David Mamet Quotes

American playwright, filmmaker and author (born 1947)

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David Alan Mamet (born November 30, 1947) is an American playwright, screenwriter, film director, director, poet, essayist and novelist.

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Alternative Names: David Alen Mamet • David Alan Mamet

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Society functions in a way much more interesting than the multiple-choice pattern we have been rewarded for succeeding at in school. Success in life comes not from the ability to choose between the four presented answers, but from the rather more difficult and painfully acquired ability to formulate the questions. Page 28

The good causes of the Left may generally be compared to NASCAR; they offer the diversion of watching things go excitingly around in a circle, getting nowhere. Page 11.

A society can neither advance nor improve without excess of disposable income. This excess can only be amassed through the productions 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. Page 10.

The goal of the Left is a government-run country and that of the Right the freedom of the individual from government. Page 236.

Where have you been, Shelly? Bruce and Harriet Nyborg. Do you want to see the memos...? They're nuts... they used to call in every week [...] Did you see how they were living? [...] The people are insane. They just like talking to salesmen.

A man should BE his job. You are FUCKED at yours.

April to September it's me, it's no fucking Moss! Due respect... he's an order taker. Talks... oh, talks a good game. But look at the board, and it's me John. It's me.

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

I point back in the living room, back to the sideboard. I didn't fucking know there was a sideboard there!

Get the chalk! Get the fucking chalk! Put me on the board! Put me on the Cadillac board! Williamson! Pick up the fucking chalk! Hey, Rick I closed em! I closed the cocksucker!

What the hell are you? You're a fuckin' secretary. Fuck you. That's my message to ya: fuck you and kiss my ass, and if you don't like it baby I'm going across the street to Jerry Graff, period, fuck you. Now, I want you to put me on the cadillac board and I want two promising leads and I don't want any bullshit and I want them close together because I am going to close them all, and that is all I have to say to you! [flips him off]

That's fucked. That's fucked. You don't look at the fucking percentage. You look at the gross.

Well, to the law, you’re an accessory. Before the fact.

Cop couldn't find his dick, two hands and a map.

Fuck the machine? FUCK THE MACHINE! What is this, courtesy class? You're fucked, Rick.