Robert Greene argues that everyone is inherently manipulative and that people should acknowledge this capacity to use it productively rather than denying it.

“everyone has a manipulative side there are no Saints in this world but can you use it productively yes most definitely”

Manipulation and motivation are two sides of the same coin, and if one cannot motivate someone to do a necessary task, manipulating them is a valid alternative.

“If you need someone to do something and you can motivate them, then you should. But if you need someone to do something and you can't motivate them, that's a green light to manipulate them because you still need them to do what you need them to do.”

Being easily offended makes a person easily manipulated, as reactivity allows others to control one's emotional state.

“if I'm easily offended I'm easily manipulated so if you are that person where you are reactive reactive reactive rule number one shut the up cuz if you're looking to be respected you need to manage yourself”

Pathological manipulation is characterized by a total lack of regard for the harm inflicted upon others while prioritizing one's own needs.

“Pathological manipulation is that there's absolutely no regard for the harm it's bringing the other person. You really are giving absolute primacy to your own needs and then making the other person think that this truly is good for them.”

Manipulation is defined as the willingness to use other people to achieve one's own ends.

“Manipulation is just the the willingness to um use other people to your own ends.”

Modern society is currently experiencing a level of psychological manipulation that is pervasive and facilitated by digital media.

“Do you think we're living in the most psychologically manipulated era in human history? Yes. Hands down.”

Manipulation tactics used by individuals with cluster B disorders often involve mimicking pro-social behaviors to gain trust before exploiting the victim.

“The first thing that they typically do is they they either naturally or they become highly skilled at mimicking the pro-social emotions that most human beings think everybody possesses and operates under naturally.”

Erik is a master of manipulation who tailors his stories to exploit the specific vulnerabilities of the people he targets.

“I didn't see it. I saw someone who was in need and that was one of the things that he learned about me in the very beginning. I gave him pretty much a blueprint of who I was. So, he knew exactly what angle to come at me with in order to get something from me.”