You must seem a paragon of civility and efficiency: Your hands are never soiled by mistakes and nasty deeds.
Greene, Robert. The 48 Laws of Power.
CONCEAL YOUR MISTAKES—HAVE A SCAPEGOAT AROUND TO TAKE THE BLAME
Our good name and reputation depend more on what we conceal than on what we reveal. Everyone makes mistakes, but those who are truly clever manage to hide them, and to make sure someone else is blamed. A convenient scapegoat should always be kept around for such moments.
GREENE, ROBERT. THE 48 LAWS OF POWER.
MAKE USE OF THE CAT’S-PAW
If there is something unpleasant or unpopular that needs to be done, it is far too risky for you to do the work yourself. You need a cat‘s-paw-someone who does the dirty, dangerous work for you. The cat’s-paw grabs what you need, hurts whom you need hurt, and keeps people from noticing that you are the one responsible. Let someone else be the executioner, or the bearer of bad news, while you bring only joy and glad tidings.
GREENE, ROBERT. THE 48 LAWS OF POWER.