David Mamet quotes

David Mamet is an American playwright, screenwriter, and director known for his sharp dialogue and exploration of themes like power and morality. His notable works include the plays "Glengarry Glen Ross" and "American Buffalo" as well as several acclaimed films. He is considered one of the foremost voices in modern American theater and cinema. Here are 168 of his quotes:

Before you can steal fire from the Gods you gotta be able to get coffee for the director.

David Mamet

My alma mater is the Chicago Public Library.

David Mamet

Always tell the truth. It's the easiest thing to remember.

David Mamet

We all hope. It's what keeps us alive.

David Mamet

People may or may not say what they mean... but they always say something designed to get what they want.

David Mamet

The art of the theater is action. It is the study of commitment. The word is an act. To SAY the word in such a way as to make it heard and understood by all in the theater is a commitment -- it is the highest art to see a human being out on a stage speaking to a thousand of his or her peers saying, 'These words which I am speaking are the TRUTH -- they are not an approximation of any kind. They are the God's truth, and I support them with my life,' which is what the actor does on stage.

David Mamet

We don't have to worry about making it interesting; all we have to worry about is getting rid of the pig.

David Mamet

Liberalism is a religion. Its tenets cannot be proved, its capacity for waste and destruction demonstrated. But it affords a feeling of spiritual rectitude at little or no cost.

David Mamet

I hate vacations. There's nothing to do.

David Mamet

We must have a pie. Stress cannot exist in the presence of a pie.

David Mamet

Old age and treachery will always beat youth and exuberance.

David Mamet

Every reiteration of the idea that nothing matters debases the human spirit.

David Mamet

We cannot live without trade. A society can neither advance nor improve without excess of disposable income. This excess can only be amassed through the production of goods and services necessary or attractive to the mass. A financial system which allows this leads to inequality; one that does not leads to mass starvation.

David Mamet

Invent nothing, deny nothing, speak up, stand up, stay out of school.

David Mamet

The surprise is half the battle. Many things are half the battle, losing is half the battle. Let's think about what's the whole battle.

David Mamet

I always thought the real violence in Hollywood isn't what's on the screen. It's what you have to do to raise the money.

David Mamet

Policemen so cherish their status as keepers of the peace and protectors of the public that they have occasionally been known to beat to death those citizens or groups who question that status.

David Mamet

In a world we find terrifying, we ratify that which doesn't threaten us.

David Mamet

Or me lying in the... Let me tell ya... Lying in bed the next day, she brought me cafe au lait, she gives me a cigarette. My balls feel like concrete. Eh?

David Mamet

You are a shithead, Williamson. If you can't think on your feet you oughta keep your mouth shut.

David Mamet

Anybody that talks to this asshole is a fuckin' asshole.

David Mamet

Every scene should be able to answer three questions: "Who wants what from whom? What happens if they don't get it? Why now?"

David Mamet