The Laws of Human Nature

The Laws of Human Nature (2018) was written by Robert Greene and published by Penguin Books. It is a psychology, sociology, and self-help book that covers “18 laws” about human nature, with stories about historical figures relating to each law. It explores signs of each natural law and discusses strategies for working with these natural laws for self-improvement and advancement. The book examines the themes of The Psychological Underpinnings of Behavior, The Strategies for Mastering Self-Control and Influencing Others, and The Exploration of Power Dynamics in Personal and Professional Relationships. Greene holds a degree in classical studies and has written other works about strategy and self-improvement, including The 48 Laws of Power (1998), The Art of Seduction (2001), and The 33 Strategies of War (2006).

This study guide uses the 2018 Penguin Books paperback edition.

Content Warning: The source material and guide feature depictions of racism, religious discrimination, substance use, addiction, physical abuse, rape, death by suicide, suicidal ideation and/or self-harm, and sexual violence and/or harassment. 

Summary

Robert Greene argues that people are not fully in control of their behaviors despite believing they are. He explains that it is the result of thousands of years of human evolution and the development of standard human nature. Greene identifies 18 laws of human nature and argues that an understanding of these laws will help the reader grow both personally and professionally. 

To explain the first law, the Law of Irrationality, Greene uses the Athenians in the Peloponnesian War as an example. Though Pericles tried to resolve Athens’s conflict with the Spartans with non-violence, after he died from a plague, the Athenians became bitter, angry, and irrational, leading them to lose the war against the Spartans. Greene identifies biases that develop as a result of this irrationality, such as confirmation bias and group bias are signs of irrationality. He advises the reader to combat irrationality by accepting people objectively, balancing their logic and emotions, and examining their emotions and personalities thoroughly. 

Next, Greene examines the Law of Narcissism, arguing that everyone is narcissistic to a degree and must keep their narcissism in check by practicing empathy. He uses Joseph Stalin, Jeanne de Agnes, and Leo Tolstoy and his wife as examples of people with unhealthy levels of narcissism. In contrast, Greene depicts Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton as an example of a person with healthy narcissism. 

Greene then explores the Law of Role-playing. He uses the experience of psychologist Milton Erickson to show how one can learn to read people’s social masks.

Greene details the Law of Compulsive Behavior through the failed business ventures of Howard Hughes to explore how a person can hide weaknesses in their character. He then provides strategies to see the strength of someone’s character, like looking at their past record. 

The book then explores the Law of Covetousness through the story of fashion designer Coco Chanel, who used mystery and revolutionary gender expression to create appeal and desirability. Greene argues that a person can apply these same strategies for social advancement. 

To explain the Law of Shortsightedness, Greene delves into the story of the 1720 South Sea financial crash. He uses its example to encourage readers to focus on long-term goals and patterns rather than short-term trends.

Greene uses former US President Lyndon Baines Johnson’s success and ability to defuse tension to explain the Law of Defensiveness. He states that like Johnson, one must prevent defensiveness in the people one wants to influence by reassuring them of their goodness, intelligence, and free thinking. 

Greene’s exploration of the Law of Self-Sabotage focuses on 19th-century Russian writer Anton Chekov. He examines how Chekhov’s development of a positive attitude and an understanding of his father’s aggression allowed him to heal himself and his family after their trauma. 

Next, Greene explores the Law of Repression, using Richard Nixon’s corruption in the Watergate Scandal as an example of a person’s dark side emerging after years of repression. Greene advises the reader to examine their own shadow and use it positively in their work and art to combat harmful and destructive people.

To explain the Law of Envy, Greene offers the example of Jane Williams—an envious false friend of writer Mary Shelley. He tells the reader to be cautious of envious people, examine one’s own envy, and remind oneself to be grateful for what one has. 

With the example of the rise and fall of former Walt Disney Company CEO Michael Eisner, Greene describes the Law of Grandiosity. He advises the reader to know their flaws but use their confidence in their work. 

Greene uses the story of Italian noblewoman Caterina Sforza to highlight the Law of Gender Rigidity, showing her as an example of a woman who embraced both her feminine and masculine traits. He encourages the reader to be wary of gender projections and to embrace both masculine and feminine traits to fulfill their potential.

Greene covers the Law of Aimlessness by providing an example of the opposite in Martin Luther King, Jr., a leader who found a fulfilling purpose and influenced and helped others. He encourages the reader to find their own great purpose. 

The text then explores the Law of Conformity, citing Gao Yuan’s youth during Mao’s Cultural Revolution as an example of how groups can create destruction. He provides the reader with strategies for navigating group dynamics. 

The Law of Fickleness is explored through the story of Queen Elizabeth I, highlighting her leadership as an example of how to use strength, empathy, and understanding to earn people’s long-term trust and loyalty.

Greene explores the Law of Aggression next, using the story of John D. Rockefeller’s aggressive obtainment of power in the oil industry as an example. He advises readers to be wary of aggressors and to channel their aggression into their work.

Then he examines the Law of Generational Myopia through the story of French revolutionary Georges-Jacques Danton. Danton leveraged his ability to see the French people’s desire for change, unlike King Louis XVI, who was blinded by the mores of his generation. 

Finally, Greene concludes with the Law of Death Denial, using the story of writer Flannery O’Connor to show how accepting mortality can bring empathy and purpose to one’s life.