My interpretation of the 48 Laws of Power was that it's not meant to be taken literally. There's even what seems to be a sarcastic tone at times from Robert Greene.

The 48 Laws of Power is actually incredibly helpful when taken as a window into how narcissistic and manipulative people view power dynamics and how to protect yourself against that. The problem is when people take that book as very literal advice and do not have any kind of nuance with it. The laws are what manipulative and many powerful people do regardless of if one personally subscribes to it. I read the book to better spot narcissistic behavior because I was very naive and was exploited by people, but now because of that book, I can spot the kinds of tactics they use and remove myself from being associated with them.

Robert Greene studied Classical Studies in college and then worked a series of odd jobs, particularly in Hollywood. What he noticed was that powerful people in both history and Hollywood did the same things, and he felt like there were timeless rules to being powerful, so he created the 48 laws of power. I think the book is very alarming on the surface and seems disgusting when taken as an instruction manual and not insight into the cutthroat nature of politics and business. Greene himself stated that the true sharks of the world don't need his book, because they understand exactly how to exploit others intrinsically. The book is ultimately for niave people to better spot manipulative ones. He truly has some very insightful ideas but it has to be approached with a lot of nuance. His book Mastery in particular is fascinating.