I was thinking about how to present the information in this article and decided to divide it into a parts with look, characteristics, all the things you need to know in advance in order to perform at your best. Topic of power is generally wide and it applies to many aspects of our life. In common:
lack of power means to a person very commonly – lack of sense
of control on things and misery. I would do my best to present concepts, ideas & things which may further your cause.
This article is extension to the:
MAP of POWER, blueprint for power article & to book:
LAWS Of POWER, Power Laws, Power Minors which is one of the many resources used on this
particular page.

The most influence on power (before we start going into the financial terms) is the level of ""µ" which you've accumulated in you're antibody (Symptoms of falling below "µ" (power) ~ 0.35) and the health issue (by not being perfectly healthy [you're not] – you're immune system is overloaded with
work, so you show remarks of you're overall health by e.g. being nervous or having "mind fog"). Both have very large impact on the way you think and are perceived by others.
Also confidence and associated with it: money (#link1) play major importance.
You're knowledge is also important, however it remains hidden for the most. It rather depends what you do with it – unused is forgotten and without any purpose.
I would say that the first thing which you can change now (& the #1 with importance) is the dangerous SUBCONSCIOUS PROGRAMMING which, over time – reprograms you're patterns of action to those most successful, not allowing you (you're mind controls you're thoughts & body) – to be unsuccessful or least successful and not to stand in 1 place without
any progress. It also removes permanently any sense of guilt (however morality is the crucial factor and it's preserved), any sense of shame and much more: HYPNOTIC SESSION(S). It would skyrocket you're progress,
because you're changing the subconscious patterns of talking, thinking & acting, forever (you start to do things without conscious thought) and I would like to add: you're current programming isn't probably much successful today (if you don't get the desired effects you want in life).
Those things mentioned above – when applied, give about +70% to overall sense of feeling powerful (subconscious programming, which was linked above adds also a sense of
powerful feeling inside of you [you're body] which appears when needed and gives you ability to say, do & think whatever pushes you closer to your goals). To point it in other words:
imagine "blocks" which you've probably had when for the first time approaching a new girl (which you wanted to seduce) – inability to say a word, "emptiness in the head", emotion of fear, or it might be public speaking, driver's licence – new, stressful situations. All that is mostly gone, after 3 months of constant inductions. You do it effortlessly,
however you might be a little bit stressful, because it actually helps you (as you would learn on your example).
…
However it's only the beginning of the journey to power and you may want to know some other crucial rules which wise & powerful men use for their own cause.
Before we start I need to point one important thing:
you're only giving power over yourself to the degree you're accepting it and allowing other people to have on you. To make it simpler, look at this story:
On my neighbor is a person who has over 40 years and was beaten without a reason by people who were much younger than him. They wanted to prove
something to other people and off course they've chosen somebody which allowed them to do so (thinking of the "victim"). The point is that this person allows other to disrespect him. Aggressiveness isn't necessarily a true mark of power, however it is dependable from situation. Why some people, despite they don't have muscles & no "big friends" aren't punished
by others or beaten? The answer is simple: they don't allow to do that for themselves. If they're confronted with the risk – they, by their means – send a message (subconscious) to other people to left them or just leave.
They demand respect and they get it. Even thought, when the people with whom they associate with – aren't the best choice,
they know when to leave or ignore those people. It's consistent with the
GODLIKEISM Dirty little LOA secret (Law of Attraction) law.
In order than the power could work, you must have a thinking of a person who needs to be truly respected, to be counted on & to be powerful, loved (however it's better to be feared than loved; strike what you want: "loved" or "feared") and when the attack on your person appears – you know what to do (necessarily not using muscles, because they're not the answer
– however when attacked physically you've got the right to use
the same method as if you were attacked by to defend yourself; however best is always to escape from this situation) only in a moral sense of way (in the end: only this way [moral] guarantees winning, despite the initial lost).
DEMAND being treated as a king and you would be treated as one. Make a conscious effort to set up your position, however without the usage of argument, but through body language & reactions to the events.
…
- The core of any going into any power is: clear sense of direction, article: GODLIKEISM The hidden 'science' before getting what you want. You need to exactly know what you want to achieve and where you're going for.
However you might not want to reveal you're plans and intentions to anyone (conceal them) until they would find them completed. It's a smart thing to do, because nobody could prepare a defense against you. Besides by revealing you're plans to everyone/some of people you're risking stealing them from you / critic / defenses or even sense of loosing a friend /
insecurity in other people which merely doesn't point out.
You always need to have a plan – a plan on yourself, a plan on you're financial future, a plan on next 5,10,15 years of you're life – a plan on everything – even you need to have a pre-programmed plan when approaching a girl (e.g. through thinking in night & playing a movie – "seeing it as it would be real"), what you would do.
You may find doing it a solution: Test on Life Intelligence (IQ test).
Without a plan or having a clear sense of direction you're floating like a ship on the ocean, inevitably leading yourself to a some degree of life/social/psychical failure. It guaranteed by the Universal Laws set in this Universe. Something would happen [to force you to development] and for sure you don't want that (at first appearance), it's
guaranteed.
MORE.
· GODLIKEISM What is depression? What's the cause, causation
· GODLIKEISM How to higher your "µ" level? How to cure depression in the natural way?
· What is the true source of happiness in life?
- Wise & smart people learn from the mistakes of others, commonly getting the knowledge from those before them (e.g. through books, movies). In order to perform at you're best is for you to gain all the possible knowledge on how to do the best in you're branch or work/job/business and also to attach yourself with highly motivated, highly knowledgeable
people with experience, smarter & probably much wealthier than you – the experts and the sharks in you're industry. Why? To learn & to benefit from them. Lazy/no-knowledgeable environment without passion is the place from which you want to escape. Remember that you need to strike oil only once in order to be rich for the rest of you're lifetime. Also, you
might want to apply to some teachings.
- You're primary goal in life should be to gain as much money as possible to achieve financial independence for a lifetime (meaning you don't ever need to work in your life again (link #x1, link #x2)).
Ability to make money is rather much more crucial than just having them. You know what you're really worth when you loose all and are stripped from everything, being "naked". Would you rebuild in this situation you're wealth & position again? From scratch? It's a very best question to ask on the beginning. If not – you need to deeper you're knowledge to be able
to. It's obvious that it's hard to start, however when the move has been initiated – it's much more easier to continue.
Money puts shadow on your whole life experience. Where, with whom you are & what the kind of life you're getting. It's the only goal you should think of, before getting to the point of financial freedom. However money shouldn't be goal in itself, you should add something valuable to the world we live in, in a hugely moralistic way, because only moral actions
are rewarded by the Universe. E.g. stealing & gaining money by fraud would soon come back and furthermore the money itself would be "contaminated", making it to be spent hugely fast, without the long term effect of happiness of you're work. It also puts all the negative emotions which are associated with the parasitic (not moral) ways of making them, despite the Karma
mechanism would be rapid in 5,10 year time (what you've done to you're fellow men good or bad would come back to you in the form of emotions caused by other people & events).
It doesn't matter would you choose the way of entrepreneur – making you're business, introducing an invention or making a website with Google Adsense that earns $50/day. What counts is the outcome (financial) and the whole happiness that you're achieving by taking advantage of the situation.
In order to perform at you're best you need to stick to the plan & make it until the end.
If you're a man, money plays the single most important role (along with confidence) in the attractiveness through woman.
- Along with the whole process of making yourself independent you should consider building up your muscles, which is associated to going to a gym. Physical exercise would make you feel better (through contribution of ""µ") and as you would build your
body mass, become more respected and feeling much better & confident in your own skin.
Great comparison of how the physical look throws a perspective on somebody's "power" (even subjective) is my example (link #a1, link #a2).
- As an curiosity I would like to point that: pheromones also add up to your overall power, by changing the way people react & perceive you (through subconscious, odorless smell). I for example use pheromax, effects of it include:
Influence (subconscious) on the opposite sex
People within you're are becoming more talkative, social, sometimes even start to flirt (seduce you). You're becoming instantly a person more attractive sexually.
Influence on competition (men)
You're competition treats you with more respect, they seek you're applause. You're becoming a person dominating in the circle.
Influence on your person
You're becoming to feel more energetic, more spontaneous, you're confidence is going up and it has nothing to due with you're actual mood or attitude.
In reality I'm able to tell if a woman is in an ovulation cycle, because she's becoming more receptive & sends body/language signals. She might for example show that she wants you or almost without no defense from her side follow you're suggestions (e.g. in dance touch you intensively, kiss – do far more things that she would allow to do normally to somebody
else who doesn't has this "weapon").
As a tittle-tattle I would add that BT pheromones are proven to intensify twice kissing (for her) [one of the 7 pheromones does it].
- As an obvious thing I should add, that you need to use everyday antiperspirant (for underarm sweating & the non-pleasurable smell associated with them). Perfumes are the one's choice – I for example use them along with the pheromones to mask the odor they've got. I would like to also add that getting ridding of the hair on your dick/vagina and
keeping them bald (eventually a strip in a vagina case) (+ under arms, unnecessary hair, in woman case: legs also [it's wise to go 3-5 times on a laser hair removal, permanent so you don't need to cut the hair ever again, because it would never grow again) is a high-hygiene and a mark of a person which is always respected. You also always need to be tidy, shaved &
clean (& also probably "have a nice smell") in order to influence & persuade others.
One's thing which is common with everybody is to: make other people feel comfortable & best with you're person, not to associate you subconsciously with the non-pleasurable feelings.
…
You should also consider to carry within yourself, everyday (all the time you go out), few things which include:

(not in order)
· wipes, mainly used in the toilet (when you're out) when you do the second thing and you need to sweep up yourself
· pen & peace of paper, although it's used commonly to put something into it, the main purpose of it is to have the ability to put you're draws on the paper which is quietly less comfortable to draw e.g. on phone (when you've got touch screen); ideas go on mobile phone, always (rather);
· durex, I've had an occasion for sex, but girl refused to do without a condom - always carry those with yourself and make sure they're not damaged;
· letherman, is a tool which has the "needed" stuff; make sure it's legal in your country to carry a knife with yourself [!]; it's often used to open a beer (along with lighter) or to fix something;
· lighter, it's useful, you should carry it always within yourself even if you don't smoke (it can allow you to start e.g. a talk with a girl, when she may ask you for a lighter)
· pheromones, pheromax - bt - alchemy (all three); each on special occasion with different effects; it's a bomb
· wallet, having documents always with yourself has some advantages, but it also has got some disadvantages – I've chosen to carry them, because of the comfort; If you're a highly moral person it should be considered as obligatory; Imagine that you need to have some sort of passport/driver license which is needed to "handle" something somewhere,
it's comfortable to carry all within yourself; I've got also in wallet all my credit cards, blood type signature (on passport); bank account number & a plaster + bank account #no.; you should also carry within yourself a business card/s, however yet I still don't have one [!] (and give it to almost everyone to promote yourself, you're services
& the products you sell), however making before sure that somebody is really interested and wants it; it's crucial to have always within yourself some money in cash & also (probably) on credit cards; put 1 part of it in wallet and second part of the cash in other/separate pouch – it's extremely important, because you need to have some
cash in the "secret hiding" over yourself to be sure that in case of robbery / lost wallet (put anything you want) make sure you've got the ability to go out of this situation without a harm (it's also wise to know a mobile number on memory to somebody who may help you in this situation), however it's not enough – you should always be prepared on the worse and
think through what dangers are expected (and not-expected) to prepare on them (or best to: avoid) before they appear; the only process of rethinking it through makes you more confident & prepared on every possible situation;
· mobile phone, it should be "not cheap" to have a look & the presence, min. 1-8gb or "hard drive", equipped with camera + mini-jack, notes & everything which is important (calculator) etc.; besides you should always have money on it to be able to make & receive calls
This part would include some of the characteristics of the powerful
Remember that one's point and meaningful stance could have reversal in some conditions, however those generally apply.
- One of the most important skill in road to power is: control over self emotions. An emotional response to a situation or event could be the single most barrier or a great obstacle into achieving anything. Temporary satisfaction which you could achieve by revealing your emotions is a mistake which would cost you far more than you could even
expect. Emotions cloud reasoning and by being influenced by them you cannot judge & see the situation clearly, loosing some degree of control.
Also by revealing your emotions you are vulnerable to your opponent, which see's clearly what you're up to. The best approach is: Be discreet, think several times before you tell someone something important to anybody. Listen to the news, but react coldly, without emotion, as if you are not affected.
You also can't take anything personally – act like it would not touch you in any way. Whatever anybody thinks, talks & does to you is irrelevant to what you know about yourself (and it can't affect your thinking).
It's also wise to know that you can't mostly repress emotions like anger or love, however you can control the way you're expression of them. They should never influence your strategies & plans in any way. Anger (& love) is one of the most destructive emotions & clouds your vision the most. If you're trying to destroy an enemy that has hurt you – it's far better
to keep him off guard by feigning friendliness that by showing your anger.
Yelling at somebody (as a sign of anger) is weakness of character.
- You're knowing yourself & your standards and plans and you are not making it to the standards & plans of others (e.g. family, friends, other people). You follow you're own path which you have chosen for yourself in which you feel (or know) that is right for you.
However in order to follow your own plans & imaginations – you need to have one prepared by you, for yourself. It's your duty to think everything through and no one would do it for you. Although it isn't easy, especially on the beginning – it's your obligation in order to find happiness in you're life. Remember that the more you're in control – the
more powerful you feel.
MORE.
· How to handle yourself with "what they think" or "shame"?
TIP: It's not an easy thing to do & you for sure would be tempted much, because you've didn't achieved temporary results you wanted to. Although long term outcome may be hugely large in comparison to short term rewards, it's still full of uncertainty & you may not succeed in the end, so people commonly go for the (often) easiest & fastest way,
instead of choosing what is uncertain & what could produce higher returns in the non-specified future (INSTANT GRATIFICATION, issue).
As an example I could give my situation: 2 years spent without a job (for this period of time) which was used to gain the knowledge about the business & to introduce few start-ups (& to learn about private equity funds, all rules about money investing), still without ANY effects. I've put only for a 1/4rd period of this time, notes: SUCCESS STORIES: a global multi-billion (after min. 5-7 years) dollar annum site: having a lot of pressure from the environment (those who fund you: mom), wasted time & lots of "defeats" in the time. Still fighting.
- It's a duty to both: look at those who were past before you and to learn & educate from their experience & mistakes (best to know them personally & to be with them in touch – if it's possible) and secondly: look to the future & present time by
constantly thinking through all the problems & preparing for them before they arise. You shouldn't be never surprised by any circumstance that would arise, because you've prepared for it before & are ready to welcome it. You must imagine all the time all the permutations of the possible problems & circumstances that can affect you. By seeing clearly many steps
ahead (& also the more steps you plan) and knowing what could happen (with preparation on the problems that may arise) you're increasing your power & peace of mind.
- Power requires commonly ability to play with appearances. You need to learn in the whole process of gaining knowledge to wear & use many deceptive tricks on many levels with the prospect in order to persuade & influence. However it shouldn't be considered as ummoral, unless it's moral to the point of not going ahead the line of fraud or with no importance
to the person you're offending (however the line you may go [of what is moral], it's dependable to a situation & circumstances). You need to be aware that all human interactions require the ability to
lie (you don't need to tell everything) & deceive & those who aren't at the top of this game are commonly: powerless. On other hand it doesn't
mean it's unmoral thing to do unless it doesn't go above the set barriers (mentioned before) [you're intentions play major role is it moral or not]. Imagine now that you talk everything you think about other person directly to her eyes & telling all you know and what you know. You would probably earn so much karma debt that you wouldn't repay it for a lifetime & you
would loose all the people you know and might knew. You need to learn on how to conceal your intentions.
You also need to know that you can't mostly succeed unless you would take distanced approach to yourself & your person as a character. You need to use commonly different masks for different people on the different moment they are needed. As an example you won't talk to the hugest client & treat him as you would treat e.g. your mom (or somebody else). Why? Because
different masks & rules of appearance are expected and in order to receive – you must give first.
Playing with appearances & mastering the arts of deception (dealing with people) is the core component in power.
MORE.
· Likeability: how to dramatically make your relations better?
· INFLUENCE On PEOPLE, How to Influence, Affect People
The hugest rule in gaining sympathy is to listen more than you talk (in proportion 2 ears: 1 mouth). Allow or let the other person (by asking questions) to talk & to reveal as much on himself as he delights to.
- Another skill which you should master, is – patience. It's a "supreme virtue of the gods", it's not far much from the truth. Impatience is on other hand – sign of lack of power & weakness. You need to have approach of always being patience, as you know (have the knowledge) that everything will eventually come to you.
Impatience on your side may be (and usually is) the real causation of huge mistakes & bad judgement. Never seem in hurry – hurrying signs a lack of control over yourself and over time.
- Never listen to people on what they speak (or what they're intentions are), but only by the effects of their actions (it's also equal to judge people for their outcome, never by talk).
You need to measure people by results of their moves, the outward circumstances, not the be deluded by anything else.
You must always know that people always build up moral justifications in order to explain themselves from their actions, as it would look they acted from goodness or good will.
MORE.
· How to measure people? (it's a separate topic, however adding knowledge to this point – it's rather with "whom you want to associate & measurements" topic)
- POWERFUL PEOPLE measure & judge everything in terms of what is the real cost of its acquisition. It means: not only the price, but the real cost of attaining it, like: time, nerve, other circumstances, value spent – the real cost. You may perhaps achieve something, but at what price? It's crucial to only select those
things/actions/people which are valuable in terms of real costs (real price) of acquisition which you're paying for and, not engaging in actions which are not worthwhile.
Life is short, opportunities are few and you've got limited energy to spent. Time is a commodity which may need to be used only on the valuable. Never waste time on the affairs of others – it's too high price to pay.
- In order to perform at your best you need to became a master psychologist on studying & seeing other people motives, intentions & what is important for them & how you can get their help and/or cooperation. Never discriminate as to whom you study and whom you trust. Never trust anyone completely and study everyone, including friends and loved ones. Learn the
art of "indirection" and learn on how to use it.
*** TIPS & important knowledge
Those tips might be important & may increase your power when used respectively.
- You're becoming greater & more powerful when you speak less than necessary. Your silence makes other people feel uncomfortable & they're (commonly) subconsciously want to feel the gap between the words, by revealing valuable information & hidden motives & weaknesses.
If you would see it from other point: what the sense of speaking about yourself for more than 1/3rd of your time? You can't learn anything new, you can't make other people talk about themselves – which makes them not like/hate you & very often: to loose their cooperation.
The less you say the more profound & mysterious you become. It drives automatically power, when people start to think about you, because of the lack of information they know about you. It's nearly impossible to get people what you want them to do by only talking to them. You're also reducing drastically the change of saying something foolish or even dangerous, by
talking less.
Keep also in mind, that words are powerful and you cannot take them back once said – keep them under control. Be particularly careful with sarcasm. Make also a habit to never move your lips when you're subordinates do.
- Draw attention to yourself (& your business) by creating an unforgettable even controversial image. Court scandal. It's far much better to be attacked than ignored. Everything is judged by its appearance – what is unseen counts for nothing. The quality of the attention received is non-relevant. What's important is to set your image to a
quality, a characteristics which sets you apart from other people.
You must use all the meanings possible to court attention to you – even talking about things you're not having to do in the future, only to get attention and become visible to others. If you find yourself in a lowly position – idea is to attack publicly the most famous, powerful or visible person a the time.
You may also understand the fact, that: people feel superior to the person who's actions they could predict, so create a air of unpredictability.
Use the aura of mystery by making yourself less obvious to others. People like the unpredictable and mysterious, because they're again – thinking about you, trying to figure out what the next move is and constantly trying to interpret you. By appearing to be mysterious – you're driving to yourself aura of power.
- Learn to get others to work for you and do the work you're inferior or non-knowledgeable and always take the credit. Learn also to take advantage of other people work to further your own cause. By thinking that you're able to do all the work by
yourself you're dooming yourself on ever lasting failure & burning. You need to hire people slowly, but fire fast. It's impossible to achieve anything huge by only working by yourself. You need to use the work of people from the past in order to think clever, even if you are a "clever" borrower.
- Remember that it's nearly impossible to win somebody through argument: action and demonstration are much more powerful. The truth is generally seen, not heard.
Problem with argument is that your opponent might agree with you on the surface, but he would resent you in the inside. Never argue, instead show an example or a live demonstration. It's far more meaningful and is an essence of power.
- Avoid the unhappy and the unlucky, because they would drawn to you their misfortune. They're like an infection, never also listen to others people crying & misfortune & NEVER let them to your life, because by focusing on them (problems & misfortune) – you're drawing it on yourself. NEVER also associate with those who share your defects – they
would reinforce everything which holds you back. Instead create associations with those who share your affinities.
Never open doors to the least of misfortunes, for, if you do – many others would follow. Avoid the agony in another misery...
The people with whom you associate are critical. It's the single most key which may lead to your rise or a downfall in another misery. Avoid at all cost the infectors and remove them from your life, permanently.
- In you way to power you must also learn to make people dependent on you. Remember that person who isn't needed or wanted: dies in the society or is doomed on a prison, mostly. What is lost by killing you? Ask yourself this question. Are you repleceable?
The ultimate power is to make people do as you wish. The best position to achieve this is to create a relationship of dependence. You may want to make other feel weak or inferior without you, making them hard to replace you (or took a lot of time).
Make them dependable on you by theirs happiness & prosperity and you would be the much more powerful, dependable on the amount of people you've gathered.
Example of creating dependence is to posses a talent or a creative skill that simply cannot by replaced. However, in reality: you're not actually indispensable – you're task is to find a way to make it look as if you are.
You may also want to entrench yourself in so many structures that to do away from you would lead to chaos. Also knowing other people's secrets, by holding information they don't want to broadcast – you're making yourself untouchable (and by making sure they're secured & be released e.g. after your death, when betrayed etc.).
Remember also that it's better to be feared than loved. It's far much better to have other dependent of you our of fear of consequences of losing you than out of love of your company.
- In your way to power you would find constantly in the position of asking other people for help. When doing so, never appeal to the mercy or gratitude – always appeal to self-interest of people (when asking for anything). Most people act if their needs would matter to other people – it's a huge mistake. To win the cooperation with people you need
to find their motives & understand their psychology. Is the person vain? Is he concerned about his reputation or his social standing? Does he have enemies you could help him vanquish? Does he needs your valuable knowledge or has a problem with something that you could resolve? What motivates him? Is he simply motivated by money and power?
What is in their interest to promote yours?
- It's critical to crush your enemies completely, leaving them no space to operate. Give them no hope, no maneuver. Remember that we you give your opponent an option: he joins you OR his out of the business. He would regret his actions, because it was his decision that he had done a mistake (which e.g. make him bankrupt). Make sure you always
show the opponent the choice or crush him totally.
- Always mark dumber as you are. People don't like often people who are much smarter than them, so make people feel more sophisticated then you as it would make them feel better for themselves and put their guards down. People will keep you around because they believe they are smarter and more sophisticated than you are and the longer you're around the more
opportunities you get.
Look like a harmless pig and no one will believe you harbor dangerous ambition.
TIP. It appeals to general, but sometimes you want to do the reversal of this stance.
- Ability to concentrate all your forces on a single goal and push at it until it yielded is the most crucial rule of any success. It can only be 1 goal, at a time.
- Make your moves bold, enter action with boldness. Boldness directs attention outward and keeps the illusion alive. It never induces awkwardness or embarrassment. We admire the bold, not the timid.
You're fears of the consequences of a bold action are way out of proportion to reality, and in fact the consequences of the timid are much worse.
- If we believe we are destined for great things, our belief will radiate outward, just as a crown creates an aura around a king. This outward radiance will affect people around us, who will think we must have reasons to feel so confident. People who wear crowns seem to feel no inner sense of the limits to what they can ask for or what they can accomplish. This
too radiates forward. Limits and boundaries disappear. Use the Strategy of the Vrown and you will be surprised how often it bears a fruit.
- In order to gain power, you must be a source of pleasure for those around you – and pleasure comes from playing to people's fantasies. Never promise a gradual improvement through hard work; rather, promise the moon, the great and sudden transformation, the pot of gold. (texts used from, book: "48 Laws of Power" by Robert Greene
On the end, but also important – remember.
There are II rules of success. 1st is to never tell everything. Edit
that go into your personal space (as they can be thief & con artists); when you go abroad make
yourself always a copy of documents & NEVER give them to anybody (even if somebody pretends as
cop), because you may easily lost them
<AndyPSV> http://path-of-power.com/investing-on-the-stock-market-with-warren-buffett-secret,412
<AndyPSV> sorry, I've drank alcohol, so IT WOULD TAKE A WHILE UNTIL I FINISH COMPLETELY IT (this article);
I've made some preparations of the material, so it shouldn't take much;
<AndyPSV> apologize
<AndyPSV> you would need to wait for this article day or more, because I haven't finished yet gaining all the
materials – Andrzej Jeziorski 3 days ago · Reply