People may or may not say what they mean... but they always say something designed to get what they want.
David MametA play is basically a long, formalistic polemic. You can write it without the poetry, and if you do, you may have a pretty good play. We know this because we see plays in translation. Not many people speak Norwegian or Danish or whatever guys like Ibsen spoke, or Russian - yet we understand Chekhov and the others.
David MametArt is an expression of joy and awe. It is not an attempt to share one's virtues and accomplishments with the audience, but an act of selfless spirit.
David MametBefore you can steal fire from the Gods you gotta be able to get coffee for the director.
David Mamet