--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you can once engage people's pride…" description: "\"If you can once engage people's pride, love, pity, ambition (or whatever is their prevailing passion) on your side, you need not fear what their reason..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ca/lord-chesterfield-757_leadership_if-you-can-once-engage-people-s-pride-lo_1366533.jpg" --- # If you can once engage people's pride, love, pity… ![“If you can once engage people's pride, love, pity, ambition (or whatever is their prevailing passion) on your side, you need not fear what their reason can do against you.” quote by Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ca/lord-chesterfield-757_leadership_if-you-can-once-engage-people-s-pride-lo_1366533.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ca/lord-chesterfield-757_leadership_if-you-can-once-engage-people-s-pride-lo_1366533.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ca/lord-chesterfield-757_leadership_if-you-can-once-engage-people-s-pride-lo_1366533.jpg) > “If you can once engage people's pride, love, pity, ambition (or whatever is their prevailing passion) on your side, you need not fear what their reason can do against you.” [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Engaging people's core passions can outweigh rational arguments, making emotional appeal a powerful persuasion tool **In simple terms:** Appeal to emotions to win support Key Takeaway Use emotional resonance rather than pure logic in persuasion Themes politics leadership psychology Mood strategic analytical Type persuasive cautionary When to use this quote - campaign speeches - marketing pitches - team motivation Key Concepts emotional intelligence motivation social influence Questions to Reflect On - What emotions are most effective in your context? - How do you guard against emotional manipulation? A Different Perspective Rational critique may still undermine decisions if emotions are manipulated ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Pride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pride/) ## Related quotes > [If you can once engage people's pride, love, pity, ambition on your side, you need not fear what their reason can do against you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-can-once-engage-people-s-pride-love-pity-ambition-on-your-side/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Even as people take pride in their national independence, we know we are becoming more and more interdependent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/even-as-people-take-pride-in-their-national-independence-we-know-we/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) > [I believe that people should take pride in what they do, even if it is scorned or misunderstood by the public at large.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-hawk/i-believe-that-people-should-take-pride-in-what-they-do-even-if-it-is/) [Tony Hawk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-hawk/) > [People who take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-b-macaulay/people-who-take-no-pride-in-the-noble-achievements-of-remote/) [Thomas B. Macaulay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-b-macaulay/) > [Chicago is incredibly gracious. People here have so much pride.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giuliana-rancic/chicago-is-incredibly-gracious-people-here-have-so-much-pride/) [Giuliana Rancic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giuliana-rancic/) > [At the deepest level, pride is the choice to exclude both God and other people from their rightful place in our hearts. Jesus said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ortberg/at-the-deepest-level-pride-is-the-choice-to-exclude-both-god-and/) [John Ortberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ortberg/) > [I want people to take pride in Spanish Harlem. These are people that everyone in the community could relate to... people who mean something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-de-la-vega/i-want-people-to-take-pride-in-spanish-harlem-these-are-people-that/) [James de la Vega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-de-la-vega/) > [“That's what's so paradoxical. First of all, they take our people's pride, and when it's gone they're scared to death of treading on it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-nesb/that-s-what-s-so-paradoxical-first-of-all-they-take-our-people-s/) [Jo Nesbø](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-nesb/) > [“The best thing about coming out is, it's totally liberating. You feel like you've made this incredible discovery about yourself and you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-anne-peters/the-best-thing-about-coming-out-is-it-s-totally-liberating-you-feel/) [Julie Anne Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-anne-peters/) > [Always be kind to people you meet and associate with because life has a funny way of dealing with people's pride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bubbles/always-be-kind-to-people-you-meet-and-associate-with-because-life-has/) [Bubbles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bubbles/) > [You can't give people pride, but you can provide the kind of understanding that makes people look to their inner strengths and find their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charleszetta-waddles/you-can-t-give-people-pride-but-you-can-provide-the-kind-of/) [Charleszetta Waddles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charleszetta-waddles/) > [Hunger brings people down, but pride can help them get up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/hunger-brings-people-down-but-pride-can-help-them-get-up/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [“It's my job to see it." "It's your gift," she corrected. "Your family must be proud of you." She spoke casually, began to eat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-roberts/it-s-my-job-to-see-it-it-s-your-gift-she-corrected-your-family-must/) [Nora Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-roberts/) > [The more pride we have, the more other people’s pride irritates us](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/the-more-pride-we-have-the-more-other-people-s-pride-irritates-us/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [ \[It's\] difficult to engage people in politics when they believe that what really matters is where they personally stand. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-krastev/it-s-difficult-to-engage-people-in-politics-when-they-believe-that/) [Ivan Krastev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivan-krastev/) ## More by Lord Chesterfield > [Cultivate the habit of thinking ahead, and of anticipating the necessary and immediate consequences of all your actions… Likewise in your pleasures, ask yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/cultivate-the-habit-of-thinking-ahead-and-of-anticipating-the/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [No woman ever yet either reasoned or acted long together consequentially; but some little thing, some love, some resentment, somepresent momentary interest, some supposed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/no-woman-ever-yet-either-reasoned-or-acted-long-together/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [I am in the pitiable situation of feeling all the force of temptation without having the strength to succumb to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/i-am-in-the-pitiable-situation-of-feeling-all-the-force-of-temptation/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [Mankind is made up of inconsistencies, and no man acts invariably up to his predominant character. The wisest man sometimes acts weakly, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/mankind-is-made-up-of-inconsistencies-and-no-man-acts-invariably-up/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [Compliments of congratulation are always kindly taken, and cost nothing but pen, ink and paper. I consider them as draughts upon good breeding, where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/compliments-of-congratulation-are-always-kindly-taken-and-cost/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [The insolent civility of a proud man is, if possible, more shocking than his rudeness could be; because he shows you, by his manner,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/the-insolent-civility-of-a-proud-man-is-if-possible-more-shocking/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [“Secret thoughts and an open countenance will take you safely the world over”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/secret-thoughts-and-an-open-countenance-will-take-you-safely-the/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [Virtue and learning, like gold, have their intrinsic value: but if they are not polished, they certainly lose a great deal of their luster:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/virtue-and-learning-like-gold-have-their-intrinsic-value-but-if-they/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [Knowledge is a comfortable and necessary retreat and shelter for us in an advanced age; and if we do not plant it while young,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/knowledge-is-a-comfortable-and-necessary-retreat-and-shelter-for-us/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [Promptness is the soul of business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/promptness-is-the-soul-of-business/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [Style is the dress of thoughts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/style-is-the-dress-of-thoughts/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [It is commonly said that ridicule is the best test of truth; for that it will not stick where it is not just. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/it-is-commonly-said-that-ridicule-is-the-best-test-of-truth-for-that/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [There is hardly any place or any company where you may not gain knowledge, if you please; almost everybody knows some one thing, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/there-is-hardly-any-place-or-any-company-where-you-may-not-gain/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [Assurance and intrepidity, under the white banner of seeming modesty, clear the way for merit, that would otherwise be discouraged by difficulties...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/assurance-and-intrepidity-under-the-white-banner-of-seeming-modesty/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [“Many a man would rather you heard his story than grant his request.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/many-a-man-would-rather-you-heard-his-story-than-grant-his-request/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) [Explore all 378 Lord Chesterfield quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) ## More Leadership quotes > [“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. 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And America looks to its Corps of Marines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/today-the-world-looks-to-america-for-leadership-and-america-looks-to/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [“Under the treaty of Sevres in 1920 Greece had been given Smyrna, and by 1922 the Greek army was trying to push its way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-faulks/under-the-treaty-of-sevres-in-1920-greece-had-been-given-smyrna-and/) [Sebastian Faulks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-faulks/) > [“If you're focused, you can't get bored.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alin-sav/if-you-re-focused-you-can-t-get-bored/) [Alin Sav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alin-sav/) > [Some people you speak to you speak into their heads. It's logical.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-hunt/some-people-you-speak-to-you-speak-into-their-heads-it-s-logical/) [Johnny Hunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-hunt/) > [If the media is sending girls the message that their value lies in their bodies, this can only leave them feeling disempowered and distract…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-siebel-newsom/if-the-media-is-sending-girls-the-message-that-their-value-lies-in/) Jennifer Siebel Newsom > [Leaders need to compromise, negotiate with members of both parties and ideologies, and reform health care the right way - by developing a strong…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-boustany/leaders-need-to-compromise-negotiate-with-members-of-both-parties-and/) [Charles Boustany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-boustany/) > [If you have a different mindset, you will have a different outcome: if you make different choices from your peers, your life will then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/if-you-have-a-different-mindset-you-will-have-a-different-outcome-if/) [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) > [“If attempting to make the world a civilized one, makes you a bad woman in the eyes of the dumb patriarchal society, then, by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/if-attempting-to-make-the-world-a-civilized-one-makes-you-a-bad-woman/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [I don't look at myself as a basketball coach. I look at myself as a leader who happens to coach basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/i-don-t-look-at-myself-as-a-basketball-coach-i-look-at-myself-as-a/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [No judge can stop us from praying for our country and I pray that on May 6, millions of Americans will join me in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-graham/no-judge-can-stop-us-from-praying-for-our-country-and-i-pray-that-on/) [Franklin Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-graham/) > [Islam never differentiates between men and women as regards political rights and puts them on an equal footing. However, even if a woman is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yusuf-al-qaradawi/islam-never-differentiates-between-men-and-women-as-regards-political/) [Yusuf al-Qaradawi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yusuf-al-qaradawi/) > [You can have Asians being leading men that are sex symbols. 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