My alma mater is the Chicago Public Library. I got what little educational foundation I got in the third-floor reading room, under the tutelage of a Coca-Cola sign.
David MametRead
They say you can't study Kabbalah until you are at least 40 years old. You know why? You have to have experienced at least one generation making the same mistakes as the previous one.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Experience is essential for understanding deep subjects like Kabbalah.
David Mamet's quote reflects the idea that wisdom and understanding often come from experience. He suggests that one must live through a generation's worth of mistakes to truly grasp the complexities of topics like Kabbalah, indicating that personal and generational experiences shape our understanding of profound subjects.
Themes
WisdomExperienceKabbalahLearningMistakes
In practice
Example use cases
A speaker at a spiritual retreat discussing the importance of life experiences in understanding religious texts.
More from David Mamet
All quotes →You know, young actors say all the time, 'Should I use my own life experience?' And my response is, 'What choice do you have?'
David MametRead
It's hard for a Jew of my generation, an American Jew, who is philo-Zionistic, not to romanticize Israel.
David MametRead
You can't write about history without writing about politics at some point. History is about movements of people. 'What is criminality and what is government' is a theme that runs through every history.
David MametRead
Every reiteration of the idea that nothing matters debases the human spirit.
David MametRead
The subject of drama is The Lie. At the end of the drama THE TRUTH -- which has been overlooked, disregarded, scorned, and denied -- prevails. And that is how we know the Drama is done.
David MametRead
Similar quotes
Live as if you were living a second time, and as though you had acted wrongly the first time.
Viktor E. FranklRead
Every man of genius sees the world at a different angle from his fellows, and there is his tragedy.
Havelock EllisRead
But I like not these great successes of yours; for I know how jealous are the gods.
HerodotusRead
I'm not doing anything, and yet I'm also doing the most important thing a man can do: I'm listening to what I needed to hear from myself.
Paulo CoelhoRead
Here's what I advise any young struggling actress today: The important thing is to develop as a woman first, and a performer second. You wouldn't prostitute yourself to get a part, not if_x000D_ you're in the right mind. You won't be happy, whatever you do, unless you're comfortable with your own conscience.
Lucille BallRead
Try to acquire the virtues you believe lacking in your brothers. Then you will no longer see their defects, for you will no longer have them yourself.
Saint AugustineRead