Brad Pitt quote-of-the-week

No, this is not a new feature on SchansBlog. But it's still worthy of a quote-of-the-week designation. Kyle cited this excerpt-- from an interview with Pitt by Chris Heath in Rolling Stone-- in his opening sermon of a series on Ecclesiastes.

Me: To play devil's advocate, what is the point that they're missing?

Pitt: The point is, the question has to be asked: "What track are we on?" Tyler starts out in the movie saying, "Man, I know all these things are supposed to seem important to us — the car, the condo, our versions of success — but if that's the case, why is the general feeling out there reflecting more impotence and isolation and desperation and loneliness?" If you ask me, I say, "Toss all this, we gotta find something else." Because all I know is that at this point in time, we are heading for a dead end, a numbing of the soul, a complete atrophy of the spiritual being. And I don't want that.

Me: So if we're heading toward this kind of existential dead end in society, what do you think should happen?

Pitt: Hey, man, I don't have those answers yet. The emphasis now is on success and personal gain. [Smiles] I'm sitting in it, and I'm telling you, that's not it. Whether you want to listen to me or not — and I say that to the reader — that's not it.

Me: But, and I'm glad you said it first, people will read your saying that and think...

Pitt: I'm the guy who's got everything. I know. But I'm telling you, once you get everything, then you're just left with yourself. I've said it before and I'll say it again: It doesn't help you sleep any better, and you don't wake up any better because of it. Now, no one's going to want to hear that. I understand it. I'm sorry I'm the guy who's got to say it. But I'm telling you.