David Mamet quotes - page 2

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:

Every fear hides a wish.

David Mamet

Train yourself for a profession that does not exist.

David Mamet

There's no such thing as talent; you just have to work hard enough.

David Mamet

We live in oppressive times. We have, as a nation, become our own thought police; but instead of calling the process by which we limit our expression of dissent and wonder ‘censorship,' we call it ‘concern for commercial viability.

David Mamet

People only speak to get something.

David Mamet

Everybody makes their own fun. If you don't make it yourself, it isn't fun. It's entertainment.

David Mamet

When we leave the play saying how spectacular the sets or costumes were, or how interesting the ideas, it means we had a bad time.

David Mamet

If, indeed, a firearm were more dangerous to its possessors than to potential aggressors, would it not make sense for the government to arm all criminals, and let them accidentally shoot themselves? Is this absurd? Yes, and yet the government, of course, is arming criminals.

David Mamet

We Americans have always considered Hollywood, at best, a sinkhole of depraved venality. And, of course, it is. It is not a protective monastery of aesthetic truth. It is a place where everything is incredibly expensive.

David Mamet

The quality I most admire in a man is steadfastness.

David Mamet

Don't assume I'm dumb because I wear a suit and tie.

David Mamet

Culture exists and evolves to relegate to habit categories of interactions the constant conscious reference to which would make human interaction impossible.

David Mamet

I'm greedy and ambitious like everybody else.

David Mamet

I was fortunate enough to have a rambling youth.

David Mamet

My idea of perfect happiness is a healthy family, peace between nations, and all the critics die.

David Mamet

Writing a novel is an incredibly free experience. One puts one's self in a narrative mode. You can go off in any direction - the past, the future, or go laterally, or include one's own beliefs. It's total freedom.

David Mamet

I grew up in a tough neighborhood and we used to say you can get further with a kind word and a gun than just a kind word.

David Mamet

A liberal pretending to be a conservative? That's like a straight person pretending to be gay to get greater acceptance.

David Mamet

I don't really have a social life.

David Mamet

I know very well what it is to be out of work and to be cheated by employers and I know what it is to be an employer.

David Mamet

Our job, as writers is to do our jobs.

David Mamet

Films have degenerated to their original operation as carnival amusement - they offer not drama but thrills.

David Mamet