Chapter One
A DEFINITION OF POWER
In order for one to ever gain power, and then hold onto it, one must first understand the very concept, and the practicality, of the word 'power' itself. Power can mean different things to different people, for it is entirely conceptual; to some it is 'knowledge', yet knowledge in itself is also defined in vastly-differing ways. To others, power is taken literally - by its definition of strength or muscularity.
I put forth to you, the reader: neither of these definitions, nor any conceptual definition you may hold, are true. Power is not conceptual, but may only be described conceptual. It would be just as folly to define power conceptually, as it would be to define knowledge conceptually. Thus, I remain entirely in favour of defining realities, using reality itself.
Power is the ability to influence others through different means, through a system, like a hierarchy, that is in place of the current time; whether or not one holds any position of influence.
An example of this can be found simply; a mayor, or a king, may not hold any true power, for while they are in positions of influence, they may not be behind the influences that are projected. It is better to be the king-maker, than the king himself, for while the king may be punished by public opinion, the king-maker may not - even if the king-maker is truly behind any actions made by the king.
Another example of this, within our own time, would be found in the current state of Bree-Town. While of course run by the Mayor, it is quite well-known that the true influence is not with the mayor. He is but a rain-drop within the storm that is politics; for while he holds a position of authority, and thus influence, he does not have any influence for himself, and therefore he is simply a piece, within the game that is politics, for others to use. He is a tool within the toolkit of the ambitious, and his influence is naught but a false-image portrayed to the public, for reasons concerning the well-being of public order and obedience.
Therefore, it must be understood by all, that power is a reality, something of physical existence - however, it is to be perceived conceptually as a word, in order to maintain public opinion and the acceptance of all; power is something, but something that must be used carefully, though still ambitiously.
Power can be obtained in a number of ways, though the theme is the same - just as there may be a number of tools for, as an example, a farmer to use, even though each tool carries the same theme of its near-identical replica, predecessors, and that which will come after it. In order to gain power, one must take it literally and be prepared to forget his older methods, of which have little use - for, as has been stated, power is a reality, and not a concept; if you hold a position of power, you are most likely in a place of conceptual power, for you are simply perceived as one with power, and therefore you have no power.
This book shall teach you, the ambitious, how to obtain power, and then how to maintain it; for even the powerful will fall, if they cease to bolster their power and ruin that of both their allies and their enemies.
