This book is banned from prisons for a reason.
The most powerful and manipulative tactics of how to behave around people and become assertive are simply worded in this book.
The 48 Laws of Power written by Robert Greene is as useful as a book can get. Using the most powerful dark psychology tricks, the author described what the most potent and powerful way of forming and re-creating your personality looks like.
This is one of those books that can change your life for the better, as it definitely changed mine. I know that you’ll feel the same after reading it!
Use these advice carefully, and enjoy shedding light on the wisdom contained in these 48 laws of power quotes!
Best 48 Laws Of Power Quotes
1. “Keep your friends for friendship, but work with the skilled and competent” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
2. “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, The 48 Laws of Power
3. “Never waste valuable time, or mental peace of mind, on the affairs of others—that is too high a price to pay.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
4. “Lord, protect me from my friends; I can take care of my enemies.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
5. “…But the human tongue is a beast that few can master.’’ ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
6. If you want to turn people down, it is best to do so politely and respectfully, even if you feel their request is impudent or their offer ridiculous.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
7. “There is nothing more intoxicating than victory, and nothing more dangerous.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
8. “Strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
9. “Many serious thinkers have been produced in prisons, where they have nothing to do but think.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
10. “A person who cannot control his words shows that he cannot control himself, and is unworthy of respect.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
The 48 Laws Of Power In Short
1. “Never outshine the master.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
2. “Never put too much trust in friends, learn how to use enemies.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
3. “Conceal your intentions.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
4. “Always say less than necessary.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
5. “So much depends on reputation – guard it with your life.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
6. “Court attention at all cost.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
7. “Get others to do the work for you, but always take the credit.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
8. “Make other people come to you – use bait if necessary.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
9. “Win through your actions, never through argument.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
10. “Avoid the unhappy and the unlucky.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
See also: 90 Choose Happiness Quotes To Encourage And Inspire You
11. “Learn to keep people dependent on you.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
12. “Use selective honesty and generosity to disarm your victim.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
13. “When asking for help, appeal to people’s self-interest, never to their mercy or gratitude.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
14. “Pose as a friend, work as a spy.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
15. “Crush your enemy totally.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
16. “Use absence to increase respect and honor.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
17. “Keep others in suspended terror: cultivate an air of unpredictability.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
18. “Do not build fortresses to protect yourself – isolation is dangerous.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
19. “Know who you’re dealing with – do not offend the wrong person.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
20. “Do not commit to anyone.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
21. “Play a sucker to catch a sucker – seem dumber than your mark.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
22. “Use the surrender tactic: transform weakness into power.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
23. “Concentrate your forces.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
24. “Play the perfect courtier.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
25. “Re-create yourself.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
26. “Keep your hands clean.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
27. “Play on people’s need to believe to create a cult-like following.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
28. “Enter action with boldness.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
29. “Plan all the way to the end.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
30. “Make your accomplishments seem effortless.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
31. “Control the options: get others to play with the cards you deal.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
32. “Play to people’s fantasies.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
33. “Discover each man’s thumbscrew.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
34. “Be royal in your own fashion: act like a king to be treated like one.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
35. “Master the art of timing.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
36. “Disdain things you cannot have: ignoring them is the best revenge.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
37. “Create compelling spectacles.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
38. “Think as you like but behave like others.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
39. “Stir up waters to catch fish.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
40. “Despise the free lunch.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
41. “Avoid stepping into a great man’s shoes.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
42. “Strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
43. “Work on the hearts and minds of others.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
44. “Disarm and infuriate with the mirror effect.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
45. “Preach the need for change, but never reform too much at once.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
46. “Never appear too perfect” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
47. “Do not go past the mark you aimed for; in victory, learn when to stop.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
48. “Assume formlessness.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
Most Inspirational 48 Laws Of Power Quotes
1. “For the future, the motto is, “No days unalert.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
2. “Few are born bold. Even Napoleon had to cultivate the habit on the battlefield, where he knew it was a matter of life and death. In social settings he was awkward and timid, but he overcame this and practice boldness in every part of his life because he saw its tremendous power, how it could literally enlarge a man(even one who, like Napoleon, was in fact conspicuously small).” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
3. “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.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
4. “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” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
5. “When you meet a swordsman, draw your sword: Do not recite poetry to one who is not a poet.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
6. “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.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
7. “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.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
8. “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, The 48 Laws of Power
9. “You cannot repress anger or love, or avoid feeling them, and you should not try.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
10. “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, The 48 Laws of Power
11. “What does it matter if another player, your friend or rival, intended good things and had only your interests at heart, if the effects of his action lead to so much ruin and confusion? It is only natural for people to cover up their actions with all kinds of justifications, always assuming that they have acted out of goodness. You must learn to inwardly laugh each time you hear this and never get caught up in gauging someone’s intentions and actions through a set of moral judgments that are really an excuse for the accumulation of power.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
12. “Never argue. In society nothing must be discussed; give only results.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
13. “Sometimes any emotion is better than the boredom of security.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
14. “Too much respect for other people’s wisdom will make you depreciate your own.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
15. “Do not wait for a coronation; the greatest emperors crown themselves.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
16. “The mighty lion toys with the mouse that crosses his path—any other reaction would mar his fearsome reputation.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
See also: 100 Taking Chances Quotes To Help You Conquer Your Fears
17. “Image: An Oak Tree. The oak that resists the wind loses its branches one by one, and with nothing left to protect it, the trunk fi nally snaps. The oak that bends lives long er, its trunk grow ing wider, its roots deeper and more tenacious.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
18. “Do not commit yourself to anybody or anything, for that is to be a slave, a slave to every man…. Above all, keep yourself free of commitments and obligations—they are the device of another to get you into his power…” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
19. “You must be the mirror, training your mind to try to see yourself as others see you.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
20. “If, for example, you are miserly by nature, you will never go beyond a certain limit; only generous souls attain greatness.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
Motivational 48 Laws Of Power Quotes
1. “To succeed in the game of power, you have to master your emotions.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
2. “Remember: The best deceivers do everything they can to cloak their roguish qualities. They cultivate an air of honesty in one area to disguise their dishonesty in others. Honesty is merely another decoy in their arsenal of weapons.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
3. “Never assume that the person you are dealing with is weaker or less important than you are. Some people are slow to take offense, which may make you misjudge the thickness of their skin, and fail to worry about insulting them. But should you offend their honor and their pride, they will overwhelm you with a violence that seems sudden and extreme given their slowness to anger. If you want to turn people down, it is best to do so politely and respectfully, even if you feel their request is impudent or their offer ridiculous.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
4. “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.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
5. “Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
6. “friendship and love blind every man to their interests.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
7. “By acknowledging a petty problem you give it existence and credibility. The more attention you pay an enemy, the stronger you make him; and a small mistake is often made worse and more visible when you try to fix it. It is sometimes best to leave things alone. If there is something you want but cannot have, show contempt for it. The less interest you reveal, the more superior you seem.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
8. “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, The 48 Laws of Power
9. “Without enemies around us, we grow lazy. An enemy at our heels sharpens our wits, keeping us focused and alert. It is sometimes better, then, to use enemies as enemies rather than transforming them into friends or allies.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
See also: 200 Powerful Quotes About Transformation To Inspire Change
10. “Never be distracted by people’s glamorous portraits of themselves and their lives; search and dig for what really imprisons them.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
11. “Oysters open completely when the moon is full; and when the crab sees one it throws a piece of stone or seaweed into it and the oyster cannot close again so that it serves the crab for meat. Such is the fate of him who opens his mouth too much and thereby puts himself at the mercy of the listener. Leonardo da Vinci, 1452-1519” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
12. “A man said to a Dervish: “Why do I not see you more often?” The Dervish replied, “Because the words ‘Why have you not been to see me?’ are sweeter to my ear than the words ‘Why have you come again?” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
13. “To succeed in the game of power, you have to master your emotions. But even if you succeed in gaining such self-control, you can never control the temperamental dispositions of those around you. And this presents a great danger.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
14. “All masters want to appear more brilliant than other people.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
15. “Fools say that they learn by experience. I prefer to profit from others’ experience.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
16. “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, The 48 Laws of Power
17. “Learn the lesson: Once the words are out, you cannot take them back. Keep them under control. Be particularly careful with sarcasm: The momentary satisfaction you gain with your biting words will be outweighed by the price you pay.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
18. “Learn to destroy your enemies by opening holes in their own reputations. Then stand aside and let public opinion hang them.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
19. “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, The 48 Laws of Power
20. “Never take your position for granted and never let any favors you receive go to your head.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
Wise 48 Laws Of Power Quotes
1. “He who poses as a fool is not a fool.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
2. “Be wary of friends—they will betray you more quickly, for they are easily aroused to envy. They also become spoiled and tyrannical. But hire a former enemy and he will be more loyal than a friend, because he has more to prove. In fact, you have more to fear from friends than from enemies. If you have no enemies, find a way to make them.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
See also: 40 Inspiring Faith Over Fear Quotes To Make You Fearless
3. “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 Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
4. “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, The 48 Laws of Power
5.“It is not much good being wise among fools and sane among lunatics.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
6. “What is offered for free is dangerous-it usually involves either a trick or a hidden obligation. What has worth is worth paying for. By paying your own way you stay clear of gratitude, guilt, and deceit. It is also often wise to pay the full price—there is no cutting corners with excellence. Be lavish with your money and keep it circulating, for generosity is a sign and a magnet for power.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
7. “There is almost a touch of condescension in the act of hiring friends that secretly afflicts them. The injury will come out slowly: A little more honesty, flashes of resentment and envy here and there, and before you know it your friendship fades. The more favors and gifts you supply to revive the friendship, the less gratitude you receive.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
8. “Those who make a show or display of innocence are the least innocent of all.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
9. “As Gracián said, “The truth is generally seen, rarely heard.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
10. “Everyone admires the bold; no one honors the timid.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
Important Life Lessons From 48 Laws Of Power Quotes
1. “Learn to use the knowledge of the past and you will look like a genius, even when you are really just a clever borrower.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
2. “Men are more ready to repay an injury than a benefit, because gratitude is a burden and revenge a pleasure.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
3. “Never appear overly greedy for attention, then, for it signals insecurity, and insecurity drives power away. Understand that there are times when it is not in your interest to be the center of attention. When in the presence of a king or queen, for instance, or the equivalent thereof, bow and retreat to the shadows; never compete.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
4. “It takes great talent and skill to conceal one’s talent and skill.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
5. “If you lead the sucker down a familiar path, he won’t catch on when you lead him into a trap.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
6. “Everything is judged by its appearance; what is unseen counts for nothing. Never let yourself get lost in the crowd, then, or buried in oblivion. Stand out. Be conspicuous, at all cost. Make yourself a magnet of attention by appearing larger, more colorful, more mysterious than the bland and timid masses.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
7. “Learn to move fast and adapt or you will be eaten. The best way to avoid this fate is to assume formlessness. No predator alive can attack what it cannot see. OBSERVANCE” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
8. “Sometimes, however, it is better to take risks and play the most capricious, unpredictable move.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
9. “Never waste valuable time or mental peace of mind on the affairs of others – that is too high a price to pay.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
10. “Be a flame of positive emotions and you will never be without a friend.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
11. “If the world is like a giant scheming court and we are trapped inside it, there is no use in trying to opt out of the game. That will only render you powerless, and powerlessness will make you miserable. Instead of struggling against the inevitable, instead of arguing and whining and feeling guilty, it is far better to excel at power. In fact, the better you are at dealing with power, the better friend, lover, husband, wife, and person you become.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
12. “In a speech Abraham Lincoln delivered at the height of the Civil War, he referred to the Southerners as fellow human beings who were in error. An elderly lady chastised him for not calling them irreconcilable enemies who must be destroyed. “Why, madam,” Lincoln replied, “do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
13. “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, The 48 Laws of Power
14. “So much of power is not what you do but what you do not do—the rash and foolish actions that you refrain from before they get you into trouble.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
15. “Hesitation creates gaps. Boldness obliterates them.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
16. “To have a good enemy, choose a friend: He knows where to strike” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
17. “Anger is the most destructive of emotional responses, for it clouds your vision the most.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
18. “What draws attention draws power” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
19. “When the snipe and the mussel struggle, the fisherman gets the benefit. Ancient Chinese saying” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
20. “Understand this: The world wants to assign you a role in life. And once you accept that role you are doomed.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
21. “Absence diminishes minor passions and inflames great ones, as the wind douses a candle and fans a fire.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
22. “As Nietzsche wrote, “The value of a thing sometimes lies not in what one attains with it, but in what one pays for it—what it costs us.” Perhaps you will attain your goal, and a worthy goal at that, but at what price? Apply this standard to everything, including whether to collaborate with other people or come to their aid. In the end, life is short, opportunities are few, and you have only so much energy to draw on. And in this sense time is as important a consideration as any other. Never waste valuable time, or mental peace of mind, on the affairs of others—that is too high a price to pay. Power” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
See also: 210 Inspiring Keep Pushing Quotes To Unleash Your Power
23. “The Athenians were one of the most eminently practical people in history, and they made the most practical argument they could with the Melians: When you are weaker, there is nothing to be gained by fighting a useless fight. No one comes to help the weak—by doing so they would only put themselves in jeopardy. The weak are alone and must submit. Fighting gives you nothing to gain but martyrdom, and in the process a lot of people who do not believe in your cause will die.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
24. “Power is essentially amoral and one of the most important skills to acquire is the ability to see circumstances rather than good or evil. Power is a game—this cannot be repeated too often—and in games you do not judge your opponents by their intentions but by the effect of their actions.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
25. ‘’Intellect is a magnitude of intensity, not a magnitude of extensity.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
26. “skill and competence are far more important than friendly feelings.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
27. “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, The 48 Laws of Power
28. “Impatience, on the other hand, only makes you look weak. It is a principal impediment to power. Power” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
29. “In fact, the better you are at dealing with power, the better friend, lover, husband, wife, and person you become.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
30. “The mind must not wander from goal to goal, or be distracted by success from its sense of purpose and proportion.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
31. “Commit harmless mistakes that will not hurt you in the long run but will give you the chance to ask for his help. Masters adore such requests. A master who cannot bestow on you the gifts of his experience may direct rancor and ill will at you instead.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
32. “Power rarely ends up in the hands of those who start a revolution, or even of those who further it; power sticks to those who bring it to a conclusion.” ― Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
Final Word
I hope that you have enjoyed reading this compilation of the best 48 laws of power quotes, and that your inspiration to read this book has been sparked, or that you have enjoyed remembering the quotes from the book if you already read it.
Find the motivation behind these dark psychological quotes, that maybe are a bit manipulative, but they work wonders.
How do you feel about them? Which one is your favorite?
Read next: 150 Discipline Quotes To Unlock Your Potential And Success
