"Popularity, I have always thought, may aptly be compared to a coquette - the more you woo her, the more apt is she to elude your embrace"

This quote by John Tyler is a metaphor comparing appeal to a coquette, a flirty woman. Tyler suggests that the more one attempts to get popularity, the more evasive it ends up being. This is because popularity is frequently based upon the opinions of others, and those opinions can be unforeseeable and difficult to manage. Tyler's quote implies that appeal is an unpredictable thing, and it is challenging to preserve. It is a suggestion that a person must not be too focused on acquiring popularity, as it is frequently short lived and tough to keep. Rather, one should focus on being real to themselves and their worths, as that is the most essential thing.