Stir Up Waters to Catch Fish – Law 39 of 48 Laws of Power (Full Breakdown with Examples)

Law 39 of the 48 Laws of Power says: “Stir Up Waters to Catch Fish.” This law is all about using emotional agitation as a strategic weapon. When your enemies or opponents are angry, upset, or emotionally overwhelmed, they’re more likely to make mistakes. If you stay calm and stir up the situation around them, you can easily exploit their reactions to your benefit.

Controlling your own emotions while provoking others is a time-tested way to gain the upper hand in power dynamics.

Summary of the Law

In simple terms, when you make your enemies emotional, you disarm their logic. Anger, frustration, and fear cloud judgment. Your goal should be to create a situation that unbalances your opponent while you remain cool-headed and strategic.

Key Ideas:

• Stay calm while others lose control.
• Emotional decisions are usually poor ones.
• When someone is off balance, you gain power.

Historical Examples

1. Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon was known for staying calm in the midst of chaos while ensuring his opponents panicked. His ability to maintain clarity allowed him to anticipate enemy moves and trap them into making rash decisions.

2. Muhammad Ali

In the boxing ring, Ali used psychological tactics to throw off his opponents. His “trash talk” and taunting often stirred up their emotions, leading them to lose focus—and ultimately, the fight.

3. Franklin D. Roosevelt

During his presidency, FDR remained calm during the Great Depression and WWII. Meanwhile, he used rhetoric and controlled messaging to stir the public and political opponents when needed.

Modern-Day Applications

In Business:

• Competitors who respond emotionally to criticism or market shifts can be outmaneuvered.
• Stir public debate or industry chatter to keep rivals reactive.

In Leadership:

• A composed leader is respected and trusted more.
• Provoking others into emotional states can reveal their weaknesses or true intentions.

In Personal Life:

• Don’t react emotionally to provocation.
• If someone wrongs you, maintain your calm—it unsettles them more than confrontation.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

✔ Makes enemies expose their weaknesses.
✔ You maintain a strategic edge.
✔ Prevents you from making impulsive mistakes.

Cons:

❌ If used manipulatively, it can backfire and damage trust.
❌ Requires high emotional control on your part.
❌ Some people may see you as cold or manipulative.

How to Apply the Law Strategically

1. Create Controlled Chaos – Introduce minor tensions or stir conversation to see how others respond.
2. Stay Calm Under Pressure – The more stable you are, the more powerful you appear.
3. Don’t Let Others Manipulate You Emotionally – Be aware of when others are trying to stir your waters.

Conclusion

Law 39 – Stir Up Waters to Catch Fish – teaches that keeping your composure while making others lose theirs is a powerful path to influence.

When your enemies are angry, reactive, or confused, they are at their weakest. Use this law to remain cool-headed and take advantage of emotional turbulence to gain ground. Mastering your own emotions is the first step to mastering power.