Part 8/15:
Effective conquest and leadership require understanding the innate character of those you confront. As the sayings go, conquer with respect, and the conquered will retain a form of grudging respect. Conversely, cruelty and dehumanization breed lasting shame and societal decay.
Empathy as a Weapon for Good and Evil
Empathy, surprisingly, can be wielded as a weapon—used thoughtfully to guide, manipulate, or control in pursuit of strategic goals. Great statesmen like Bismarck and historical leaders with profound psychological insight have used empathy to unify nations, crush rivals, and shape history.