The 48 Laws of Power is a true work of art, presenting the philosophies to some of the greatest thinkers in our history. From Sun-Tzu to Queen Elizabeth I and Henry Kissinger; Robert Greene presents the ultimate guide to gaining control and power. Here is a look at some of the most memorable quotes from ‘The 48 Laws of Power.’
“A Prince asked the dying spanish statesman, “Does your Excellency forgive all your enemies?” “I do not have to forgive all my enemies,” answered the stateman, “I have had them all shot.”
“All masters want to appear more brilliant than other people.”
“An emotional response to a situation is the single greatest barrier to power, a mistake that will cost you a lot more than any temporary satisfaction you might gain by expressing your feelings.”
“Any man who tries to be good all the time is bound to come to ruin among the great number who are not good.”
“Appearing better than others is always dangerous, but most dangerous of all is to appear to have no faults or weaknesses. Envy creates silent enemies. It is smart to occasionally display defects, and admit to harmless vices, in order to deflect envy and appear more human and approachable. Only gods and the dead can seem perfect with impunity.”
“But the human tongue is a beast that few can master. It strains constantly to break out of its cage, and if it is not tamed, it will run wild and cause you grief. Power cannot accrue to those who squander their treasure of words.”
“Despise The Free Lunch.”
“Do not accept the roles that society foists on you. Re-create yourself by forging a new identity, one that commands attention and never bores the audience. Be the master of your own image rather than letting others define if for you. Incorporate dramatic devices into your public gestures and actions – your power will be enhanced and your character will seem larger than life.”
Congrats to my friend CJ on an amazing year and to all of the Broncos. See you @ the Super Bowl! pic.twitter.com/Ex3CO3IZGM
— Robert Greene (@RobertGreene) January 25, 2016
“Do not leave your reputation to chance or gossip; it is your life’s artwork, and you must craft it, hone it, and display it with the care of an artist.”
“Fools say that they learn by experience. I prefer to profit by others’ experience.”
“He who poses as a fool is not a fool.”
“Hide your intentions not by closing up (with the risk of appearing secretive, and making people suspicious) but by talking endlessly about your desires and goals-just not the real ones.”
“If you are unsure of a course of action, do not attempt it. Your doubts and hesitations will infect your execution. Timidity is dangerous: Better to enter with boldness. Any mistakes you commit through audacity are easily corrected with more audacity. Everyone admires the bold; no one honors the timid.”
“If you lead the sucker down a familiar path, he won’t catch on when you lead him into a trap.”
“If you make a show of going against the times, flaunting your unconventional ideas and unorthodox ways, people will think that you only want attention and that you look down upon them. They will find a way to punish you for making them feel inferior. It is far safer to blend in and nurture the common touch. Share your originality only with tolerant friends and those who are sure to appreciate your uniqueness.”
“If, for example, you are miserly by nature, you will never go beyond a certain limit; only generous souls attain greatness.”
“Keep your friends for friendship, but work with the skilled and competent.”
Had a great time chatting with @Drake last night pic.twitter.com/4SyUAcWr8p
— Robert Greene (@RobertGreene) November 10, 2015
“Little about your work, tease and titillate with alluring, even contradictory comments, then stand back and let others try to make sense of it all.”
“Lord, protect me from my friends; I can take care of my enemies.”
“Many a serious thinker has been produced in prisons, where we have nothing to do but think.”
“Never be distracted by people’s glamorous portraits of themselves and their lives; search and dig for what really imprisons them.”
“Never waste valuable time, or mental peace of mind, on the affairs of others—that is too high a price to pay.”
“Person who cannot control his words shows that he cannot control himself, and is unworthy of respect.”
“Power is a game, and in games you do not judge your opponents by their intentions but by the effects of their actions.”
“Sometimes any emotion is better than the boredom of security.”
“The human tongue is a beast that few can master.”
Law 4: Always Say Less Than Necessary pic.twitter.com/RwVetDuYxo
— Robert Greene (@RobertGreene) October 27, 2014
“The key to power, then, is the ability to judge who is best able to further your interests in all situations. Keep friends for friendship, but work with the skilled and competent.”
“The mighty lion toys with the mouse that crosses his path—any other reaction would mar his fearsome reputation.”
“There is nothing more intoxicating than victory, and nothing more dangerous.”
“When you are trying to impress people with words, the more you say, the more common you appear, and the less in control. Even if you are saying something banal, it will seem original if you make it vague, open-ended, and sphinxlike. Powerful people impress and intimidate by saying less. The more you say, the more likely you are to say something foolish.”
“When you meet a swordsman, draw your sword: Do not recite poetry to one who is not a poet.”
“When you show yourself to the world and display your talents, you naturally stir all kinds of resentment, envy, and other manifestations of insecurity… you cannot spend your life worrying about the petty feelings of others.”
“You cannot repress anger or love, or avoid feeling them, and you should not try.”
“You choose to let things bother you. You can just as easily choose not to notice the irritating offender, to consider the matter trivial and unworthy of your interest. That is the powerful move. What you do not react to cannot drag you down in a futile engagement. Your pride is not involved. The best lesson you can teach an irritating gnat is to consign it to oblivion by ignoring it.”
Robert Green reviews the 48 laws of power and what lays between the lines. These secrets to power outline what it is like to achieve true success and control of your life.
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