The Laws of Human Nature

Greene follows the same structure as in the previous sections, but in these chapters, he deepens his exploration of the psychological and interpersonal dynamics that shape human behavior. He moves beyond individual ambition and strategy to examine how people relate to others—how they soften resistance, overcome self-sabotaging tendencies, and confront their repressed emotions. As with all the stories in each section, the historical stories do not follow a linear pattern, reinforcing the idea that these laws of human nature apply across different eras and contexts.

The book’s argument that human nature is flawed, unconscious, and an ongoing problem is reflected through the destructive patterns of thought that plagued Anton Chekhov’s family until he chose to let go of his resentments and change his attitude to a more positive one, allowing him to break the cycle. Lyndon Baines Johnson also shows the ability to push back against the flaws of nature by working with others patiently and empathetically. The flawed nature of humanity is reflected in the reveal of Richard Nixon’s corruption and insecurities during the Watergate Scandal that ended his political career. Taken together, these figures illustrate Greene’s core thesis: Those who master their own psychology and understand the psychological vulnerabilities of others will succeed, while those who deny or repress their weaknesses will inevitably self-destruct.

The figures explored in this section are Russian author, doctor, and philosopher Anton Chekhov and American presidents Lyndon Baines Johnson and Richard Nixon. Anton Chekhov and his family show how negative attitudes and a lack of self-awareness and understanding of others can put people on paths of self-destruction and damage to others. Anton initially struggled with resentment and distress about his circumstances in Taganrog, but in his isolation, he began to look at his parents’ lives and forgave his father for his abuse, knowing it came from his own trauma. This act of forgiveness did not absolve his father’s abuse, but it freed Chekhov from the emotional burden of his past, allowing him to become one of the most influential literary figures of his time. He also used his fame to write about the horrible conditions of the Sakhalin Island prison, leading to reforms, and was able to accept life’s hardships, even as he was dying from tuberculosis. Chekhov’s ability to shift his perspective rather than succumb to bitterness exemplifies Greene’s argument that reframing one’s attitude is a powerful tool for personal and social transformation.

Lyndon Baines Johnson was another figure who demonstrated the power of psychological insight. He was able to work past people’s natural defensiveness by affirming their self-perception and carefully guiding their decisions without making them feel manipulated. Johnson’s talent for understanding people’s needs, fears, and aspirations allowed him to build alliances across political divides, which was crucial to his success in American politics. By making people feel understood and respected, he earned their loyalty, a tactic that Greene argues is invaluable for influence in both personal and professional settings. 

In contrast, Nixon serves as a cautionary tale of what happens when one represses rather than integrates their shadow side. While he cultivated an image of strength, control, and intelligence, his deep-rooted insecurity and feelings of inadequacy festered beneath the surface. Rather than addressing these emotions, he overcompensated with secrecy, paranoia, and increasingly aggressive tactics. His need to dominate his opponents rather than win them over, coupled with his obsession with surveillance and control, ultimately led to the Watergate Scandal and his resignation. Nixon’s story exemplifies the dangers of ignoring one’s unconscious drives—what remains hidden does not disappear but grows in power, often surfacing in destructive ways.

The Psychological Underpinnings of Behavior are critical to understanding the laws of repression, defensiveness, and self-sabotage. The more people suppress their insecurities, the more powerfully those insecurities shape their actions. This leads to people doing destructive and terrible things they would not normally do, becoming more power-hungry, selfish, judgmental, aggressive, and dishonest. Childhood traumas, such as Nixon’s childhood neglect by his father, can also feed shadows. Self-sabotaging behaviors can also be caused by unaddressed feelings of anger, fear, and sadness, which will consume a person if they do not catch those behaviors and change their attitudes. People also tend to see themselves as more in control of themselves than they truly are, wanting to see themselves as smart and good, making them more susceptible to power struggles, self-sabotage, and erratic decision-making. Similarly, self-sabotaging behaviors often stem from unresolved internal conflicts, whether in the form of anxiety, resentment, or limiting beliefs that distort one’s perception of reality. 

Greene uses imagery in his vivid recollections of Johnson’s and Nixon’s political careers and in the telling of Anton Chekhov’s story of healing from his family trauma and his adoption of a positive attitude. He also uses ethos with Johnson and Chekhov to show how those historical figures challenged the laws of defensiveness and self-sabotage by using empathy, as well as with the quotes he uses from other figures. By grounding these lessons in historical context, Greene reinforces the universality of his insights, showing that the laws of human nature transcend time and culture.