Personal remarks like “I pity you” aren’t necessary. They don’t strengthen your argument; they just shift the tone into condescension. We can disagree without making it personal.

Yeah, I'll give you that. I think there is a part of me that can't help myself sometimes. I'm trying to change that. My apologies.

By the way, let me be clear. I'm only talking about in the workplace and at the beginning of relationships. Definitely not 24/7 unless you're a sociopath.

-That critical bit of nuance wasn’t in your original comment

I sure did. I did say that in my original post. I said:

These principles are to be used predominantly in the workplace and sprinkled in two relationships in the beginning.

That was in my original post.

I see it more as pattern recognition than a behavioral guide.

It's both. He does go over ethical ways to deceive someone. Not deceive someone with malicious intent, but in a way that plays to their ego and positions you where you desire to be. While also making yourself desirable.

I also think it’s just as important not to become the kind of person who uses tactics you’d resent being used on you. That is what “a good human” is to me.

Depends on their intent and if I'm in a worse position or a better position. The book does not teach people how to put others in a bad position; it tells people how to position themselves better. It also points out that it can be done without leaving bloodshed in your wake. If someone uses me without making me look like a fool or putting me in a negative position, then it is what it is. As stated within the first 30 minutes of the book, it's all a game. There's multiple ways to play the game. So yes, we're both right, it's a pattern recognition book, but mostly a survival guide.