Intro
Although he is an author of six international bestsellers, Robert Greene believes words are overrated.
According to him, body language, facial expressions, and behavior are much more reliable sources of truthful information than words. Behavior—particularly how to understand and use people’s weaknesses to achieve your goals—is what Robert Greene writes about it in his debut book The 48 Laws of Power. This book, just like his five others, draws upon famous historical figures to illustrate the conventions of human behaviour that he describes. Greene’s works on human behavior have influenced the ways that governments, militaries, and corporations conceptualize and use power and seduction to make decisions and influence populations.
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
