782 Quotes by Robert Greene

To Sun-tzu and the ancient Chinese, doing something extraordinary had little effect without a setup of something ordinary. You had to mix the two - to fix your opponent's expectations with some banal, ordinary maneuver, a comfortable pattern that they would then expect you to follow.

Pool, it became clear to me, is all about angles. First, there are simple angles, as you must hit the cue ball to either side when you are not straight on.

Ethics and power are separate.

People expect your behavior to conform to known patterns and conventions. Your task as a strategist is to upset their expectations.

In any court-like environment of power, you will inevitably find people who are drawn to those who are successful or powerful, not out of admiration, but out of secret envy.

When I say 'Crush your enemy', I don't literally mean it.

As social animals we humans are very sensitive to our rank and position within any group. We can measure our status by the attention and respect we receive.

The only way to survive is to admit you are on your own, learn to make your own decisions, and trust your judgement.

Sexuality is extremely disruptive. The insecurities and emotions it stirs up can often cut short a relationship that would otherwise be deeper and longer lasting.