Top 91 Best Quotes From 48 laws of power book

“The 48 Laws of Power” by Robert Greene is a widely known book that distills lessons from history about power dynamics, strategy, and influence. Here are 100 of the best quotes from the book:

1. “Never outshine the master.”

• Law 1

1. “Never put too much trust in friends, learn how to use enemies.”

• Law 2

1. “Conceal your intentions.”

• Law 3

1. “Always say less than necessary.”

• Law 4

1. “So much depends on reputation—guard it with your life.”

• Law 5

1. “Court attention at all costs.”

• Law 6

1. “Get others to do the work for you, but always take the credit.”

• Law 7

1. “Make other people come to you—use bait if necessary.”

• Law 8

1. “Win through your actions, never through argument.”

• Law 9

1. “Infection: avoid the unhappy and unlucky.”
   • Law 10
2. “Learn to keep people dependent on you.”
   • Law 11
3. “Use selective honesty and generosity to disarm your victim.”
   • Law 12
4. “When asking for help, appeal to people’s self-interest, never to their mercy or gratitude.”
   • Law 13
5. “Pose as a friend, work as a spy.”
   • Law 14
6. “Crush your enemy totally.”
   • Law 15
7. “Use absence to increase respect and honor.”
   • Law 16
8. “Keep others in suspended terror: cultivate an air of unpredictability.”
   • Law 17
9. “Do not build fortresses to protect yourself—isolation is dangerous.”
   • Law 18
10. “Know who you’re dealing with—do not offend the wrong person.”
    • Law 19
11. “Do not commit to anyone.”
    • Law 20
12. “Play a sucker to catch a sucker—seem dumber than your mark.”
    • Law 21
13. “Use the surrender tactic: transform weakness into power.”
    • Law 22
14. “Concentrate your forces.”
    • Law 23
15. “Play the perfect courtier.”
    • Law 24
16. “Re-create yourself.”
    • Law 25
17. “Keep your hands clean.”
    • Law 26
18. “Play on people’s need to believe to create a cult-like following.”
    • Law 27
19. “Enter action with boldness.”
    • Law 28
20. “Plan all the way to the end.”
    • Law 29
21. “Make your accomplishments seem effortless.”
    • Law 30
22. “Control the options: get others to play with the cards you deal.”
    • Law 31
23. “Play to people’s fantasies.”
    • Law 32
24. “Discover each man’s thumbscrew.”
    • Law 33
25. “Be royal in your own fashion: act like a king to be treated like one.”
    • Law 34
26. “Master the art of timing.”
    • Law 35
27. “Disdain things you cannot have: ignoring them is the best revenge.”
    • Law 36
28. “Create compelling spectacles.”
    • Law 37
29. “Think as you like but behave like others.”
    • Law 38
30. “Stir up waters to catch fish.”
    • Law 39
31. “Despise the free lunch.”
    • Law 40
32. “Avoid stepping into a great man’s shoes.”
    • Law 41
33. “Strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter.”
    • Law 42
34. “Work on the hearts and minds of others.”
    • Law 43
35. “Disarm and infuriate with the mirror effect.”
    • Law 44
36. “Preach the need for change, but never reform too much at once.”
    • Law 45
37. “Never appear too perfect.”
    • Law 46
38. “Do not go past the mark you aimed for; in victory, learn when to stop.”
    • Law 47
39. “Assume formlessness.”
    • Law 48
40. “When you force the other person to act, you are the one in control.”
    • Law 9
41. “Words are a dime a dozen. Anyone can say the right things; what matters is doing the right things.”
    • Law 9
42. “One sincere and honest move will cover over dozens of dishonest ones.”
    • Law 12
43. “Even the most perfect courtier eventually makes a mistake and is caught in a trap.”
    • Law 24
44. “Never take your position for granted and never let any favors you receive go to your head.”
    • Law 2
45. “If you make a mistake, do not apologize but rather double down and keep moving forward.”
    • Law 28
46. “Appear weak and submit when you are actually strong, so that your opponent becomes overconfident and underestimates you.”
    • Law 22
47. “There is always a simpler, more direct, and effective route to power, if only you look for it.”
    • Law 23
48. “The harder and more unrealistic you make your fantasies, the more impressed people will be.”
    • Law 32
49. “Reversals of fortune are inevitable; learn to embrace them and use them to your advantage.”
    • Law 29
50. “A great trick of courtliness is to assume a pleasant manner, masking your own feelings and letting your opponent reveal theirs.”
    • Law 24
51. “Leave people feeling flattered and honored by your presence, even if it costs you nothing.”
    • Law 40
52. “Give others the illusion of control, while you secretly pull the strings.”
    • Law 31
53. “People will turn to you as a last resort if you position yourself as a source of wisdom and stability.”
    • Law 23
54. “To gain power, you must be willing to get your hands dirty.”
    • Law 26
55. “Conceal your true intentions behind a mask of kindness and empathy.”
    • Law 3
56. “Never let your emotions get the better of you.”
    • Law 45
57. “By limiting your appearances, you increase your value and demand.”
    • Law 16
58. “People want to believe that something is simple and easily solved, so give them that illusion.”
    • Law 32
59. “Charm and flattery are powerful tools in the right hands.”
    • Law 27
60. “No one will respect you if you do not respect yourself.”
    • Law 34
61. “The key to power is the ability to understand and manipulate the emotions of others.”
    • Law 43
62. “In moments of doubt, retreat into your plans, not your emotions.”
    • Law 29
63. “Sometimes it is best to let your enemies destroy themselves.”
    • Law 15
64. “Your success depends on your ability to read and understand the motivations of others.”
    • Law 33
65. “The most effective strategy is to play both sides against the middle.”
    • Law 20
66. “To be truly powerful, you must be unpredictable and elusive.”
    • Law 48
67. “You cannot control others if you cannot control yourself.”
    • Law 25
68. “It is better to be feared than loved, but it is best to be both.”
    • Law 6
69. “By appearing generous, you can control others without their knowing it.”
    • Law 12
70. “Make your opponents feel secure and confident before striking.”
    • Law 14
71. “True power comes from staying calm and collected under pressure.”
    • Law 17
72. **”In any situation, always be prepared to walk away.”**
    • Law 13
73. “There is no greater risk than relying on others.”
    • Law 11
74. “Make people dependent on you, and you will control them.”
    • Law 11
75. “Timing is everything in power plays.”
    • Law 35
76. “Appearances can be deceiving, but they are often all that matters.”
    • Law 37
77. “In the game of power, your enemies will come at you from unexpected angles.”
    • Law 19
78. “If you cannot win the game, change the rules.”
    • Law 6
79. “Keep your enemies close and your friends closer.”
    • Law 2
80. “The best defense is a good offense.”
    • Law 15
81. “Power is the ability to make others act in ways they would not on their own.”
    • Law 43
82. “The more you say, the more likely you are to say something foolish.”
    • Law 4
83. “The more you allow others to depend on you, the more power you will have over them.”
    • Law 11
84. “Do not take your successes for granted, as they can be fleeting.”
    • Law 47
85. “In power games, appearance is often more important than substance.”
    • Law 34
86. “If you must attack, do it with all the strength you have.”
    • Law 15
87. “Never give away your real plans or intentions.”
    • Law 3
88. “Never allow yourself to be overshadowed.”
    • Law 1
89. “Powerful people are those who know how to turn weaknesses into strengths.”
    • Law 22
90. “The most dangerous opponent is the one you underestimate.”
    • Law 19
91. “The ultimate power is to be immune to the power plays of others.”
    • Law 48

These quotes capture the essence of the strategies and principles Robert Greene presents in “The 48 Laws of Power,” providing insights into power dynamics, influence, and human behavior.