Win through your actions, never through argument.
Interpretation
Actions speak louder than words, and true success comes from demonstrating rather than debating.
In this quote, Robert Greene emphasizes the importance of action over mere discussion or argument. He suggests that rather than trying to win through verbal disputes, individuals should focus on proving their points through tangible results and actions that showcase their beliefs or capabilities. This perspective encourages a more constructive approach to conflict and competition, where achieving goals becomes paramount.
In practice
During a team meeting, you can say this quote to emphasize the importance of delivering results over just discussing ideas.
In a society where the roles everyone plays are obvious, the refusal to conform to any standard will excite interest. Be both masculine and feminine, impudent and charming, subtle and outrageous. Let other people worry about being socially acceptable; those types are a dime a dozen, and you are after a power greater than they can imagine.
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.
The moment people feel they know what to expect from you, your spell on them is broken. More: You have ceded them power.
The future belongs to those who learn more skills and combine them in creative ways.
The Nihilistic Troll might pretend to be acting in the service of some cause or leader, but don't be fooled. The cause and their supposedly strong convictions are simply a way to justify and provide cover for their abusive behavior.
Only create associations with positive affinities. Make this a rule of life and you will benefit more than from all the therapy in the world.
I'm too old to recover, too narrow to forgive myself.
Instead of jumping at the chance to be offended, choose to be amused. Rather than filling your thoughts with resentment, fill your heart with forgiveness.
Almost all our suffering is the product of our thoughts. We spend nearly every moment of our lives lost in thought, and hostage to the character of those thoughts. You can break this spell, but it takes training just like it takes training to defend yourself against a physical assault.
Once you learn to choose your belongings properly, you will be left with only the amount that fits perfectly in the space you own.
I'm not tough, and I never have been. I suppose over the years I've built up kind of a veneer to protect myself because I have functioned on my own for a long, long time, and I have never had a lot of flunkies preceding me to clear the way.
As they who make Good luck a god count all unlucky men.
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