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.
David MametRead
I didn't knowingly meet a conservative until, to my shame, I was 60 years old and sat down and said, 'Wow, I don't understand what this guy's talking about, but he has a great civility about him. Perhaps I better investigate this thing.'
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects a realization of the importance of civility in dialogues about differing beliefs.
In this quote, David Mamet shares his experience of coming to understand a different political perspective later in life. He acknowledges his lack of familiarity with conservatism until age 60, highlighting the value of civility in discussions about differing opinions. The remark illustrates the idea that engaging with differing viewpoints can lead to greater understanding and respect, even if one initially feels lost in the conversation.
Themes
CivilityUnderstandingPoliticsPhilosophyDialogue
In practice
Example use cases
During a debate panel, one might refer to this quote to emphasize the need for civility in political discussions.
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Every reiteration of the idea that nothing matters debases the human spirit.
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