Greene: "Stupidity and human incompetence are the great evils, not ambition and glory."

Greene: "Power is the measure of the degree of control you have over circumstances in your life and the actions of the people around you. It is a skill that is developed by a deep understanding of human nature, of what truly motivates people, and of the manipulations necessary for advancement and protection."

Greene: "Power works best when it is indirect - never coercing people; instead, getting them to voluntarily align with your interests."

Greene: "The world is full of people with different characters and temperaments. We all have a dark side, a tendency to manipulate, and aggressive desires. The most dangerous types are those who repress their desires or deny the existence of them, often acting them out in the most underhanded ways."

Greene: "Weak character will neutralize all of the other possible good qualities a person might possess."

Greene: "As social animals, we are extremely susceptible to the moods of other people. This gives us the power to subtly infuse into people the appropriate mood for influencing them."

Greene: "When you get angry, your options narrow."

Greene: "Reputation is the cornerstone of power. Through reputation alone you can intimidate and win; once it slips, however, you are vulnerable, and will be attacked on all sides. Make your reputation unassailable."

Greene: "Always remember that your calmness under fire is your best defense in any argument or discussion."

Greene: "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."

Greene: "We do not see people as they are, but as they appear to us. And these appearances are usually misleading."

Greene: "An elusive, enigmatic aura will make people want to know more, drawing them into your circle. Create such a power by hinting at something contradictory within you."

Greene: "Create a ladder of values and priorities in your life, reminding yourself of what really matters to you."

Greene: "Be extra careful in the work environment with those who like to maintain their position through charm and being political, rather than getting things done. They are very prone to envying and hating those who work hard and get results. They will slander and sabotage you without any warning."

Greene: "Ethics and power are separate."

Greene: "Why regret anything? Where does it get you to regret anything you've ever done in your life? It gets you nowhere. It's a pathetic emotion that you can wallow in."

Greene: "To not follow your passion in life is a recipe for failure and unhappiness."

Greene: "A hustler has to deal with danger and risk. It's part of the game. You cannot control it all, nor would you want to. Chaos, unknown factors are not something to be anxious about."

Greene: "Evil or manipulative people don't need a book, they just do it anyway."

Greene: "Keep people off-balance and in the dark by never revealing the purpose behind your actions. If they have no clue what you are up to, they cannot prepare a defense."

Greene: "Remember that the essence of authority is that people willingly follow your lead."