--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is necessary to the success of…" description: "\"It is necessary to the success of flattery, that it be accommodated to particular circumstances or characters, and enter the heart on that side where t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1fe/samuel-johnson-50_character_it-is-necessary-to-the-success-of-flatte_205409.png" --- # It is necessary to the success of flattery, that it be… ![“It is necessary to the success of flattery, that it be accommodated to particular circumstances or characters, and enter the heart on that side where the passions are ready to receive it.” quote by Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1fe/samuel-johnson-50_character_it-is-necessary-to-the-success-of-flatte_205409.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1fe/samuel-johnson-50_character_it-is-necessary-to-the-success-of-flatte_205409.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1fe/samuel-johnson-50_character_it-is-necessary-to-the-success-of-flatte_205409.png) > “It is necessary to the success of flattery, that it be accommodated to particular circumstances or characters, and enter the heart on that side where the passions are ready to receive it.” [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Flattery works best when tailored to the individual's character and circumstances, appealing to their emotions to be effective. **In simple terms:** Flattery must fit the person and situation to succeed. Key Takeaway Adapt compliments to the audience. Themes communication psychology influence social dynamics ethics Mood witty reflective cautious Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - public speaking - sales pitches - personal relationships - leadership training Key Concepts rhetoric emotional intelligence persuasion Questions to Reflect On - When is flattery genuine? - How can we ensure honesty in praise? A Different Perspective Overuse can be manipulative and erode trust. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Flattery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flattery/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Passion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passion/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) ## Related quotes > [“In the strange anomaly of my existence, feelings with me had never been of the heart, and my passions always were of the mind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-allan-poe/in-the-strange-anomaly-of-my-existence-feelings-with-me-had-never/) [Edgar Allan Poe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-allan-poe/) > [You implanted your highest goal into the heart of those passions: then they became your virtues and joys.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/you-implanted-your-highest-goal-into-the-heart-of-those-passions-then/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [“He understood how grief can twist a heart, how passions drive good men to folly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/he-understood-how-grief-can-twist-a-heart-how-passions-drive-good-men/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [A principal fruit of friendship, is the ease and discharge of the fullness and swellings of the heart, which passions of all kinds do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/a-principal-fruit-of-friendship-is-the-ease-and-discharge-of-the/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [Focus on you - your soul, spirit, blessing people with who you are, and following your heart's passions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-brooke/focus-on-you-your-soul-spirit-blessing-people-with-who-you-are-and/) [Ally Brooke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-brooke/) > [Pope had been flattered till he thought himself one of the moving powers of the system of life. When he talked of laying down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/pope-had-been-flattered-till-he-thought-himself-one-of-the-moving/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Whosoever shall look heedfully upon those who are eminent for their riches will not think their condition such as that he should hazard his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/whosoever-shall-look-heedfully-upon-those-who-are-eminent-for-their/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Flattery pleases very generally. In the first place, the flatterer may think what he says to be true; but, in the second place, whether…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/flattery-pleases-very-generally-in-the-first-place-the-flatterer-may/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Men are like stone jugs - you may lug them where you like by the ears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/men-are-like-stone-jugs-you-may-lug-them-where-you-like-by-the-ears/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [It was the maxim, I think, of Alphonsus of Aragon, that dead counsellors are safest. The grave puts an end to flattery and artifice,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/it-was-the-maxim-i-think-of-alphonsus-of-aragon-that-dead-counsellors/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [It is scarcely credible to what degree discernment may be dazzled by the mist of pride, and wisdom infatuated by the intoxication of flattery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/it-is-scarcely-credible-to-what-degree-discernment-may-be-dazzled-by/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [You think I love flattery (says Dr. Johnson), and so I do; but a little too much always disgusts me: that fellow Richardson, on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/you-think-i-love-flattery-says-dr-johnson-and-so-i-do-but-a-little/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Solitude is the surest nurse of all prurient passions, and a girl in the hurry of preparation, or tumult of gaiety, has neither inclination…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/solitude-is-the-surest-nurse-of-all-prurient-passions-and-a-girl-in/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [In order that all men may be taught to speak truth, it is necessary that all likewise should learn to hear it; for no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/in-order-that-all-men-may-be-taught-to-speak-truth-it-is-necessary/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [What signifies protesting so against flattery when a person speaks well of one, it must either be true or false, you know if true,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/what-signifies-protesting-so-against-flattery-when-a-person-speaks/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) ## More by Samuel Johnson > [The size of a man's understanding might always be justly measured by his mirth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-size-of-a-man-s-understanding-might-always-be-justly-measured-by/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Pound St. Paul's Church into atoms, and consider any single atom; it is to be sure, good for nothing; but put all these atoms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/pound-st-paul-s-church-into-atoms-and-consider-any-single-atom-it-is/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [You can never be wise unless you love reading.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/you-can-never-be-wise-unless-you-love-reading/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [If our aim is to praise, we should forget to criticize; if our aim is to criticize, we should remember to praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/if-our-aim-is-to-praise-we-should-forget-to-criticize-if-our-aim-is/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [All theory is against free will; all experience is for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/all-theory-is-against-free-will-all-experience-is-for-it/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Had I learned to fiddle, I should have done nothing else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/had-i-learned-to-fiddle-i-should-have-done-nothing-else/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [It is as foolish to make experiments upon the constancy of a friend, as upon the chastity of a wife.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/it-is-as-foolish-to-make-experiments-upon-the-constancy-of-a-friend/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Resolve not to be poor: whatever you have, spend less. 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But a thing is then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-cherubim-were-never-intended-as-an-object-of-worship-because-they/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Nobody has the right to put another under such a difficulty that he must either hurt the person by telling the truth or hurt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/nobody-has-the-right-to-put-another-under-such-a-difficulty-that-he/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [That kind of life is most happy which affords us most opportunities of gaining our own self-esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/that-kind-of-life-is-most-happy-which-affords-us-most-opportunities/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [The time will come to every human being when it must be known how well he can bear to die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-time-will-come-to-every-human-being-when-it-must-be-known-how/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) [Explore all 1,998 Samuel Johnson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) ## More Character quotes > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/) [Robert A. 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You better know what she would do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hudgins/when-you-re-on-a-daytime-drama-you-get-one-page-you-better-damn-well/) David Hudgins > [It can sometimes make people fold into themselves and kind of run away, but I think in this case these characters are being forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/it-can-sometimes-make-people-fold-into-themselves-and-kind-of-run/) [Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/) > [If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. 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