--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Always remember this: There are only…" description: "\"Always remember this: There are only eighteen inches between a pat on the back and a kick in the rump.\" — Hattie McDaniel" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/033/hattie-mcdaniel-19925_eighteen_always-remember-this-there-are-only-eigh_2340471.jpg" --- # Always remember this: There are only eighteen inches… ![“Always remember this: There are only eighteen inches between a pat on the back and a kick in the rump.” quote by Hattie McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/033/hattie-mcdaniel-19925_eighteen_always-remember-this-there-are-only-eigh_2340471.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/033/hattie-mcdaniel-19925_eighteen_always-remember-this-there-are-only-eigh_2340471.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/033/hattie-mcdaniel-19925_eighteen_always-remember-this-there-are-only-eigh_2340471.jpg) > “Always remember this: There are only eighteen inches between a pat on the back and a kick in the rump.” [Hattie McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hattie-mcdaniel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote warns that praise can quickly turn into criticism if not sincere. **In simple terms:** Backhanded compliments can become insults. Key Takeaway Treat praise with humility and watch for hidden criticism. Themes communication humor power dynamics Mood cautious reflective Type advice humorous When to use this quote - workplace feedback - personal relationships - public speaking - media interviews Key Concepts sarcasm social cues trust boundaries Questions to Reflect On - When have you sensed a compliment was actually a warning? - How can you respond to mixed messages? A Different Perspective Not all compliments are genuine; some may mask resentment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Kicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kicks/) ## Related quotes > [The longest journey one must take is eighteen inches from his head to heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-longest-journey-one-must-take-is-eighteen-inches-from-his-head-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“As the saying goes, “The longest journey that people must take is the eighteen inches between their heads and their hearts.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mackey/as-the-saying-goes-the-longest-journey-that-people-must-take-is-the/) [John Mackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mackey/) > [The longest journey a man must take is the eighteen inches from his head to his heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/proverb/the-longest-journey-a-man-must-take-is-the-eighteen-inches-from-his/) Proverb > [In a pond koi can reach lengths of eighteen inches. Amazingly, when placed in a lake, koi can grow to three feet long. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-poscente/in-a-pond-koi-can-reach-lengths-of-eighteen-inches-amazingly-when/) [Vince Poscente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-poscente/) > [She explained that the bullet had entered through the side of my left eye where there was a scar, traveled eighteen inches down to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malala-yousafzai/she-explained-that-the-bullet-had-entered-through-the-side-of-my-left/) [Malala Yousafzai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malala-yousafzai/) > [Eighteen months ago I weighed 95kg and had a 40-inch waist. Now the waist is down to 34 inches and I weigh nearly 98kg.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-westwood/eighteen-months-ago-i-weighed-95kg-and-had-a-40-inch-waist-now-the/) [Lee Westwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-westwood/) > [My first real acting job was 'Skins' at eighteen years old, and I just kind of grew into myself in those two years; I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-pasqualino/my-first-real-acting-job-was-skins-at-eighteen-years-old-and-i-just/) [Luke Pasqualino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-pasqualino/) > [“So, what do you know about life when you’re eighteen? The rest of your life is nothing but a bunch of big beautiful tomorrows.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-abrams/so-what-do-you-know-about-life-when-you-re-eighteen-the-rest-of-your/) Lauren Abrams > [“On my birthday, every year since I turned eighteen, she called me at twelve twenty in the morning to wish me happy birthday and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-a-webb/on-my-birthday-every-year-since-i-turned-eighteen-she-called-me-at/) [T.A. Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-a-webb/) > [“She escaped from the schools when she turned eighteen. And she went on to be a Doctor, because the only way to fight what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leah-bobet/she-escaped-from-the-schools-when-she-turned-eighteen-and-she-went-on/) [Leah Bobet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leah-bobet/) > [“It was only as he put his hand on the door that he became aware of complete silence beyond it, a silence which he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-faulkner/it-was-only-as-he-put-his-hand-on-the-door-that-he-became-aware-of/) [William Faulkner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-faulkner/) > [“Caleb frowns at him. "How old are you, anyway?" "Eighteen." "And you don't think you're too old to be with my little sister?" Tobias…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/caleb-frowns-at-him-how-old-are-you-anyway-eighteen-and-you-don-t/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [My first encounter with yoga was in 1969 with my older brother Doug. I was thirteen years old, and he was eighteen. He'd learned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-f-swensen/my-first-encounter-with-yoga-was-in-1969-with-my-older-brother-doug-i/) [David F. Swensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-f-swensen/) > [By the age of eighteen, a human has acquired enough joy and heartache to provide the food of reflection for a century.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/by-the-age-of-eighteen-a-human-has-acquired-enough-joy-and-heartache/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [Common sense is nothing more than a deposit of prejudices laid down in the mind before you reach eighteen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/common-sense-is-nothing-more-than-a-deposit-of-prejudices-laid-down/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) ## More by Hattie McDaniel > [You can best fight any existing evil from the inside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hattie-mcdaniel/you-can-best-fight-any-existing-evil-from-the-inside/) [Hattie McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hattie-mcdaniel/) > [Putting a little time aside for clean fun and good humor is very necessary to relieve the tensions of our time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hattie-mcdaniel/putting-a-little-time-aside-for-clean-fun-and-good-humor-is-very/) [Hattie McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hattie-mcdaniel/) > [I did my best, and God did the rest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hattie-mcdaniel/i-did-my-best-and-god-did-the-rest/) [Hattie McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hattie-mcdaniel/) > [It sure looks good to see an honest-to-goodness audience after looking at you all for so long from the silver screen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hattie-mcdaniel/it-sure-looks-good-to-see-an-honest-to-goodness-audience-after/) [Hattie McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hattie-mcdaniel/) > [The entire race is usually judged by the actions of one man or woman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hattie-mcdaniel/the-entire-race-is-usually-judged-by-the-actions-of-one-man-or-woman/) [Hattie McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hattie-mcdaniel/) > [That's a powerful lucky rabbit's foot. I got the part in Gone With the Wind because of it. I got my Warner contract, thanks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hattie-mcdaniel/that-s-a-powerful-lucky-rabbit-s-foot-i-got-the-part-in-gone-with-the/) [Hattie McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hattie-mcdaniel/) > [When I was little, my mother taught me how to use a fork and knife. The trouble is that Mother forget to teach me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hattie-mcdaniel/when-i-was-little-my-mother-taught-me-how-to-use-a-fork-and-knife-the/) [Hattie McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hattie-mcdaniel/) > [I always have the best of everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hattie-mcdaniel/i-always-have-the-best-of-everything/) [Hattie McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hattie-mcdaniel/) > [Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, fellow members of the motion picture industry and honored guests: This is one of the happiest moments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hattie-mcdaniel/academy-of-motion-picture-arts-and-sciences-fellow-members-of-the/) [Hattie McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hattie-mcdaniel/) > [I've played everything but a harp.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hattie-mcdaniel/i-ve-played-everything-but-a-harp/) [Hattie McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hattie-mcdaniel/) > [A woman's gifts will make room for her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hattie-mcdaniel/a-woman-s-gifts-will-make-room-for-her/) [Hattie McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hattie-mcdaniel/) > [Why should I complain about making $700 a week playing a maid? If I didn't, I'd be making $7 a week being one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hattie-mcdaniel/why-should-i-complain-about-making-700-a-week-playing-a-maid-if-i/) [Hattie McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hattie-mcdaniel/) > [I sincerely hope that I shall always be a credit to my race, and to the motion picture industry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hattie-mcdaniel/i-sincerely-hope-that-i-shall-always-be-a-credit-to-my-race-and-to/) [Hattie McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hattie-mcdaniel/) > [Bob Hope, Red Skelton, and Eddie Cantor... help us keep our balance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hattie-mcdaniel/bob-hope-red-skelton-and-eddie-cantor-help-us-keep-our-balance/) [Hattie McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hattie-mcdaniel/) > [My desire for the part of Mammy was not dominated by selfishness for Hollywood has been good to me and I am grateful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hattie-mcdaniel/my-desire-for-the-part-of-mammy-was-not-dominated-by-selfishness-for/) [Hattie McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hattie-mcdaniel/) [Explore all 30 Hattie McDaniel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hattie-mcdaniel/) ## More Eighteen quotes > [Common sense is nothing more than a deposit of prejudices laid down in the mind before you reach eighteen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/common-sense-is-nothing-more-than-a-deposit-of-prejudices-laid-down/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [By the age of eighteen, a human has acquired enough joy and heartache to provide the food of reflection for a century.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/by-the-age-of-eighteen-a-human-has-acquired-enough-joy-and-heartache/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [My first encounter with yoga was in 1969 with my older brother Doug. I was thirteen years old, and he was eighteen. He'd learned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-f-swensen/my-first-encounter-with-yoga-was-in-1969-with-my-older-brother-doug-i/) [David F. Swensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-f-swensen/) > [“Caleb frowns at him. "How old are you, anyway?" "Eighteen." "And you don't think you're too old to be with my little sister?" Tobias…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/caleb-frowns-at-him-how-old-are-you-anyway-eighteen-and-you-don-t/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“It was only as he put his hand on the door that he became aware of complete silence beyond it, a silence which he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-faulkner/it-was-only-as-he-put-his-hand-on-the-door-that-he-became-aware-of/) [William Faulkner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-faulkner/) > [“She escaped from the schools when she turned eighteen. And she went on to be a Doctor, because the only way to fight what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leah-bobet/she-escaped-from-the-schools-when-she-turned-eighteen-and-she-went-on/) [Leah Bobet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leah-bobet/) > [“On my birthday, every year since I turned eighteen, she called me at twelve twenty in the morning to wish me happy birthday and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-a-webb/on-my-birthday-every-year-since-i-turned-eighteen-she-called-me-at/) [T.A. Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-a-webb/) > [“So, what do you know about life when you’re eighteen? The rest of your life is nothing but a bunch of big beautiful tomorrows.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-abrams/so-what-do-you-know-about-life-when-you-re-eighteen-the-rest-of-your/) Lauren Abrams > [My first real acting job was 'Skins' at eighteen years old, and I just kind of grew into myself in those two years; I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-pasqualino/my-first-real-acting-job-was-skins-at-eighteen-years-old-and-i-just/) [Luke Pasqualino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-pasqualino/) > [Eighteen months before I was born, my mother was in Auschwitz. She weighed 49 pounds. She always told me that God saved her so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-von-furstenberg/eighteen-months-before-i-was-born-my-mother-was-in-auschwitz-she/) [Diane von Furstenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-von-furstenberg/) > [“Forever feels a long time when you're eighteen. When you're away from home for the first time in your life, when you forge instant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-green/forever-feels-a-long-time-when-you-re-eighteen-when-you-re-away-from/) [Jane Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-green/) > [I remember the first time I went to Italy when I was eighteen, I was in Florence and there were all these eighteen, nineteen,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-kirn/i-remember-the-first-time-i-went-to-italy-when-i-was-eighteen-i-was/) [Walter Kirn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-kirn/) > [Seventeen's not so young. A hundred years ago people got married when they were practically our age." "Yeah, that was before electricity and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-han/seventeen-s-not-so-young-a-hundred-years-ago-people-got-married-when/) [Jenny Han](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-han/) > [ Elle Fanning was fifteen when we started \[The Neon Demon\]. She turned seventeen during the shoot. Four weeks before Cannes, she turned eighteen. She… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-winding-refn/elle-fanning-was-fifteen-when-we-started-the-neon-demon-she-turned/) [Nicolas Winding Refn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-winding-refn/) > [Anyone that has come to America past the age of eighteen will be able to understand when I say that you can never shake…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-yan/anyone-that-has-come-to-america-past-the-age-of-eighteen-will-be-able/) [Martin Yan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-yan/) Browse all 465 Eighteen quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Always remember this: There are only eighteen inches between a pat on the back and a kick in the rump.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Hattie McDaniel" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hattie-mcdaniel/always-remember-this-there-are-only-eighteen-inches-between-a-pat-on/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Eighteen" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hattie-mcdaniel/always-remember-this-there-are-only-eighteen-inches-between-a-pat-on/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/033/hattie-mcdaniel-19925_eighteen_always-remember-this-there-are-only-eigh_2340471.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/033/hattie-mcdaniel-19925_eighteen_always-remember-this-there-are-only-eigh_2340471.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/033/hattie-mcdaniel-19925_eighteen_always-remember-this-there-are-only-eigh_2340471.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Always remember this: There are only eighteen inches between a pat on the back and a kick in the rump.” — Hattie McDaniel", "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": "Hattie McDaniel", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hattie-mcdaniel/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Always remember this: There are only...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hattie-mcdaniel/always-remember-this-there-are-only-eighteen-inches-between-a-pat-on/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hattie-mcdaniel/always-remember-this-there-are-only-eighteen-inches-between-a-pat-on/#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 } } ] } ```