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.
Interpretation
This quote encourages individuality and the courage to defy social norms for deeper power.
Robert Greene's quote emphasizes the significance of individuality in a conformist society. By advocating for a blend of traits traditionally seen as either masculine or feminine, Greene suggests that embracing a unique identity can captivate attention and lead to a greater sense of personal power, which surpasses the shallow pursuits of societal acceptance or conformity.
In practice
During a leadership seminar, I quoted this to inspire attendees to embrace their unique qualities.
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.
Remember that the essence of authority is that people willingly follow your lead.
Each moment is defined by a multitude of histories, the past constantly converging upon us, perpetually decaying and reforming itself on the steady pulse of now, now, now, now.
The reason people turn to supernatural explanations is that the mind abhors a vacuum of explanation. Because we do not yet have a fully natural explanation for mind and consciousness, people turn to supernatural explanations to fill the void.
On this ancient and miraculous world, where such beautiful natural and living things have evolved, something has gone wrong when life itself is used as a manufacturing process.
That's why they call it the American Dream, because you have to be asleep to believe it.
Ye have cast out yer brothers for devils and now complain ye, lamenting, that ye've been left to fight alone.
Title and ancestry render a good man more illustrious, but an ill one more contemptible.
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