The 48 Laws of Power · law 19 of 48
19. Know Who You Are Dealing With — Do Not Offend the Wrong Person
discernment
The principle
There are many different kinds of people; never assume your tactics will work on all of them. Misread the wrong person and you create an enemy who will not forget.
The application
Before any move that could embarrass another person, ask: what does this person actually have to lose, what is their tolerance for public friction, and what are they capable of when slighted? A graceful exit costs nothing; a careless slight costs decades.
The defensive tell — how to spot it being run on you
When you are about to push back on someone, even justifiably, ask one question: how durable is their memory, how long is their reach, and how patient are they? Some opponents you can outlast. Some you cannot. Know which is which.