I think we're all good and bad, but good's not funny. Bad is funny. Suppress the good and let the bad out, and then you can be funny.
I wanted to make a living, but I really was not interested in money at all. I was interested in being a great comedian.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes passion over profit, highlighting the importance of pursuing one's true interests rather than merely seeking financial gain.
In this quote, Larry David expresses that his primary motivation in life was not financial success but instead the pursuit of excellence in his craft as a comedian. This reflects a deeper philosophy that true fulfillment comes from following one's passion and dedicating oneself to a vocation that brings joy and purpose, even if it means sacrificing potential monetary rewards. It serves as a reminder that personal satisfaction and mastery in one's field can lead to more significant, long-lasting success than the pursuit of wealth alone.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used during a motivational speech about following one's dreams without focusing solely on income.
More from Larry David
All quotes βIβd rather have the thieves than the neighbors - the thieves don't impose. Thieves just want your things, neighbors want your time.
It's always good to take something that's happened in your life and make something of it comedically.
I still think of that guy I was without a wife or kids, and I still want to entertain that guy. The lonely guy, the frustrated guy, the guy with no money - this is the guy who needs to laugh.
If you tell the truth about how you're feeling, it becomes funny.
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i won't be happy until i'm famous like God
As it happened, all three of us turned out to be real writers--a coincidence almost too large to be termed mere coincidence in a society where literally tens of thousands (maybe hundreds of thousands) of college students aspire to the writer's trade and where bare hundreds actually break through.