Continuing through the summary of the Laws of Human Nature by Robert Greene

Catchphrase is: See the hostility behind the friendly façade.

“Men are not gentle, friendly creatures wishing for love, who simply defend themselves if attacked. A powerful desire for aggression has to be reckoned was part of their endowment.” Freud

Human Aggression
On the surface, people around you appear polite and civil, but underneath the mask we all have an aggressive side to our DNA. People have acted violently and aggressively in the past and present, but we don’t like to think of ourselves as someone capable of such. But human nature is deeply misunderstood in this way. We are wired for aggression, and it is latent in every human. It can be used for good, but can also lead to anti-social behavior and violence. Of course some individuals are more aggressive than others, but we are all capable of slipping toward the negative side of aggression. Human aggression is a spectrum on which all of us dwell in some place.  

The Source of Human Aggression
Human Aggression stems from an underlying insecurity, as opposed to simply an impulse to hurt or take from others. Only humans are able to grasp their own mortality. At any moment we could lose our jobs, or be separated from our partners, which can make us feel frustrated and helpless.  

People who are chronically aggressive are more likely to feel the helplessness and frustrations most might only feel on occasion. These individuals experience chronic insecurity and fragility, and work incredibly hard to hide this by overpowering and controlling others. If you’re around someone like this, understand the behavior stems from underlying insecurities, a deep wound that almost always comes from early childhood. Aggressors see others as objects to control.  

Two Myths to Dispel
1) Humans originally lived in harmony with each other and nature.  
Anthropologists have proven that pre-civilization warfare was every bit as murderous and brutal as anything we know today. There was little peace between us.  

2) Humans used to be aggressive but we’ve mostly overcome that now
Now we are more compassionate and enlightened and led by our ‘better angels. But current events paint a different picture.  

Redirect Your Aggressive Energy
There are three main ways in which aggressive energy is expended.  

1) Controlled Aggression
Channel this energy into your work.

2) Passive Aggression
Channeling aggression towards others through your behavior.  

3) Inward Aggression
Becomes self-loathing

Find out how you usually handle this energy by observing how you respond to frustration and uncertainty. Do you lash out? Or do you internalize the anger and get depressed?

Passive Aggression
It’s various strategies and how to counter them.
Our default strategy is to avoid confrontation and appear sociable and polite. But it’s not always possible to get what we want without making an effort to assert ourselves. 
Sometimes this is necessary to avoid being walked over by others. But some people have a chronic passive aggressive side. Here are some of the strategies employed:

The Subtle Superiority Strategy
This person always comes late, provides an excuse, and an insincere apology.

The Sympathy Strategy
This person plays the victim, but loves the drama and attention.

The Insinuating Doubt Strategy
Making offhand remarks that will make the other person question themselves. For example- “You did quite well on the project for someone at your level.” The point is to make you feel bad and keep you thinking about it for days afterward. The most common reason they do this is envy. It’s best to show their comments have no impact. Their goal is to get a reaction, so don’t give it to them.  

The Blame-Shifter Strategy
When confronted, the response is to shift blame elsewhere. They may convey disbelief that they did anything wrong. The point is to cause you to rethink that maybe you overreacted. The point is to cover up their unpleasant behavior and deflect attention. Counter this by remaining objective and unaffected by their attempts.  

The Passive Tyrant Strategy
This person comes off as impossible to please. They are usually in a superior position.

Controlled Aggression
Your aggression should not be repressed or turned inward. Channel this energy towards real problems you can solve, and use it towards ambitions you’d like to achieve.