"权力的声誉就是权力。"
— Thomas Hobbes
Simplified Meaning:
If people believe you are powerful, that belief itself makes you powerful. Think of a leader who is respected and seen as strong by their followers. Even if this leader doesn't do anything extraordinary, their reputation alone can motivate people to follow their orders and trust their decisions. The fear or respect that others have for them can often be more influential than their actual abilities or actions. For example, in a school, a principal might have a reputation for being very strict. Students will follow the rules more carefully just because they believe the principal is always watching and will take action if they misbehave. In this way, the principal's reputation helps maintain order even when they aren't actively enforcing the rules. So, having a strong reputation can give you a lot of control and influence over others. If you want to be powerful, it's important to build and maintain this kind of reputation.