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The Laws of Human Nature Hardcover – October 23, 2018

4.8 out of 5 stars 16,588 ratings

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From the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of The 48 Laws of Power comes the definitive new book on decoding the behavior of the people around you. This is the only authorized hardcover edition in the US.

Robert Greene is a master guide for millions of readers, distilling ancient wisdom and philosophy into essential texts for seekers of power, understanding and mastery. Now he turns to the most important subject of all - understanding people's drives and motivations, even when they are unconscious of them themselves.

We are social animals. Our very lives depend on our relationships with people. Knowing why people do what they do is the most important tool we can possess, without which our other talents can only take us so far. Drawing from the ideas and examples of Pericles, Queen Elizabeth I, Martin Luther King Jr, and many others, Greene teaches us how to detach ourselves from our own emotions and master self-control, how to develop the empathy that leads to insight, how to look behind people's masks, and how to resist conformity to develop your singular sense of purpose. Whether at work, in relationships, or in shaping the world around you,
The Laws of Human Nature offers brilliant tactics for success, self-improvement, and self-defense.
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From the Publisher

New From Robert Greene
The Laws of Human Nature by Robert Greene
From the author of The 48 Laws of Power. The definitive book on decoding behavior...
The Art of Seduction
The 48 Laws of Power
Mastery
The 33 Strategies of War
The Daily Laws
The 48 Laws of Power (Special Power Edition)
Customer Reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars 11,250
4.7 out of 5 stars 84,622
4.7 out of 5 stars 10,703
4.8 out of 5 stars 4,882
4.8 out of 5 stars 4,635
4.7 out of 5 stars 84,622
Price $16.05 $13.53 $13.00 $14.99 $12.79 $46.23
More from Robert Greene

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for The Laws of Human Nature:

“The writing is engaging and the ideas are fascinating… we could all use the insights Greene provides....  a hopeful book that advocates freedom and creativity.” -- Quartz

"The lessons have profound implications. There's a chapter on reading body language that is absolutely profound; each "law" has stunningly vivid descriptions of an historical figure.” -- Inc.

“The Laws of Human Nature provides some first-rate comprehensive and in-depth information about how to deal with our fellow human beings effectively. Greene’s intense curiosity about the inner workings of humanity is contagious, as he invites us to join him as fellow sleuths on his investigation of why people, including ourselves, do what we do. He rightly (and frequently) reminds us that in order to understand others, we must first and foremost understand what makes ourselves tick.” -- New York Journal of Books

"In this detailed and expansive guide, Greene (
Mastery) seeks to … transform the reader into a 'calmer and more strategic observer,' immune to 'emotional drama.' Those are lofty promises, but even skeptics will become believers after diving into Greene’s well-organized text. Overcoming the “law of irrationality,” for instance, leads to the ability to “open your mind to what is really happening, as opposed to what you are feeling.” Greene’s thoughtful examination of self and society will, for the committed reader, deliver a refreshing and revitalizing perspective." -- Publishers Weekly

Praise for Robert Greene:

"Greene's specialty is analyzing the lives and philosophies of historical figures like Sun Tzu and Napoleon, and extracting from them tips on how to manipulate people and situations--a cutthroat worldview that has earned him a devoted following among a like-minded readership of rappers, drug dealers and corporate executives."
The New York Times

"Compelling." 
—Forbes

"Illuminating."
—The Guardian

Praise for The 48 Laws of Power:

"Machiavelli has a new rival. And Sun Tzu had better watch his back. Greene . . . has put together a checklist of ambitious behavior. Just reading the table of contents is enough to stir a little corner-office lust."
—New York magazine

"Beguiling . . . literate . . . fascinating. A wry primer for people who desperately want to be on top."
—People

"An heir to Machiavelli's Prince . . . gentler souls will find this book frightening, those whose moral compass is oriented solely to power will have a perfect vade mecum."
—Publishers Weekly

"Satisfyingly dense and . . . literary, with fantastic examples of genius power-game players. It's The Rules meets In Pursuit of Wow! with a degree in comparative literature."
—Allure

About the Author

Robert Greene, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The 48 Laws of Power, The 33 Strategies of War, The Art of Seduction, Mastery, The Laws of Human Nature, and The Daily Laws, is an internationally renowned expert on power strategies. He lives in Los Angeles.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Viking
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 23, 2018
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ Book Club Edition
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 624 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0525428143
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0525428145
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.37 x 1.91 x 9.55 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 out of 5 stars 16,588 ratings

About the author

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Robert Greene
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Robert Greene is the author of the New York Times bestsellers The 48 Laws of Power, The Art of Seduction, The 33 Strategies of War, and The 50th Law. His highly anticipated fifth book, Mastery, examines the lives of great historical figures such as Charles Darwin, Mozart, Paul Graham and Henry Ford and distills the traits and universal ingredients that made them masters. In addition to having a strong following within the business world and a deep following in Washington, DC, Greene’s books are hailed by everyone from war historians to the biggest musicians in the industry (including Jay-Z and 50 Cent).

Greene attended U.C. Berkeley and the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where he received a degree in classical studies. He currently lives in Los Angeles.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
16,588 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book highly readable and insightful, helping them understand life and human psychology with examples. Moreover, the writing is well-executed, and customers appreciate its concise, detailed, and easy-to-understand approach. Additionally, the pacing is engaging, with one customer noting it's chock full of typical human behaviors, and customers consider it worth every penny. However, the book's length receives mixed reactions, with some finding it long while others note it's only 7 pages.

364 customers mention "Readability"364 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as brilliant and a pleasure to read, with one customer noting it's particularly suitable for great minds.

"I was blown away by this audiobook. Very well done! The narration was perfect...." Read more

"Very good book. Allows you to see humans and the works in a different perspective...." Read more

"...couple of books from Greene and they are always entertaining and fun to read/listen. This one is ok, it’s good, but does it really change your life?..." Read more

"One of the most enthralling books I’ve read in years" Read more

306 customers mention "Insight"273 positive33 negative

Customers find the book insightful, helping them understand life and human psychology, with one customer noting it provides a great compilation of daily practical experiences.

"...Nature is often praised for its deep psychological insights, historical anecdotes, and pragmatic approach to understanding human behavior...." Read more

"A lot of interesting stories and great examples of different parts of human nature...." Read more

"...A brilliant addition to anyone's library." Read more

"Very good book. Allows you to see humans and the works in a different perspective...." Read more

65 customers mention "Writing quality"65 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, noting its engaging style and finding it a masterpiece from the author.

"I was blown away by this audiobook. Very well done! The narration was perfect...." Read more

"...I have never been much of a history buff but these stories are fascinating and therefore I'm learning not only about psychology but history as..." Read more

"...All in all, however, I believe you’ll find the book well-written, enjoyable, and educational as regards important strategies the less-than-honorable..." Read more

"...On the sides of the pages are quotes, poems, and short stories, all related to the law. The graphic design and color makes it easy to scan...." Read more

57 customers mention "Comprehension"43 positive14 negative

Customers appreciate the book's comprehensibility, finding it detailed and easy to understand, with one customer noting it provides great instructions for dealing with people.

"...This book is easy to comprehend and apply. I recommend taking your time in digesting it, as the lessons are quite practical in daily life...." Read more

"...Strongly recommended to all those who want a thorough grounding for understanding and then implementing what contemporary science has to say about..." Read more

"...lays out the essence of human emotion and how it is best to acknowledge and accept it so we can use it to inform our decisions, rather than suppress..." Read more

"...At almost 600 pages, it feels like he sacrificed readability to fit in a few more topics he wants you to know about." Read more

15 customers mention "Pacing"12 positive3 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book engaging, with one customer noting it is chock full of typical human behaviors, while another describes it as mind-blowing.

"The following sums up my review: This book has many elements of his previous work (specifically 48 Laws of Power, 50th Law and Mastery), but with a..." Read more

"...make the journey through human motivations, emotions, and actions thoroughly entertaining...." Read more

"...This is one of them. This book made me look at myself, my actions, and the people in my life in a whole new light...." Read more

"...It was incredibly seducing for his readers and still is. He cleverly unveiled the reality behind the polite and deferential masks we wear everyday...." Read more

12 customers mention "Value for money"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book worth every penny.

"...As usual with Greene’s not-inexpensive books, he gives one a lot of ideas and pages to chew on for the money, leaving one well satisfied with the..." Read more

"...There's a good deal to unpack here and I'm already finding a great deal of value and strong content...." Read more

"...illuminating guide with a wealth of wisdom that well exceeds its modest price." Read more

"...book offers many ways to improve your life through timeless and priceless principles and practices." Read more

39 customers mention "Length"13 positive26 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's length, with some finding it long and physically substantial, while others note it is only 7 pages.

"...Not mine. It’s a pretty long book, took some time to get through it, but then you have to say was it worth my time/energy/money and the question is..." Read more

"It's not a short book, by any means: clocks in at over 600 pages. I just finished reading this today...." Read more

"...is a small sample size, but it shows the main differences: Human Nature is longer, trades stories for science and lectures, less memorable, and not..." Read more

"...Not only it is it much longer, but each chapter is much slower to get to the point...." Read more

14 customers mention "Depth"6 positive8 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the depth of the book, with some appreciating its thorough exploration of topics, while one customer notes that it trades stories for science and lectures.

"...I found it interesting, disjointed, self-contradictory at times, overwhelming and confusing. Most of the subjects are only covered superficially...." Read more

"Fall into the grip of this masterpiece of intensity, plumb the depths of the nature of not only those around you, but also yourself...." Read more

"...shows the main differences: Human Nature is longer, trades stories for science and lectures, less memorable, and not something you can pick up for..." Read more

"This book is amazin! Extremely deep, gotta accept that the trama that's been brought upon you in your childhood...." Read more

The Laws of Human Nature is a necessary book for anyone trying to understand themselves and others.
5 out of 5 stars
The Laws of Human Nature is a necessary book for anyone trying to understand themselves and others.
I am a big fan of Robert Greene and have been for nearly 20 years. That's why I pre-ordered his Laws of Human Nature when I first heard about it AND I got the audio book, which I recently completed. I think Greene is the best writer for anyone interested in psychology, history, biography, power, persuasion, objective reality and how the mind works in general. My interest in Greene started when I came across his 48 Laws of Power when I was browsing the bookstore when I was in college. He has a way of blending psychology and history that is fascinating to me. I own and have read all of his books (something I can't stay about any other author) and all of them have the same structure: a biographical or historical tale followed by analysis and a rule or lesson to be learned by it. I am just finishing up my masters in counseling psychology and working as a therapist so The Laws of Human Nature could not have come at a better time. Unlike many of the books in my counseling program, Greene's style has a very realistic feel to them. This is just the way it is, he doesn't put a pollyannaish spin on everything but rather presents as a strong objective argument for how to best move forward to meet your goals. Like his other books, I find The Laws of Human Nature very inspiring. A lot of what he covers is new material and I think it's a necessary companion to his other books because he really lays out the essence of human emotion and how it is best to acknowledge and accept it so we can use it to inform our decisions, rather than suppress them and deny their existence (something fans of 48 Laws might be prone to try doing). Everything in the Laws of Human Nature is consistent with the Counseling Psychology material I have learned in the last two years but it is much more compelling in its message because of Greene's unique style. I wish Robert Greene the best recovery from his recent stroke and recently purchased his amor fati medallion from dailystoic.com. The back features an excerpt of the great philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche’s formula for greatness: “Not merely bear what is necessary, still less conceal it….but love it.” I highly recommend Greene's Laws of Human Nature for anyone interested in understanding themselves or others better.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2025
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Robert Greene’s The Laws of Human Nature is often praised for its deep psychological insights, historical anecdotes, and pragmatic approach to understanding human behavior. Most reviews highlight its usefulness in business, leadership, and personal development. However, what remains underexplored is how Greene subtly warns against the dangers of self-deception while providing a paradox: the very strategies he outlines can both empower and corrupt the reader.

    The Hidden Paradox: Power vs. Self-Deception
    Unlike Greene’s previous works, The Laws of Human Nature is not just a manual for influence—it is a mirror. While many focus on how to apply its laws to manipulate or navigate social dynamics, fewer acknowledge that the book forces readers to confront their own blind spots. Greene repeatedly emphasizes that understanding others starts with brutally honest self-reflection. However, the very nature of self-reflection is tricky: the ego resists, and the mind rationalizes.

    Take Law 3: See People’s Masks, for example. While this chapter is often read as a way to detect deception in others, Greene subtly implies that we, too, wear masks—ones we may not even recognize. A careful reader will notice that the deeper message is not just about seeing through others, but also about deconstructing our own personas. The irony? The more you think you’ve mastered human nature, the more likely you are to be blind to your own weaknesses.

    The “Machiavellian Trap”
    Another overlooked aspect of The Laws of Human Nature is what I call the Machiavellian Trap. Greene warns that those who use these laws solely for personal gain—without emotional intelligence or ethical grounding—are often setting themselves up for failure. While The 48 Laws of Power focuses on external strategy, The Laws of Human Nature takes a more psychological route, emphasizing long-term consequences of manipulation.

    For instance, Law 15: Make Them Want to Follow You explores charismatic authority, but Greene carefully illustrates that charisma alone is not enough. If it lacks substance, it leads to disillusionment. Many readers may see this law as a leadership tool, but Greene hints at a deeper warning: overuse of charm without genuine character can be intoxicating, blinding the leader to their own downfall.

    The Ultimate Test: Can You Apply the Laws to Yourself?
    A common mistake readers make is treating Greene’s work as an external guide rather than an internal test. The book’s final message is that true mastery of human nature comes not from controlling others but from mastering oneself. Greene provides the framework, but the real challenge is in applying these insights inwardly.

    The real question is: Are you reading this book to understand others, or to understand yourself? If it’s the former, you may be missing its most valuable lesson.
    32 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    A lot of interesting stories and great examples of different parts of human nature. Things that are good, things that are bad, and things that are none of the above. Everything in the end is in the eye of the beholder. Death claims us all, but we don't have to be slaves to our lives up to that point. By knowing who and what we are, we can influence and change not only our lives, but those of the people around us, for the better.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2025
    Format: Audible AudiobookVerified Purchase
    I was blown away by this audiobook. Very well done! The narration was perfect. I plan to buy the physical book for reference - since I will return to the knowledge complied here over and over again. A brilliant addition to anyone's library.
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2025
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    Very good book. Allows you to see humans and the works in a different perspective. Helps you understand many things in life that involves other humans. Recommend
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2025
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    Robert Greene writes very insightful books. Each one is packed full of history, observations, and research that will make you wish you had read it years ago.
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2025
    Format: Audible AudiobookVerified Purchase
    I’ve read a couple of books from Greene and they are always entertaining and fun to read/listen. This one is ok, it’s good, but does it really change your life? Not mine. It’s a pretty long book, took some time to get through it, but then you have to say was it worth my time/energy/money and the question is .. maybe. Time is precious and I think this book is good but a good use of time, I think not.
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2025
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    One of the most enthralling books I’ve read in years
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2025
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    Arrived in time, in excellent condition.

Top reviews from other countries

  • tingyu.tan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Worth Every Cent
    Reviewed in Singapore on May 24, 2025
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    It’s my second book from Robert Greene. Never fail to disappoint. It’s a book worth reading and studying. It’s detailed and engaging. It’s worth every cent.
  • Andre
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
    Reviewed in France on April 28, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This book deeply explores human nature, presenting real-life scenarios and examples that vividly illustrate its characteristics. Though lengthy, it provides valuable insights for understanding the complexities of human behavior
  • Didem
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Book
    Reviewed in Turkey on January 9, 2025
    Stronglt advised
  • Krishna
    5.0 out of 5 stars A potentially life changing book
    Reviewed in India on June 3, 2025
    This book is on the border between self help and high-quality non-fiction. I was recommended via a newsletter that I follow for academic industry knowledge and I’m glad that I picked it up. There are two versions of it won the extended version, which is what is much smaller, concise version. For those who are interested in knowing how the human mind and our psychological nature affects the way that humans behave individually in small groups as well as in the society, this is an excellent I recommended wholeheartedly.
  • Thank you the package was good the book was in good condition i love it buy on this seller I've always wanted to buy this book
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good condition great packaging
    Reviewed in Japan on July 13, 2024
    GOOD PACKAGING GREAT BOOK LOVE THIS SELLER IS GOOD ITS IN GREAT CONDITION LOVEEEEE ITTTTTTT
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    Thank you the package was good the book was in good condition i love it buy on this seller I've always wanted to buy this book
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Good condition great packaging

    Reviewed in Japan on July 13, 2024
    GOOD PACKAGING GREAT BOOK LOVE THIS SELLER IS GOOD ITS IN GREAT CONDITION LOVEEEEE ITTTTTTT
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