The Proxy by Anonymous

From FiranMUX

Always have a second in command, or someone willing to take the fall if things go badly. It helps to have two of them, actually. One that you can blame for stuff and pretend to be mad at--the other of which you wouldn't mind killing if need be.

Seek to know all the weaknesses of your allies and your enemies alike.

Always seek to gather as much information on other political power players as you can--preferably the kind of information that you can use to ruin them.

Never actually ruin a political opponent--or anyone--unless there is a political advantage to doing so.

Make useful enemies. Choose someone, or some family, to be the public face of your ire. Keep your real enemies secret--they should never know you hate them until you plunge the knife into their back for good. Make sure that hating your public enemy makes you allies with their other enemies, or at least serves as a shield to keep your true motives hidden.

Make plans and decisions like you are on a ship that might sink. Have a B, C and D plan ready.