Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

99 Top Robert Greene Quotes From His Works

Famous As: Writer, Playwright
Born On: May 14, 1959
Born In: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Age: 63 Years
Robert Greene is an American author, famous for his writings on the genres of strategy, power and seduction. He has admitted to have served approximately at eighty jobs, right from a construction worker to a Hollywood movie writer. before pursuing a full-time career in writing. While working as a writer at Fabrica he pitched his first book to a publisher to turn it into his debut book titled ‘The 48 Laws of Power’. This book aims to become a practical guide for people trying to acquire power or defending themselves from a powerful person. His mentioned rules have been drawn from a deep study of the life of powerful rulers. This book turned out to be a commercial success and it sold more than 1.2 million copies to prove his prominence as a writer. This was followed by various other successful books including ‘The Art of Seduction’ and ‘Mastery’. Robert has proved to be a versatile writer as he has never stuck to any one genre while portraying equal intellect in all the genres. A lot of his perspectives and views have become quite famous as his quotes and thoughts and is quoted extensively. We have collected the famous quotes and sayings by Robert Greene to help you see life through his perspective.
Keep your friends for friendship, but work with the skilled and competent

Keep your friends for friendship, but work with the skilled and competent

Robert Greene
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.

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.

Robert Greene
Many a serious thinker has been produced in prisons, where we have nothing to do but think.

Many a serious thinker has been produced in prisons, where we have nothing to do but think.

Robert Greene
There is nothing more intoxicating than victory, and nothing more dangerous.

There is nothing more intoxicating than victory, and nothing more dangerous.

Robert Greene
...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 tun wild and cause you grief.

...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 tun wild and cause you grief.

Robert Greene
Lord, protect me from my friends; I can take care of my enemies.

Lord, protect me from my friends; I can take care of my enemies.

Robert Greene
Strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter

Strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter

Robert Greene
Never waste valuable time, or mental peace of mind, on the affairs of others—that is too high a price to pay.

Never waste valuable time, or mental peace of mind, on the affairs of others—that is too high a price to pay.

Robert Greene
For the future, the motto is,

For the future, the motto is, "No days unalert.

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

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

Robert Greene
Despise The Free Lunch

Despise The Free Lunch

Robert Greene
Sweet are the thoughts that savour of content, The quiet mind is richer than a crown...

Sweet are the thoughts that savour of content, The quiet mind is richer than a crown...

Robert Greene
A Prince asked the dying spanish statesman,

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.

Robert Greene
People are more complicated than the masks they wear in society.

People are more complicated than the masks they wear in society.

Robert Greene
Be Royal in your Own Fashion: Act like a King to be treated

Be Royal in your Own Fashion: Act like a King to be treated

Robert Greene
12--Lose Battles, But Win The War: Grand Strategy

Grand strategy is the art of looking beyond the present battle and calculating ahead. Focus on your ultimate goal and plot to reach it.

12--Lose Battles, But Win The War: Grand Strategy Grand strategy is the art of looking beyond the present battle and calculating ahead. Focus on your ultimate goal and plot to reach it.

Robert Greene
The future belongs to those who learn more skills and combine them in creative ways.

The future belongs to those who learn more skills and combine them in creative ways.

Robert Greene
No one is really going to help you or give you direction. In fact, the odds are against you.

No one is really going to help you or give you direction. In fact, the odds are against you.

Robert Greene
Never whine, never complain, never try to justify yourself.

Never whine, never complain, never try to justify yourself.

Robert Greene
Person who cannot control his words shows that he cannot control himself, and is unworthy of respect.

Person who cannot control his words shows that he cannot control himself, and is unworthy of respect.

Robert Greene
The time that leads to mastery is dependent on the intensity of our focus.

The time that leads to mastery is dependent on the intensity of our focus.

Robert Greene
Nothing is stable in the realm of power, and even closest of friends can be transformed into the worst of enemies.

Nothing is stable in the realm of power, and even closest of friends can be transformed into the worst of enemies.

Robert Greene
The human tongue is a beast that few can master.

The human tongue is a beast that few can master.

Robert Greene
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 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.

Robert Greene
Friendship and love blind every man to their interests.

Friendship and love blind every man to their interests.

Robert Greene
Do not fight them. Instead think of them the way you think of children, or pets, not important enough to affect your mental balance

Do not fight them. Instead think of them the way you think of children, or pets, not important enough to affect your mental balance

Robert Greene
Your fears are a kind of prison that confines you within a limited range of action. The less you fear, the more power you will have and the more fully you will live.

Your fears are a kind of prison that confines you within a limited range of action. The less you fear, the more power you will have and the more fully you will live.

Robert Greene
The passive ironic attitude is not cool or romantic, but pathetic and destructive.

The passive ironic attitude is not cool or romantic, but pathetic and destructive.

Robert Greene
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.

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.

Robert Greene
All masters want to appear more brilliant than other people.

All masters want to appear more brilliant than other people.

Robert Greene
When you meet a swordsman, draw your sword: Do not recite poetry to one who is not a poet.

When you meet a swordsman, draw your sword: Do not recite poetry to one who is not a poet.

Robert Greene
Never be distracted by people’s glamorous portraits of themselves and their lives; search and dig for what really imprisons them.

Never be distracted by people’s glamorous portraits of themselves and their lives; search and dig for what really imprisons them.

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

Robert Greene
Any titles, money, or privilege you inherit are actually hindrances. They delude you into believing you are owed respect.

Any titles, money, or privilege you inherit are actually hindrances. They delude you into believing you are owed respect.

Robert Greene
He who poses as a fool is not a fool.

He who poses as a fool is not a fool.

Robert Greene
Become who you are by learning who you are.

Become who you are by learning who you are.

Robert Greene
If, for example, you are miserly by nature, you will never go beyond a certain limit; only generous souls attain greatness.

If, for example, you are miserly by nature, you will never go beyond a certain limit; only generous souls attain greatness.

Robert Greene
There is too little mystery in the world; too many people say exactly what they feel or want.

There is too little mystery in the world; too many people say exactly what they feel or want.

Robert Greene
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.

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.

Robert Greene
Our natural tendency is to project onto other people our own belief and value systems, in ways in which we are not even aware.

Our natural tendency is to project onto other people our own belief and value systems, in ways in which we are not even aware.

Robert Greene
Events in life mean nothing if you do not reflect on them in a deep way, and ideas from books are pointless if they have no application to life as you live it.

Events in life mean nothing if you do not reflect on them in a deep way, and ideas from books are pointless if they have no application to life as you live it.

Robert Greene
Fools say that they learn by experience. I prefer to profit by others’ experience.

Fools say that they learn by experience. I prefer to profit by others’ experience.

Robert Greene
You may think that what you’d like to recapture from your youth is your looks, your physical fitness, your simple pleasures, but what you really need is the fluidity of mind you once possessed.

You may think that what you’d like to recapture from your youth is your looks, your physical fitness, your simple pleasures, but what you really need is the fluidity of mind you once possessed.

Robert Greene
Religion is the great balm of existence because it takes us outside ourselves, connects us to something larger

Religion is the great balm of existence because it takes us outside ourselves, connects us to something larger

Robert Greene
The problem is that we humans are deep conformists.

The problem is that we humans are deep conformists.

Robert Greene
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.

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.

Robert Greene
Actually, your past successes are your biggest obstacle: every battle, every war, is different, and you cannot assume that what worked before will work today.

Actually, your past successes are your biggest obstacle: every battle, every war, is different, and you cannot assume that what worked before will work today.

Robert Greene
It is your own bad strategies, not the unfair opponent, that are to blame for your failures. You are responsible for the good and bad in your life.

It is your own bad strategies, not the unfair opponent, that are to blame for your failures. You are responsible for the good and bad in your life.

Robert Greene
Who can you trust?

Who can you trust?

Robert Greene
The truth is that creative activity is one that involves the entire self - our emotions, our levels of energy, our characters, and our minds.

The truth is that creative activity is one that involves the entire self - our emotions, our levels of energy, our characters, and our minds.

Robert Greene
Real action and true helpfulness are perhaps the ultimate charm.

Real action and true helpfulness are perhaps the ultimate charm.

Robert Greene
When you turn your back on someone, they come running after you.

When you turn your back on someone, they come running after you.

Robert Greene
The real poetry and beauty in life comes from an intense relationship with reality in all its aspects. Realism is in fact the ideal we must aspire to, the highest point of human rationality.

The real poetry and beauty in life comes from an intense relationship with reality in all its aspects. Realism is in fact the ideal we must aspire to, the highest point of human rationality.

Robert Greene
You must understand the following: In order to master a field, you must love the subject and feel a profound connection to it. Your interest must transcend the field itself and border on the religious.

You must understand the following: In order to master a field, you must love the subject and feel a profound connection to it. Your interest must transcend the field itself and border on the religious.

Robert Greene
It is time to reverse this prejudice against conscious effort and to see the powers we gain through practice and discipline as eminently inspiring and even miraculous.

It is time to reverse this prejudice against conscious effort and to see the powers we gain through practice and discipline as eminently inspiring and even miraculous.

Robert Greene
Through continual exposure to people and by attempting to think inside of them we can gain an increasing sense of their perspective, but this requires effort on our part.

Through continual exposure to people and by attempting to think inside of them we can gain an increasing sense of their perspective, but this requires effort on our part.

Robert Greene
Sometimes any emotion is better than the boredom of security.

Sometimes any emotion is better than the boredom of security.

Robert Greene
Any man who tries to be good all the time is bound to come to ruin among the great number who are not good.

Any man who tries to be good all the time is bound to come to ruin among the great number who are not good.

Robert Greene
When the snipe and the mussel struggle, the fisherman gets the benefit. Ancient Chinese saying

When the snipe and the mussel struggle, the fisherman gets the benefit. Ancient Chinese saying

Robert Greene
If you lead the sucker down a familiar path, he won't catch on when you lead him into a trap.

If you lead the sucker down a familiar path, he won't catch on when you lead him into a trap.

Robert Greene
Our successes and failures in life can be traced to how well or how badly we deal with the inevitable conflicts that confront us in society.

Our successes and failures in life can be traced to how well or how badly we deal with the inevitable conflicts that confront us in society.

Robert Greene
Everything that happens to you is a form of instruction if you pay attention.

Everything that happens to you is a form of instruction if you pay attention.

Robert Greene
If no resistances or obstacles face you, you must create them. No seduction can proceed without them.

If no resistances or obstacles face you, you must create them. No seduction can proceed without them.

Robert Greene
The mighty lion toys with the mouse that crosses his path—any other reaction would mar his fearsome reputation.

The mighty lion toys with the mouse that crosses his path—any other reaction would mar his fearsome reputation.

Robert Greene
Never take your position for granted and never let any favors you receive go to your head.

Never take your position for granted and never let any favors you receive go to your head.

Robert Greene
Such is the fate, in some form or other, of all those who unbalance the master’s sense of self, poke holes in his vanity, or make him doubt his pre-eminence.

Such is the fate, in some form or other, of all those who unbalance the master’s sense of self, poke holes in his vanity, or make him doubt his pre-eminence.

Robert Greene
Fear creates its own self-fulfilling dynamic- as people give into it, they lose energy and momentum. Their lack of confidence translates into inaction that lowers confidence levels even further, on and on.

Fear creates its own self-fulfilling dynamic- as people give into it, they lose energy and momentum. Their lack of confidence translates into inaction that lowers confidence levels even further, on and on.

Robert Greene
You cannot repress anger or love, or avoid feeling them, and you should not try.

You cannot repress anger or love, or avoid feeling them, and you should not try.

Robert Greene
Power is a game, and in games you do not judge your opponents by their intentions but by the effects of their actions.

Power is a game, and in games you do not judge your opponents by their intentions but by the effects of their actions.

Robert Greene
Never argue. In society nothing must be discussed; give only results. (Benjamin Disraeli, 1804–1881)

Never argue. In society nothing must be discussed; give only results. (Benjamin Disraeli, 1804–1881)

Robert Greene
As Gracián said, “The truth is generally seen, rarely heard.

As Gracián said, “The truth is generally seen, rarely heard.

Robert Greene
If you allow yourself to learn who you really are by paying attention to that voice and force within you, then you can become what you were fated to become—an individual, a Master.

If you allow yourself to learn who you really are by paying attention to that voice and force within you, then you can become what you were fated to become—an individual, a Master.

Robert Greene
For what the leaders are, that, as a rule, will the men below them be. —Xenophon (430?–355? B.C.)

For what the leaders are, that, as a rule, will the men below them be. —Xenophon (430?–355? B.C.)

Robert Greene
Creative Endeavors are by their nature uncertain.

Creative Endeavors are by their nature uncertain.

Robert Greene
The only means to gain one’s ends with people are force and cunning. Love also, they say; but that is to wait for sunshine, and life needs every moment. JOHANN VON GOETHE, 1749-1832

The only means to gain one’s ends with people are force and cunning. Love also, they say; but that is to wait for sunshine, and life needs every moment. JOHANN VON GOETHE, 1749-1832

Robert Greene
The people with money were meddling in mechanical and design affairs. They were interjecting their mediocre ideas into the process and polluting it.

The people with money were meddling in mechanical and design affairs. They were interjecting their mediocre ideas into the process and polluting it.

Robert Greene
It is not much good being wise among fools and sane among lunatics.

It is not much good being wise among fools and sane among lunatics.

Robert Greene
Power rarely ends up in the hands of those who start a revolution, or even those who further it; power sticks to those who bring it to a conclusion

Power rarely ends up in the hands of those who start a revolution, or even those who further it; power sticks to those who bring it to a conclusion

Robert Greene
In the end, the money and success that truly last come not to those who focus on such things as goals, but rather to those who focus on mastery and fulfilling their Life’s Task.

In the end, the money and success that truly last come not to those who focus on such things as goals, but rather to those who focus on mastery and fulfilling their Life’s Task.

Robert Greene
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.

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.

Robert Greene
Do not think that what is hard for you to master is humanly impossible; and if it is humanly possible, consider it to be within your reach. —MARCUS AURELIUS

Do not think that what is hard for you to master is humanly impossible; and if it is humanly possible, consider it to be within your reach. —MARCUS AURELIUS

Robert Greene
Everyone admires the bold; no one honors the timid.

Everyone admires the bold; no one honors the timid.

Robert Greene
Understand: we live in the world of a sad separation that began some five hundred years ago when art and science split apart.

Understand: we live in the world of a sad separation that began some five hundred years ago when art and science split apart.

Robert Greene
Person who cannot control his words shows that he cannot control himself,

Person who cannot control his words shows that he cannot control himself,

Robert Greene
The best way to neutralize our natural impatience is to cultivate a kind of pleasure in pain—like an athlete, you come to enjoy rigorous practice, pushing past your limits, and resisting the easy way out.

The best way to neutralize our natural impatience is to cultivate a kind of pleasure in pain—like an athlete, you come to enjoy rigorous practice, pushing past your limits, and resisting the easy way out.

Robert Greene
Twere sin to stain fair Venus' courts with blood

Twere sin to stain fair Venus' courts with blood

Robert Greene
You are like a hunter: your knowledge of every detail of the forest and of the ecosystem as a whole will give you many more options for survival and success.

You are like a hunter: your knowledge of every detail of the forest and of the ecosystem as a whole will give you many more options for survival and success.

Robert Greene
I give my mind the liberty to follow the first wise or foolish idea that presents itself,

I give my mind the liberty to follow the first wise or foolish idea that presents itself,

Robert Greene
The need for certainty is the greatest disease the mind faces.

The need for certainty is the greatest disease the mind faces.

Robert Greene
Moving towards mastery will naturally bring you a more global outlook, but it is always wise to expedite the process by training yourself early on to continually enlarge your perspective.

Moving towards mastery will naturally bring you a more global outlook, but it is always wise to expedite the process by training yourself early on to continually enlarge your perspective.

Robert Greene
PSYCHOLOGY OF LOVE, TRANSLATED BY JOAN RIVIÈRE

PSYCHOLOGY OF LOVE, TRANSLATED BY JOAN RIVIÈRE

Robert Greene
The pain is kind of challenge your mind presents - will you learn how to focus and move past boredom, or like a child will you succumb to the need for immediate pleasure and distraction?

The pain is kind of challenge your mind presents - will you learn how to focus and move past boredom, or like a child will you succumb to the need for immediate pleasure and distraction?

Robert Greene
Men are more ready to repay an injury than a benefit, because gratitude is a burden and revenge a pleasure. TACITUS, c. A.D. 55-120

Men are more ready to repay an injury than a benefit, because gratitude is a burden and revenge a pleasure. TACITUS, c. A.D. 55-120

Robert Greene
You must be the mirror, training your mind to try to see yourself as others see you.

You must be the mirror, training your mind to try to see yourself as others see you.

Robert Greene
Keep friends for friendship, but work with the skilled and competent.

Keep friends for friendship, but work with the skilled and competent.

Robert Greene
Tweere sin to stain fair Venus' courts with blood

Tweere sin to stain fair Venus' courts with blood

Robert Greene
In every work of genius we recognize our own rejected thoughts; they come back to us with a certain alienated majesty.

In every work of genius we recognize our own rejected thoughts; they come back to us with a certain alienated majesty.

Robert Greene
Our levels of desire, patience, persistence, and confidence end up playing a much larger role in success than sheer reasoning powers.

Our levels of desire, patience, persistence, and confidence end up playing a much larger role in success than sheer reasoning powers.

Robert Greene