Accustomed Quote by Hester Lynch Piozzi
![“[Samuel] Johnson's conversation was by much too strong for a person accustomed to obsequiousness and flattery; it was mustard in a young child's mouth!” quote by Hester Lynch Piozzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bd9/hester-lynch-piozzi-27737_accustomed_samuel-johnson-s-conversation-was-by-muc_568232.jpg)
“[Samuel] Johnson's conversation was by much too strong for a person accustomed to obsequiousness and flattery; it was mustard in a young child's mouth!”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Correspondence with Samuel Johnson, 1775
The speaker finds Johnson's bluntness overwhelming compared to usual flattery, likening it to a harsh taste for a child.
In simple terms: Johnson's directness feels too strong for someone used to praise.
Key Takeaway
Beware of overly harsh communication.
Themes
communication
flattery
honesty
Mood
discomfort
reflection
Type
advice
observational
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- professional mentorship
- public speaking
Key Concepts
social dynamics
power imbalance
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you prefer gentle encouragement or frank critique?
- How does cultural context affect perception of bluntness?
A Different Perspective
Harsh truth can alienate listeners.
![“Mr. Langton one day asked him [Samuel Johnson] how he had acquired so accurate a knowledge of Latin, in which, I believe, he was exceeded by no man of his time; he said, 'My master whipt me very well. Without that, Sir, I should have done nothing.' He told Mr. Langton, that while Hunter was…” quote by James Boswell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/06b/james-boswell-7136_brothers-and-sisters_mr-langton-one-day-asked-him-samuel-john_491021.jpg)
![“In comparing these two writers, he [Samuel Johnson] used this expression: "that there was as great a difference between them as between a man who knew how a watch was made, and a man who could tell the hour by looking on the dial-plate." This was a short and a figurative statement of his…” quote by James Boswell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f19/james-boswell-7136_brighter_in-comparing-these-two-writers-he-samuel_445768.jpg)
