--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: 'Take offense at the drop of a hat' is…" description: "\"'Take offense at the drop of a hat' is the unwritten eleventh commandment.\" — Richard Dawkins" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e7/richard-dawkins-115_atheism_take-offense-at-the-drop-of-a-hat-is-the_909609.jpg" --- # 'Take offense at the drop of a hat' is the unwritten… ![“'Take offense at the drop of a hat' is the unwritten eleventh commandment.” quote by Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e7/richard-dawkins-115_atheism_take-offense-at-the-drop-of-a-hat-is-the_909609.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e7/richard-dawkins-115_atheism_take-offense-at-the-drop-of-a-hat-is-the_909609.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e7/richard-dawkins-115_atheism_take-offense-at-the-drop-of-a-hat-is-the_909609.jpg) > “'Take offense at the drop of a hat' is the unwritten eleventh commandment.” [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The phrase warns against being overly sensitive, suggesting it’s an unwritten rule to stay resilient. **In simple terms:** Don’t get easily offended; stay resilient. Key Takeaway Cultivate thick skin. Themes resilience social norms emotional control etiquette Mood serious reflective advisory Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - workplace interactions - online discussions - public speaking Key Concepts sensitivity social pressure personal boundaries Questions to Reflect On - When have you chosen to let minor slights pass? - How does this rule affect relationships? A Different Perspective Over-sensitivity can hinder empathy and openness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) [Commandment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commandment/) [Commandments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commandments/) [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Hats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hats/) ## Related quotes > [“The eleventh commandment of art: thou shalt not be boring.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-m-driscoll/the-eleventh-commandment-of-art-thou-shalt-not-be-boring/) [W.M. Driscoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-m-driscoll/) > [The eleventh commandment of a motion picture negotiation: Thou shalt not take less than thy last deal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gregory-dunne/the-eleventh-commandment-of-a-motion-picture-negotiation-thou-shalt/) [John Gregory Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gregory-dunne/) > [Eleventh Commandment: Thou shalt not distort, delay, or sequester information](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donella-meadows/eleventh-commandment-thou-shalt-not-distort-delay-or-sequester/) [Donella Meadows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donella-meadows/) > [The eleventh commandment: Thou shalt be tolerant of all paths that lead to God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-cook/the-eleventh-commandment-thou-shalt-be-tolerant-of-all-paths-that/) [James Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-cook/) > [“..people do need some commandment to rule over them in our century, when god's ten have been virtually forgotten! the whole moral structure of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/people-do-need-some-commandment-to-rule-over-them-in-our-century-when/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [There's no eleventh commandment, "Thou shalt commit civil disobedience," There's no eleventh commandment, "Thou shalt not." 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Bevill > [The eleventh commandment, "Thou shalt not be found out" is despicable, but nevertheless, it is the one thing you can never get away from.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-post/the-eleventh-commandment-thou-shalt-not-be-found-out-is-despicable/) [Emily Post](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-post/) > [ T\]he state Republican chairman, Gaylord Parkinson, postulated what he called the Eleventh Commandment: Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/t-he-state-republican-chairman-gaylord-parkinson-postulated-what-he/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Thou shalt not whine' should be the eleventh commandment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reba-mcentire/thou-shalt-not-whine-should-be-the-eleventh-commandment/) [Reba McEntire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reba-mcentire/) > [I cry at the drop of a hat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalki-koechlin/i-cry-at-the-drop-of-a-hat/) [Kalki Koechlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kalki-koechlin/) > [The dreadful thing about getting older is you cry at the drop of a hat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-idle/the-dreadful-thing-about-getting-older-is-you-cry-at-the-drop-of-a-hat/) [Eric Idle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-idle/) > [In my work, I'm called to a job at the drop of a hat, so I like a sense of order to my holidays,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-o-connor/in-my-work-i-m-called-to-a-job-at-the-drop-of-a-hat-so-i-like-a-sense/) [Erin O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-o-connor/) > [I can cry at the drop of a hat. I've always found that easier than laughing in films.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-browning/i-can-cry-at-the-drop-of-a-hat-i-ve-always-found-that-easier-than/) [Emily Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-browning/) > [I do love to cry. I'll cry at the drop of a hat. I'll cry at your basic television programme, let alone a weepie.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-hart/i-do-love-to-cry-i-ll-cry-at-the-drop-of-a-hat-i-ll-cry-at-your-basic/) [Miranda Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-hart/) ## More by Richard Dawkins > [At the deepest level, all living things that have ever been looked at have the same DNA code. And many of the same genes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/at-the-deepest-level-all-living-things-that-have-ever-been-looked-at/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [The word 'mundane' has come to mean 'boring' and 'dull', and it really shouldn't - it should mean the opposite. Because it comes from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/the-word-mundane-has-come-to-mean-boring-and-dull-and-it-really/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [We animals are the most complicated things in the known universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/we-animals-are-the-most-complicated-things-in-the-known-universe/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [“The fundamentalist Kurt Wise proclaims that all the evidence in the universe would not change his mind. 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And of all its money-making rip-offs,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/the-roman-catholic-church-is-an-institution-for-whose-gains-the/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [Let us understand what our own selfish genes are up to because we may then at least have the chance to upset their designs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/let-us-understand-what-our-own-selfish-genes-are-up-to-because-we-may/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [What's going to happen when I die? I may be buried, or I may be cremated, I may give my body to science. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/what-s-going-to-happen-when-i-die-i-may-be-buried-or-i-may-be/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [Or why it is acceptable to train fast runners and high jumpers but not to breed them. I can think of some answers, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/or-why-it-is-acceptable-to-train-fast-runners-and-high-jumpers-but/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [We have seen that living things are too improbable and too beautifully 'designed' to have come into existence by chance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/we-have-seen-that-living-things-are-too-improbable-and-too/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [“We will not go quietly away. If in the future that requires violence”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/we-will-not-go-quietly-away-if-in-the-future-that-requires-violence/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [It's a truly disgusting idea that the creator of the universe - capable of inventing the laws of physics and designing the evolutionary process…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/it-s-a-truly-disgusting-idea-that-the-creator-of-the-universe-capable/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) [Explore all 1,239 Richard Dawkins quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) ## More Atheism quotes > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [No philosophy, no religion, has ever brought so glad a message to the world as this good news of Atheism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-besant/no-philosophy-no-religion-has-ever-brought-so-glad-a-message-to-the/) [Annie Besant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-besant/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [God speaks through me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/god-speaks-through-me/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, of the manifestations of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty - it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/a-knowledge-of-the-existence-of-something-we-cannot-penetrate-of-the/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [You cannot ... transmute some incoherent mixture of words into sense merely by introducing the three-letter word "God" to be its grammatical subject.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antony-flew/you-cannot-transmute-some-incoherent-mixture-of-words-into-sense/) [Antony Flew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antony-flew/) > [Many humanists have argued that happiness involves a combination of hedonism and creative moral development; that an exuberant life fuses excellence and enjoyment, meaning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kurtz/many-humanists-have-argued-that-happiness-involves-a-combination-of/) [Paul Kurtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kurtz/) > [If, with all the time at my disposal, with all the wealth of the resources of this vast universe, to do with as I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/if-with-all-the-time-at-my-disposal-with-all-the-wealth-of-the/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) > [Do you think that was kind? Do you think it was godlike? What would you think of a physician, if a woman came to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-h-gardener/do-you-think-that-was-kind-do-you-think-it-was-godlike-what-would-you/) [Helen H. Gardener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-h-gardener/) > [Science can destroy religion by ignoring it as well as by disproving its tenets. No one ever demonstrated, so far as I am aware,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-c-clarke/science-can-destroy-religion-by-ignoring-it-as-well-as-by-disproving/) [Arthur C. Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-c-clarke/) > [Honest investigation is utterly impossible within the pale of any church, for the reason, that if you think the church is right you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/honest-investigation-is-utterly-impossible-within-the-pale-of-any/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) [Browse all 4,769 Atheism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "'Take offense at the drop of a hat' is the unwritten eleventh commandment.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Richard Dawkins" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/take-offense-at-the-drop-of-a-hat-is-the-unwritten-eleventh/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Atheism" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/take-offense-at-the-drop-of-a-hat-is-the-unwritten-eleventh/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e7/richard-dawkins-115_atheism_take-offense-at-the-drop-of-a-hat-is-the_909609.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e7/richard-dawkins-115_atheism_take-offense-at-the-drop-of-a-hat-is-the_909609.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e7/richard-dawkins-115_atheism_take-offense-at-the-drop-of-a-hat-is-the_909609.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“'Take offense at the drop of a hat' is the unwritten eleventh commandment.” — Richard Dawkins", "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": "Richard Dawkins", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "'Take offense at the drop of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/take-offense-at-the-drop-of-a-hat-is-the-unwritten-eleventh/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/take-offense-at-the-drop-of-a-hat-is-the-unwritten-eleventh/#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 } } ] } ```