245 Quotes by Matt Damon

It’s pretty easy to kind of lose your way. Having kids is really helpful. They kind of disabuse you of the notion of your greatness pretty quickly.

The first time I smoked was at home with my mother and stepfather; they were like, If you are going to do this, we’d rather you did this with us.

As actors, we react to the material that’s out there, and I probably just react more strongly to things that I feel will have some social value.

If you are writing a story and trying to draw an audience to come and hear you tell it, it’s got to in some way relate to them. Who wants to come and hear about your specific problems? It’s not therapy – it’s supposed to be a communal piece of entertainment.

The whole thrust of theatre is different, just because the writing is so much more respected in a play. Whereas in movies – and having been the writer, I can say from experience – the writer is lower down on the food chain.

I can’t think of any more important value to instill in our children than the desire to help others. I feel strongly about setting an example for them. Real problems can be solved by the next generation if we instill in them the right values.

All parents are trying to balance. Look, I’m lucky in the sense that I can control my hours. I can choose my jobs, and not everybody has that choice. But I definitely, it’s a family decision every time I take a job.

People do things in the names of good, and in the name of ideals, but the world isn’t that simple. So they end up doing things that aren’t necessarily good. Even if they think they’re doing the right thing, but when viewed from a different perspective they can look barbaric and crazy.

I never wanted to do the same kind of movies over and over anyway, so my theory on it all is I’m just gonna try and dodge the label and keep doing what I am doing.