Law 5: The 48 Laws of Power in the Sopranos

In this episode, we will evaluate Robert Greene's fifth law of power, "So much depends on reputation - guard it with your life" primarily, though not exclusively through Vito Spatafore. Starting during his stint under Richie Aprile, we will examine how Vito rose up the Aprile crew by building his reputation the right way according to law 5, while also checking out comparisons with, and lessons learned from, its previous capos such as Richie Aprile, Gigi Cestone and Ralph Cifaretto. After that, we will look at Vito's time as a captain, as well as the actions of both Tony Soprano and Phil Leotardo in response, both of whom have their own reputations to worry about.

[@laurenpeterson9510]

Who was that who said free mustache rides?

[@bullywhispers9544]

Kurt Cobain. I imagine other people will probably wonder that too, so Ill pin this post. Thanks for watching!

[@klaatunecktie7906]

@@bullywhispers9544 I friggin knew it

[@monicanunez4568]

Dave Grohl

[@biglou9776]

Trooper Thorny on Super Troopers

[@victorpapillon1487]

@@bullywhispers9544 I think you should do : "Noah Tannenbaum as boss, what if Noah did punch Tony's lights out? " It would be obviously a joke video but done as seriously and analized as deeply as possible, I think it would be insanely funny...

[@mikec42]

So much depends on reputation - Ask your doctor about all possible side effects before taking blood pressure medication.

[@antoniotodaro4093]

Make sure to get a note from him as well

[@thesnailiscoming..5736]

My doctor just prescribed high blood pressure meds. Your saying I shouldn't take it .?

[@keithmichael112]

exactly, that was the only reason he was out greasing peoples unions. he should have got a note from his doctor and showed it to Tony

[@jlemaire9418]

Dude.. omg You win.

[@michaelf.2449]

You laugh but if you do trenbolone you might actually end up gay lmao

[@commissarvigil4806]

I am enjoying this series, Studying the 48 laws is tedious, But much more memorable When put into this format with the Sopranos .

[@norsemanbushcrafting1621]

Ever heard about sun the zoo?

[@commissarvigil4806]

@@norsemanbushcrafting1621 Sun Tzu? Yeah, i havent studied it yet but i listen to it in audiobook form while working out. I should order it physically.

[@norsemanbushcrafting1621]

@@commissarvigil4806 beautifull

[@SuperSpasticNinja]

There's a shortened version available as well, permanently in my bag if I carry one. Can pop it out for a quick read when you're stuck waiting somewhere or whatever TLDR edit: The short version is more concise without the message getting lost.

[@razorhog8]

@Comiszar Vigil A Krieger? Well met battle-brother.

[@originalhgc]

"Don't give me your fuckin' Manson lamps." That's the funniest way for Tony to say, "I'm not falling for your thug act."

[@christinapaterno5585]

This is one of my dads favorite lines from the series

[@slimtig3r755]

As Arnold Rothstein said on Boardwalk Empire: “A reputation takes a lifetime to build and only seconds to destroy.” By the way, I think that Boardwalk Empire is a perfect series to include in both your Robert Greene and Machiavelli Monday series.

[@jordansanchez131]

I think if Vito actually approached Finn and pleaded his case and came clean that he was gay and what would happen if he was found out and how his family would be without him I think Finn would’ve understood. Too bad the macho mafioso mentality killed him in the end.

[@tonythetiger1600]

Yh I think ur right he could have said he'd b killed n finn would have kept quiet but he would still have been seen dancing in the leather daddy gear "what ever happened there" he wasn't being 2 careful doing gay stuff on the building site imho he'd have been outed any way . I loved him like a brother in-law 😢

[@ianwilson4483]

If I were one of the two guys who caught him at the bar I would have blackmailed him. I would have extorted him. Give me X amount of dollars every month and I won’t say a word.

[@1coolblast422]

Vito should have killed Finn and the security guy immediately and discreetly.

[@mitchbaker5995]

@@ianwilson4483 that's how you have a "accident"

[@hounddog3476]

Meh being a homosexual is a red flag. Poopy man love is gross.

[@slicktrick9640]

Bully keeping the sopranos alive. Keep up the good work my friend.

[@loganerb3952]

0:55 I wasn’t expecting that South Park reference and it got me good 😂

[@andylymbo]

I'm gonna just start leaving random comments to boost engagement cause these are all so good. I've been watching since near the start and it's honestly just gotten better each video. Really can tell you're hitting your stride.

[@FlippersTF2]

It’s too bad Gigi forgot law 49: eat a balanced diet with enough fiber and don’t strain on the toilet.

[@repunched106]

I struggle w that myself 😢

[@genesankin]

Would not have helped. If you have a strong genetic predisposition for heart disease-you're doomed...Unless you try to live a very healthy lifestyle...which these guys obviously do not.

[@razorhog8]

I gotta say I love the quick bits you put in there like "the non-lethal ship had officially sailed - final notice time." Great dry humor. Deserves way more subs and views. The Morgan Freeman voice over in the Meadow episode was like a work of Sun Tizooo!

[@miaouew]

I love how Little Carmine references this book several times in the show (albeit referenced very poorly..it is little carmine after all) he is the EXACT type of person to read such a piece of literature and take it completely seriously.

[@jesterssketchbook]

such a good lense thru which to analyse the series - i love that book - reminds me of Son Tah-Zoo

[@CalmSounds996]

I knew that was coming

[@MAJALIJU]

Loving this series man! One of the greatest books ever written -- it's amazing to see it compared to another masterpiece in the Sopranos. Please create a playlist aggregating all these videos as well! Thanks for what you're doing brother

[@aaronrowell6943]

Two things in this world you can lose and never get back Your life and your good name Someone told me that and it definitely applies here

[@RogueBoyScout]

Of course you can get back your "good name" How many fucking sickos and criminal celebrities all of a sudden get back their reputation by "finding god", or donating a fuck tonne of money, or just get moved from one business to another... People have a memory span of full on dementia when it comes to reputations. And nowadays, you don't even need a good name. You can attract a following of sycophants by being successfully bad.. how many parasites getting that sweet sweet lecture and public speaking circuit.

[@aaronrowell6943]

@@RogueBoyScout So OJ Simpson, Kanye, and Bill Cosby did nothing wrong right? not saying they did, and at this point it doesn't matter as they might still have their fans they are not what they once were. Darn listed nothing but black people XD Okay, Harvety Weinstein, Jeffery Epstein, and Bill Clinton don't exactly have the most spotless reputations either

[@blitzkrieg2928]

My estimation of Vito Spatafore as a man just fucking plummeted.

[@jesterssketchbook]

so did he, for the union guy

[@moezak6497]

It was a joke!

[@LEARSIKCIGAM]

the first 6 months at a job are key, how people see you after that will change very little

[@richardeicholtz4868]

That shot of Paulie in the elevator after giving the money for me was one of the funniest scenes in the entire show.

[@p.i.staker5153]

Fantastic series mate thank you for doing these 👍 I'm a big fan of the 48 Laws of Power and seeing them put into a more familiar and practical context (I know it's a fictional show lol) is great.

[@ADAPTATION7]

Vito manifests out of thin air is a contradiction of terms.

[@tonythetiger1600]

Vito apperd out of fat air , he was a come from behind kinda guy pmslmao

[@dondajulah4168]

I enhance my rep by always blasting #upindaclub in my ride

[@williamking1905]

Vito was a good earner. Money comes before reputation.

[@vitigaymer1053]

Not according to Phil

[@gregoryporch8395]

A large stream of money makes your reputation "wealthy"

[@InsaneCopePosse]

​@@vitigaymer1053and look what happened to phil

[@jaycee330]

I'll never stop giggling when I hear "Benny Fazio, Criminal Mastermind".

[@dondajulah4168]

Johnny Cakes stepped into Vito's breach, if that's what we're talking about

[@danielfreeley5217]

this series is wild! Love it!

[@Reathety]

These videos are really great.

[@eastside2473]

That pic of Vito never gets old

[@Nobody-so9sh]

Nice, these are so well done. Carmine next? All right then I’ll talk to ya.

[@FloydofOz]

6:30 haaooooo?!?! Did you say The Shaw of Iran may have been a fanook with Vito??? I’ve never heard that theory.

[@daviddanielsson3643]

I know Vito's reputation was impacted, if that's what you're reffering to?

[@davee.dangerously9409]

Benny Fazio, criminal mastermind, seems to have picked up the manifestation trick somewhere along the way and used it to corner him at the beach house. 😂 Brilliant mate.

[@swampduck2609]

I never thought Phil was like that because he had a relationship with Vito, I always suspected it was because of something that happened during his 20 fuckin years in the can. Is there anything I missed that implies it was because he and Vito did something?

[@MrBmick79]

I was thinking the same thing when he mentioned that

[@swampduck2609]

@@MrBmick79 maybe he was the one who did something, he had to compromise remember

[@gregoryporch8395]

Phil and Vito sharing a closet is a fan theory but it's not very believable. I'd say you're right on the first count. 20 fucking years is a long time to have "jacked off in a tissue" & Phil just dealt with his own shame from his unmentioned escapades by killing Vito.

[@philipaizensteincohn1895]

Great show!!!

[@luvbig41]

"He's a come from behind kinda guy".......LMAO!!!!!

[@danielfreeley5217]

RIP to the Jersey Crews most fabulous capo. He's fightin fires in heaven with Johnny Cakes now

[@budwhite9591]

I don’t see the big deal. He’s one of my top earners. There’s pillow biters in the green berets.

[@SuperSpasticNinja]

That thumbnail... Lmfao. Nice work bro

[@KwangTheMongrel]

Another good one.

[@TimParker-Chambers]

6:30 Going by the mise-en-scene, it is no mere speculation: Phil literally *was in the closet* before coming out of it... That Vito was gagged, meant he couldn't reveal it under the upcoming torture, so it wasn't an in-universe coming out of the closet in front of Phil's thugs, but it absolutely *was* a 'this is the answer if you can work it out' message for the audience 👍👍👍👍

[@calebmarek]

Damnit. When you said we are going far back I thought for sure that meant to when Gino was still Gino.

[@SteadyRoosevelt]

I always wondered how tf Jackie Jr didn't see the beached whale Vito before he walked behind him and killed him

[@erickennedy3322]

Because Vito was comeback behind of guy . That why he did not see Vito.

[@trevoravery9270]

apparently its to show just how inept Jackie Jr is.

[@woahblackbettybamalam]

He slid on the ice like a walrus

[@SteadyRoosevelt]

@@woahblackbettybamalam 🤣

[@SteadyRoosevelt]

@@trevoravery9270 "kid was always an idiot... Didn't he almost drown in 2 inches of water?"

[@h.rutten2187]

Funny I new there was this inconsistency with him showing up as a random stranger in the bakery. I know there are more but still my favorite series and top actor James Galdolfini.

[@leveluppupgaming7207]

Wow, I knew it was Vito who came in for bread when Kris shot the baker, but I didn't know he built beansies ramp. That makes the scene where he's struggling to get through the work day make less sense if he used to be an actual contractor and construction worker

[@PJJ196]

What are you talking about.. Vito’s rep was ruined when sal from Yonkers saw him in the club with his friend.. Finn just confirmed it as an outside source

[@aguy559]

The best way to be well thought of is to not be concerned with what others think of you.

[@johngear1415]

Vito being caught was really unrealistic as he would know collections get made there and would never go there for the reason of being seen.

[@willpicou9828]

Well he also knew guys may come to the work site early but was still blowing a guy. It sounds like that pills killed all the caution he had

[@pluto-9047]

Tony not wanting to off Vito wasn't because he was a top earner but because HBO didn't need Mel Gibson's Braveheart troubles. So to safely kill a ghay man they needed him to do something heinous like shooting an innocent civilian in the back of the head, not only that the guys that whacked Vito died in gruesome ways as punishment for homo0ph0bia.

[@pluto-9047]

tj, yoor kumment waz hidden by yootoob mafia nobuddi kan sea itt!

[@marcprimo1471]

Vito was never a random customer in the Bakery. that was another character called Gino. same actor.

[@challengerstrength]

So much depends on your reputation, especially when it’s bat night!

[@Mostopinionatedmanofalltime]

The most important law is this. Don't forget your shinebox.

[@ivanvelazquez1783]

8:01 perfect pause moment 🤣

[@heavymetal3122]

KEEP GOING

[@bullywhispers9544]

Next one should be out Monday

[@barrycollins795]

6:29 can you elaborate on that? I’ve never heard of the theory about Phil and Vito having a sexual relationship ?

[@DynastyLuminous46]

The channel "Sopranos Theory" has a vid on it.

[@Onlocationtours]

Come check out our Sopranos Sites Tour and our wide variety of other tours!

[@mannymath5643]

Vito was a come-from-behind kinda guy.

[@seltonk5136]

I still don't understand the timeline. He gets caught by finn then gets caught in the leather club, or vice versa

[@bullywhispers9544]

Caught by Finn, then nightclub, then Finn's story comes out. Thanks for watching!

[@PharoahJohnPhoenix]

Yea the Finn thing happened but Meadow was the only one who knew about it until Vito got outed.

[@smacwhinnie]

But Meadow's roommate wasn't gay. "You're not?"

[@TheMisterGuy]

...who worked his up from contractor to capo (he's a come from behind kinda guy!), until his reputation was ruined when Finn confirmed some uncomfortable realities about him (he's a come from behind kinda guy!)...

[@cultivatedmind8352]

Manson lamps :)

[@VampireNewl]

I don't know I've heard this Bully Whispers guy is into Vito for a lot of money, might be lying about Vito

[@PiffFighting]

Weren’t the guy in the bakery called Gino

[@trevoravery9270]

Same actor, different characters.

[@heavymetal3122]

Frankly, I'm depressed and ashamed

[@zacharydavidpoornoy7820]

Why didn't Vito wack Finn before he told on him

[@BigA678]

“Don’t care about what others say about you” so they say

[@dovrose5155]

Isn't Vito Richie nephew?

[@hectorbustamante8310]

While Tony was in a coma, Who do you think was keeping Carmella in Butter Brickle?!?

[@jackfiguly6112]

6:32 someone explain the "sexual relationship" vito and phil. first time ever hearing this

[@woahblackbettybamalam]

Bully is just projecting his gay fantasy

[@jacoblee5589]

fuckin love this

[@jsldj]

"Do we really have to see Vito take it up the azz?"

[@namenotfound8747]

But what if I can get a note from my doctor?

[@A-RJ]

AIDS??

[@jfdesignsinc.innovationsid1583]

dang bro you said a whole lot here without sayin much if you know what i mean

[@keithharper1470]

Phil damaged his own reputation by killing Vito, Phil broke a major rule he killed a made guy who wasn't in his family that's why he couldn't brag about it. You can't talk about being old school and abiding by the rules if you're breaking major ones.

[@trevoravery9270]

Hypocrisy only applies to the "little people".

[@AY-qy4jn]

Vito was his brother in law so he took it personally

[@mr.t658]

He was right when he killed him

[@willpicou9828]

I doubt anyone in that life cared about it at all. If anyone’s rep got hurt by it it was tony. It was a bad look for a guy outside the nj family to take care of it.

[@gregoryporch8395]

When you break rules in a power grab it's still a power grab.

[@alyssarichardson2544]

0:57 omg, this was used perfectly. Peace from Australia x

[@TimParker-Chambers]

0:36 🥴🥴🥴🥴🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@gon3302]

These “laws of power” seem like they’d be great for sociopaths which this show is full of so seems legit.

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

Aren't you the Professional too?

[@TheStrategos392]

How the hell didn’t Vito know that the gay club he was in wasn’t mob controlled?

[@trevoravery9270]

Could be under "new" management. It 'was' a safe place for Vito to go, then new "owners" cam in. They dont exactly advertise their "business holdings".

[@ryeguy7471]

Not ONE of these concepts ever made the world a better place. Too many wannabe sociopaths.

[@starguy2718]

Vito was a come-from-behind kind of guy. Phil came out of the closet, to whack him.

[@hi0u91e9]

Wait, a theorised sexual relationship between Vito and Phil???

[@ramoneescobedo5820]

Untrue. It was a fucken joke! He can get a note from his doctor to prove it

[@michaeldiekmann6494]

Richie died because he hit Janice. Her fucking temper.....

[@murraykelm5691]

Just ask Mike Tyson

[@motionpictureplus]

Vito became annoying in season 6 by the coma episodes. He’s best in season 5 at the construction site, huge and fat and menacing with his John Wayne Gacy demeanor

[@o.j7408]

What? Vito was gay?

[@AndThePartner]

First!

[@TheLoyalOfficer]

Vito and Phil were never gay with each other. Come on.

[@trevoravery9270]

Phil LITERALLY comes out of the closest in the scene where they kill Vito, and made sure his mouth was duct taped so he wouldn't blab on his death bed.

[@Paddyt986]

I dunno. Vito was so big, two guys could fuck him and never meet. His blood type was Ragoo !

[@hirkballs]

Richie didn't know the "don't hit a crazy bitch" law of power.

[@LEARSIKCIGAM]

the first 6 months at a job are key, how people see you after that will change very little