David Mamet Quotes

A collection of quotes by David Mamet.

David Mamet is an American playwright, screenwriter, and film director, born on November 30, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois. He gained recognition for his distinctive writing style, known for its sharp dialogue and exploration of power dynamics. Mamet has written numerous acclaimed plays, including "Glengarry Glen Ross" and "American Buffalo," which earned him a Pulitzer Prize. He has also written and directed films such as "House of Games" and "The Untouchables." Mamet's works often delve into themes of masculinity, deception, and the American Dream. His contributions to the world of theater and film have solidified his status as a renowned figure in the industry.

Always tell the truth - it's the easiest thing to remember.

Always tell the truth - it's the easiest thing to remember.

It's upsetting to be a man in our society.

It's upsetting to be a man in our society.

It's only words... unless they're true.

It's only words... unless they're true.

Truth Language Aphorism

You know, I once read an interesting book which said that, u

You know, I once read an interesting book which said that, uh, most people lost in the wilds, they, they die of shame. Yeah, see, they die of shame. 'What did I do wrong? How could I have gotten myself into this?' And so they sit there and they... die. Because they didn't do the one thing that would save their lives. Thinking.

Survival Inspirational Shame

Always tell the truth - it's the easiest thing to remember

Always tell the truth - it's the easiest thing to remember

It is not the constitutional prerogative of the Government t

It is not the constitutional prerogative of the Government to determine needs.

I understand that computers, which I once believed to be but

I understand that computers, which I once believed to be but a hermaphrodite typewriter-cum-filing cabinet, offer the cyber literate increased ability to communicate. I do not think this is altogether a bad thing, however it may appear on the surface.

My idea of perfect happiness is a healthy family, peace betw

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

In my family, in the days prior to television, we liked to w

In my family, in the days prior to television, we liked to while away the evenings by making ourselves miserable, solely based on our ability to speak the language viciously.

In practice we, in the world, must do business with each oth

In practice we, in the world, must do business with each other.

When the three branches of government have failed to represe

When the three branches of government have failed to represent the citizenry and the mass of the media has failed to represent the citizenry, then the citizenry better represent the citizenry.

Old age and treachery will always beat youth and exuberance.

Old age and treachery will always beat youth and exuberance.

You know, young actors say all the time, 'Should I use my ow

You know, young actors say all the time, 'Should I use my own life experience?' And my response is, 'What choice do you have?'

If, indeed, a firearm were more dangerous to its possessors

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.

One person may need (or want) more leisure, another more wor

One person may need (or want) more leisure, another more work one more adventure, another more security, and so on. It is this diversity that makes a country, indeed a state, a city, a church, or a family, healthy. 'One-size-fits-all,' and that size determined by the State has a name, and that name is 'slavery.'

The product of the artist has become less important than the

The product of the artist has become less important than the fact of the artist. We wish to absorb this person. We wish to devour someone who has experienced the tragic. In our society this person is much more important than anything he might create.

The government, for example, has determined that black peopl

The government, for example, has determined that black people (somehow) have fewer abilities than white people, and, so, must be given certain preferences. Anyone acquainted with both black and white people knows this assessment is not only absurd but monstrous. And yet it is the law.

A dramatic experience concerned with the mundane may inform

A dramatic experience concerned with the mundane may inform but it cannot release; and one concerned essentially with the aesthetic politics of its creators may divert or anger, but it cannot enlighten.

Film / Filmmaking / Movies

If you go and talk to most people, they mean well but they d

If you go and talk to most people, they mean well but they don't have much of a breadth on education, of knowledge of understanding what the real issues are and therefore they listen to pundits on television who tell them what they are supposed to think and they keep repeating that until pretty soon they say, 'Oh, well that must be true.'

Benjamin Carson

The Founders recognized that Government is quite literally a

The Founders recognized that Government is quite literally a necessary evil, that there must be opposition, between its various branches, and between political parties, for these are the only ways to temper the individual's greed for power and the electorates' desires for peace by submission to coercion or blandishment.