The 50th Law by Robert Greene: Summary & Notes

The 50th Law

https://www.grahammann.net/book-notes/the-50th-law-robert-greene

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Summary

An excellent book from Robert Greene - one of my favourites among his work, and much more digestible than some of his others.

The general concepts explored come down to fearlessness, and what he calls The 50th Law:

"The 50th Law, however, states that there is one thing we can actually control — the mind - set with which we respond to these events around us. And if we are able to overcome our anxieties and forge a fearless attitude towards life, something strange and remarkable can occur — that margin of control over circumstance increases. At its utmost point, we can even create the circumstances themselves, which is the source of the tremendous power that fearless types have had throughout history. And the people who practice the 50th Law in their lives all share certain qualities — supreme boldness, unconventionality, fluidity, and a sense of urgency — that give them this unique ability to shape circumstance.”

The book goes on to break down this law into its components, and details examples of each, as well as actionable guidelines for how to cultivate qualities and skills yourself.

It’s a book you should read and digest, and then refer back to constantly.  Perhaps one of Greene’s most relevant books to life in general, it provides the set of principles by which you should live.   Definitely recommend.

Favorite Quotes

• This must be the power and the direction of your mind whenever you encounter some problem — to bore deeper and deeper until you get at something basic and at the root.
• The real poetry and beauty in life comes from an intense relationship with reality in all its aspects. Realism is in fact the ideal we must aspire to, the highest point of human rationality.
• Keep in mind the following: what you really value in life is ownership, not money. If ever there is a choice — more money or more responsibility — you must always opt for the latter. A lower - paying position that offers more room to make decisions and carve out little empires is infinitely preferable to something that pays well but constricts your movements.
• Make your enterprise a reflection of your individuality.
• Events in life are not negative or positive. They are completely neutral...Things merely happen to you. It is your mind that chooses to interpret them as negative or positive.
• Most people wait too long to go into action, generally out of fear. They want more money or better circumstances. You must go the opposite direction and move before you think you are ready.
• Understand: it is not only what you do that must have flow, but also how you do things. It is your strategies, your methods of attacking problems, that must constantly be adapted to circumstances.