth all the time, in everything, and everywhere. We manage each circumstance by using the right words and demeanor, not necessarily to tell lies, but to keep the sanity of the environment.
I have learned this more from it being used against me, than from using it on others. I used to pride myself otherwise, by the years of my pilgrimage have taught me this one important law. It saves lives, not only yours, but that of your opposition also, depending on the specific circumstances and situation.
The Saint.