Study, find all the good teachers and study with them, get involved in acting to act, not to be famous or for the money. Do plays. It's not worth it if you are just in it for the money. You have to love it.
Philip Seymour HoffmanRead
I think I would have drank myself to death, literally, if I didn't just stop, once and for all when I did. I am not ever going to preach to anyone about drugs or drinking. But, for me, when they were around, I had no self control.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects a personal struggle with addiction and the importance of recognizing one's limits.
Philip Seymour Hoffman candidly shares his battle with addiction, acknowledging that he might have faced dire consequences had he not decided to quit alcohol and drugs completely. His experience emphasizes the struggle for self-control in the face of temptation and highlights the personal nature of addiction recovery, as he refrains from preaching to others about his choices.
Themes
AddictionSelf ControlCourageRecoveryPersonal Struggle
In practice
Example use cases
In a recovery meeting to inspire others who are struggling with addiction.
More from Philip Seymour Hoffman
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I had insecurities and fears like everybody does, and I got over it. But I was interested in the parts of me that struggled with those things.
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I didn't have any idea that I would be able to have a career in film.
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There’s a period of time in your life when I kind of look back, and I’m like, was I happy, or was I just not aware?
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