Robert Greene Quotes

Always say less than necessary

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.

Seduction is a game of reducing suspicion and resistance. The cleverest way to do this is to make the other person feel stronger, more in control of things.

When our emotions are engaged, we often have trouble seeing things as they are.

Operating with long-term goals will bring you tremendous clarity and resolve.

Create a ladder of values and priorities in your life, reminding yourself of what really matters to you.

Repeated failure will toughen your spirit and show you with absolute clarity how things must be done.

In fact, it is a curse to have everything go right on your first attempt.

You will fail to question the element of luck, making you think that you have the golden touch.

When you do inevitably fail, it will confuse and demoralize you past the point of learning.

The deepest pleasures in life... come from powerful feelings of connection—to our work, to individuals we feel love for, or to a group we are a part of. In such experiences of oneness, we feel taken outside ourselves and more alive.

Strive to be the only one who can do what you do and make the fate of those who hire you so entwined with yours that they cannot possibly get rid of you.

When you look at the exceptionally creative work of Masters, you must not ignore the years of practice, the endless routines, the hours of doubt, and the tenacious overcoming of obstacles these people endured. Creative energy is the fruit of such efforts and nothing else.

What you want is a picture of a person’s character over time. Restrain from the natural tendency to judge right away, and let the passage of time reveal more and more about who people are.

Overt flattery can be effective but has its limits; it is too direct and obvious and looks bad to other courtiers. Discreet flattery, tailored to the insecurities of your target, is much more powerful.

Knowing in a deep way who you are, your uniqueness, will make it that much easier to avoid all of life’s other pitfalls.

Dreaming first of what you want and then trying to find the means to reach it is a recipe for exhaustion, waste, and defeat.

Never discriminate as to whom you study and whom you trust. Never trust anyone completely and study everyone, including friends and loved ones.

Most people don't think they have control over their lives, but they do.