782 Quotes by Robert Greene

Cultures have norms that reflect centuries of shared beliefs and ideals. Do not expect to scoff at such things with impunity. You will be punished somehow, even if just through isolation — a position of real powerlessness.

Sadness of any sort is also seductive, particularly if it seems deep-rooted, even spiritual, rather than needy or pathetic—it makes people come to you.

You must always be prepared to place a bet on yourself, on your future, by heading in a direction that others seem to fear.

It is in fact the height of selfishness to merely consume what others create and to retreat into a shell of limited goals and immediate pleasures.

... it is far easier to avoid creating envy in the first place than to get rid of it once it is there, ...

Once envy reveals itself for what it is, the only solution is often to flee the presence of the enviers, leaving them to stew in a hell of their own creation.

Destroy the weeds of envy by giving them nothing to feed on.

One of Cosimo's favorite expressions was, "Envy is weed that should not be watered.

It is often your own actions that stir up envy, your own unawareness. By becoming conscious of those actions and qualities that create envy, you can take the teeth out of it before it nibbles you to death.