The Laws of Human Nature

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes descriptions of substance use and physical abuse. 

Greene tells the reader that they can appeal to people by warming up to them and making them feel like their views are intelligent and valid. They will then gain their trust and loyalty and achieve success. As an example, he points to Lyndon Baines Johnson’s time as the Democratic senator of Texas in the late 1940s and early 1950s. During this time, he befriended Georgia Democrat Richard Russell, using Russell’s conservative values and love of baseball to connect with him as a friend and later, mentor. He also befriended liberal Minnesota Democrat Hubert Humphrey, appealing to his admiration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his passion for more progressive causes while also helping him become more pragmatic. Johnson’s careful advising of those around him and his acceptance of advice from others, including Russell, helped him to eventually become the US Vice President under John F. Kennedy and then president following Kennedy’s death.

Greene states that Johnson’s success came from his ability to make those around him feel like their views were valid and that they were intelligent. He encourages the reader to follow Johnson’s example by remembering that humans believe themselves to be intelligent, free-thinking, and moral and become offended and angry when they are made to feel otherwise.