David Mamet

Film & Theater USA 1947 99 quotes

Master of profane dialogue in Glengarry Glen Ross, Mamet's rhythms captured quotable American hustle.

Quotes by David Mamet

The most important thing is to be true to yourself.

Interview

The only thing that can truly make you happy is yourself.

Interview

The greatest victory is to overcome yourself.

Interview

The only way to truly fail is to stop trying.

Interview

The most important thing is to learn from your mistakes.

Interview

The only way to truly succeed is to help others succeed.

Interview

The greatest power is the power of love.

Interview

The only thing that truly matters is what you do with your life.

Interview

The purpose of government is to protect the rights of the individual.

Interview

The greatest threat to freedom is government.

Interview

The audience does not need to tune themselves to you - you need to tune your message to them.

True and False: Heresy and Common Sense for the Actor 1999

The quality of life is in proportion, always, to the capacity for delight. The capacity for delight is only exceeded by the desire for comfort.

On Acting 2000

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

The Secret Knowledge: On the Dismantling of American Culture 2010

Politics is a very unsatisfactory business. If you want to be a politician, you have to be a liar.

Interview with The Guardian 2011

You know what you're supposed to do, but you just don't want to.

Glengarry Glen Ross (play) 1985

Film is a disease. When it infects your soul, it alters your vision of the world.

On Directing Film 2000

The best way to get over a woman is to get under another one.

The Frog Prince (play) 1984

Life is a series of improvisations.

A Whore's Profession: Notes and Essays 1994

Courage is the price that life exacts for granting peace.

The Secret Knowledge 2012

What I value most in life is the ability to say no.

Interview with The Paris Review 2008