--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: At every trifle, scorn to take offence…" description: "\"At every trifle, scorn to take offence; that always shows great pride, or little sense\" — Alexander Pope" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a9/alexander-pope-235_offence_at-every-trifle-scorn-to-take-offence-th_3164997.png" --- # At every trifle, scorn to take offence; that always shows… ![“At every trifle, scorn to take offence; that always shows great pride, or little sense” quote by Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a9/alexander-pope-235_offence_at-every-trifle-scorn-to-take-offence-th_3164997.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a9/alexander-pope-235_offence_at-every-trifle-scorn-to-take-offence-th_3164997.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a9/alexander-pope-235_offence_at-every-trifle-scorn-to-take-offence-th_3164997.png) > “At every trifle, scorn to take offence; that always shows great pride, or little sense” [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Reacting to minor insults reveals arrogance or lack of judgment. **In simple terms:** Small offenses expose big ego. Key Takeaway Check pride before reacting. Themes humility pride self‑awareness Mood reflective calm Type aphilosophical advice When to use this quote - personal conflicts - online arguments - workplace criticism Key Concepts ego social perception emotional intelligence Questions to Reflect On - Do you often overreact to trivial remarks? - How could humility change the outcome? A Different Perspective Pride can be a defense mechanism masking insecurity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Offence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/offence/) [Pride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pride/) ## Related quotes > [At every trifle take offense, that always shows great pride or little sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/at-every-trifle-take-offense-that-always-shows-great-pride-or-little/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [At every trifle take offence, that always shows great pride or little sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/at-every-trifle-take-offence-that-always-shows-great-pride-or-little/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [What dire offence from am'rous causes springs, What mighty contests rise from trivial things,...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/what-dire-offence-from-am-rous-causes-springs-what-mighty-contests/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Love the offender, yet detest the offense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/love-the-offender-yet-detest-the-offense/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [How shall I lose the sin, yet keep the sense, and love the offender, yet detest the offence?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/how-shall-i-lose-the-sin-yet-keep-the-sense-and-love-the-offender-yet/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Wherever I am, I see the yoke on women in some form or another. On some it sits easy for they are but beasts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abby-may-alcott/wherever-i-am-i-see-the-yoke-on-women-in-some-form-or-another-on-some/) [Abby May Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abby-may-alcott/) > [Give me the strength to raise my mind high above daily trifles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/give-me-the-strength-to-raise-my-mind-high-above-daily-trifles/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“What do you call a rifle with three barrels? A trifle.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-rosenbloom/what-do-you-call-a-rifle-with-three-barrels-a-trifle/) Joseph Rosenbloom > [“The food, as usual in Belgium, was of a nondescript occasional character; indeed I have never been able to detect anything in the nature…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-food-as-usual-in-belgium-was-of-a-nondescript-occasional/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It’s a trifle. It’s got all of these layers. First there’s a layer of ladyfingers, then a layer of jam, then custard, which I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel/it-s-a-trifle-it-s-got-all-of-these-layers-first-there-s-a-layer-of/) [Rachel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel/) > [Revenge is a dish best served unexpectedly and from a distance - like a thrown trifle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hardinge/revenge-is-a-dish-best-served-unexpectedly-and-from-a-distance-like-a/) [Frances Hardinge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hardinge/) > [People only ever cook nine meals in rotation, so we put a survey out to see what people wanted to eat. People said they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-myers/people-only-ever-cook-nine-meals-in-rotation-so-we-put-a-survey-out/) [Dave Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-myers/) > [A trifle is often pregnant with high importance; the prudent man neglects no circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/a-trifle-is-often-pregnant-with-high-importance-the-prudent-man/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [“You are too generous to trifle with me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/you-are-too-generous-to-trifle-with-me/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [“People trifle with love. Now, I deny that love is a strong passion. Fear is the strong passion; it is with fear that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stevenson-robert-louis/people-trifle-with-love-now-i-deny-that-love-is-a-strong-passion-fear/) [Stevenson, Robert Louis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevenson-robert-louis/) ## More by Alexander Pope > [How do we know that we have a right to kill creatures that we are so little above, as dogs, for our curiosity or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/how-do-we-know-that-we-have-a-right-to-kill-creatures-that-we-are-so/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [To wake the soul by tender strokes of art, To raise the genius, and to mend the heart; To make mankind, in conscious virtue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/to-wake-the-soul-by-tender-strokes-of-art-to-raise-the-genius-and-to/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [A mighty maze! But not without a plan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/a-mighty-maze-but-not-without-a-plan/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Let such teach others who themselves excel, And censure freely who have written well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/let-such-teach-others-who-themselves-excel-and-censure-freely-who/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [For I, who hold sage Homer's rule the best, Welcome the coming, speed the going guest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/for-i-who-hold-sage-homer-s-rule-the-best-welcome-the-coming-speed/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Like following life through creatures you dissect, You lose it in the moment you detect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/like-following-life-through-creatures-you-dissect-you-lose-it-in-the/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [When two people compliment each other with the choice of anything, each of them generally gets that which he likes least.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/when-two-people-compliment-each-other-with-the-choice-of-anything/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Such labour'd nothings, in so strange a style, Amaze th' unlearn'd and make the learned smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/such-labour-d-nothings-in-so-strange-a-style-amaze-th-unlearn-d-and/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/charms-strike-the-sight-but-merit-wins-the-soul/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [She went from opera, park, assembly, play, To morning walks, and prayers three hours a day. To part her time 'twixt reading and bohea,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/she-went-from-opera-park-assembly-play-to-morning-walks-and-prayers/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [I am satisfied to trifle away my time, rather than let it stick by me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/i-am-satisfied-to-trifle-away-my-time-rather-than-let-it-stick-by-me/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [The greatest advantage I know of being thought a wit by the world is, that it gives one the greater freedom of playing the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/the-greatest-advantage-i-know-of-being-thought-a-wit-by-the-world-is/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Then say not Man's imperfect,Heav'n in fault; Say rather, Man's as perfect ashe ought:](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/then-say-not-man-s-imperfect-heav-n-in-fault-say-rather-man-s-as/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [First follow Nature, and your judgment frame By her just standard, which is still the same: Unerring nature, still divinely bright, One clear, unchanged,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/first-follow-nature-and-your-judgment-frame-by-her-just-standard/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Who shall decide when doctors disagree, And soundest casuists doubt, like you and me?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/who-shall-decide-when-doctors-disagree-and-soundest-casuists-doubt/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) [Explore all 850 Alexander Pope quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) ## More Offence quotes > [The Fraud Act 2006 makes it perfectly clear that Libor rigging is prosecutable as a criminal offence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-thornberry/the-fraud-act-2006-makes-it-perfectly-clear-that-libor-rigging-is/) [Emily Thornberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-thornberry/) > [“Offence is like muddy soil; when trapped underfoot, it resists rapid progress. Don't trap offences under your mind, else you resist change! Jesus said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/offence-is-like-muddy-soil-when-trapped-underfoot-it-resists-rapid/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [In such a time as this it is not meet That every nice offence should bear his comment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/in-such-a-time-as-this-it-is-not-meet-that-every-nice-offence-should/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [It ought to be a criminal offence for women to dye their hair. Especially red. What the devil do women do that sort of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-ought-to-be-a-criminal-offence-for-women-to-dye-their-hair/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Now 'South Park' - they are interested in blasphemy. They're interested in creating offence for its own sake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-baddiel/now-south-park-they-are-interested-in-blasphemy-they-re-interested-in/) [David Baddiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-baddiel/) > [What do you care? You always liked loneliness better than you liked people. No offence liking yourself's the beginning of all love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fritz-leiber/what-do-you-care-you-always-liked-loneliness-better-than-you-liked/) [Fritz Leiber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fritz-leiber/) > [“To know if someone can speak offensively or politely, don’t give him poem to recite; don’t give him a song to sing. Just engage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/to-know-if-someone-can-speak-offensively-or-politely-don-t-give-him/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [“Leaders create influence with the clays of criticism others throw at them. They don't take offence; they take corrections.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/leaders-create-influence-with-the-clays-of-criticism-others-throw-at/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [On September 17, 1914, Erzberger, the well-known German statesman, an eminent member of the Catholic Party, wrote to the Minister of War, General von…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-clemenceau/on-september-17-1914-erzberger-the-well-known-german-statesman-an/) [Georges Clemenceau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-clemenceau/) > [I was in Estonia when a professor asked me if I was aware that making any criticism of the Red Army during the war…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antony-beevor/i-was-in-estonia-when-a-professor-asked-me-if-i-was-aware-that-making/) [Antony Beevor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antony-beevor/) > [We have come to think of taking offence as a fundamental right. We value very little more highly than our rage, which gives us,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/we-have-come-to-think-of-taking-offence-as-a-fundamental-right-we/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [“No man lives without jostling and being jostled; in all ways he has to elbow himself through the world, giving and receiving offense.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-carlyle/no-man-lives-without-jostling-and-being-jostled-in-all-ways-he-has-to/) [Thomas Carlyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-carlyle/) > [There's a difference between maliciously offending somebody - on purpose - and somebody being offended by...truth. If you're offended by the truth, that's your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-stine/there-s-a-difference-between-maliciously-offending-somebody-on/) [Brad Stine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-stine/) > [When Bobby came into the league he was a rushing defenseman, a goal scorer and a point getter. He just opened the game up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-bucyk/when-bobby-came-into-the-league-he-was-a-rushing-defenseman-a-goal/) Johnny Bucyk > [Once I was on a plane and a woman said to me, 'Now, what's the matter with my tomatoes?' And I said, 'Well, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-titchmarsh/once-i-was-on-a-plane-and-a-woman-said-to-me-now-what-s-the-matter/) [Alan Titchmarsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-titchmarsh/) [Browse all 246 Offence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/offence/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "At every trifle, scorn to take offence; that always shows great pride, or little sense", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Alexander Pope" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/at-every-trifle-scorn-to-take-offence-that-always-shows-great-pride/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Offence" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/at-every-trifle-scorn-to-take-offence-that-always-shows-great-pride/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a9/alexander-pope-235_offence_at-every-trifle-scorn-to-take-offence-th_3164997.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a9/alexander-pope-235_offence_at-every-trifle-scorn-to-take-offence-th_3164997.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a9/alexander-pope-235_offence_at-every-trifle-scorn-to-take-offence-th_3164997.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“At every trifle, scorn to take offence; that always shows great pride, or little sense” — Alexander Pope", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Alexander Pope", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "At every trifle, scorn to take...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/at-every-trifle-scorn-to-take-offence-that-always-shows-great-pride/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/at-every-trifle-scorn-to-take-offence-that-always-shows-great-pride/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```