--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Letterman, despite whatever idiotic (or…" description: "\"Letterman, despite whatever idiotic (or worse?) things he may have done with women on his staff, was wise enough to realize that silence isn't permanen..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ff/alafair-burke-22538_bought_letterman-despite-whatever-idiotic-or-wo_2108582.png" --- # Letterman, despite whatever idiotic (or worse?) things he… ![“Letterman, despite whatever idiotic (or worse?) things he may have done with women on his staff, was wise enough to realize that silence isn't permanent and peace of mind can't be bought.” quote by Alafair Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ff/alafair-burke-22538_bought_letterman-despite-whatever-idiotic-or-wo_2108582.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ff/alafair-burke-22538_bought_letterman-despite-whatever-idiotic-or-wo_2108582.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ff/alafair-burke-22538_bought_letterman-despite-whatever-idiotic-or-wo_2108582.png) > “Letterman, despite whatever idiotic (or worse?) things he may have done with women on his staff, was wise enough to realize that silence isn't permanent and peace of mind can't be bought.” [Alafair Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alafair-burke/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The comment suggests that despite misconduct, the individual understood that silence is temporary and peace cannot be bought, implying the value of speaking out. **In simple terms:** Silence is temporary; peace isn’t purchasable. Key Takeaway Speak truth despite risks. Themes ethics accountability truth Mood critical thought‑provoking Type ethical professional When to use this quote - journalism - workplace culture - whistleblowing - leadership Key Concepts moral courage public scrutiny Questions to Reflect On - When should silence be broken? - What costs come with speaking truth? A Different Perspective May excuse or downplay serious wrongdoing. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bought/) [Despite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/despite/) [Despite Idiotic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/despite-idiotic-4247255/) [Done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/done/) [Enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enough/) [He](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/he/) [His](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/his/) [Idiotic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idiotic/) [Letterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/letterman/) [Letterman Despite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/letterman-despite-4247254/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Peace of mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace-of-mind/) [Permanent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/permanent/) [Realize](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realize/) [Realize Silence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realize-silence-1566223/) [Silence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silence/) [Staff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/staff/) [Things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things/) [Whatever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whatever/) [Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise/) [Wise Realize](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise-realize-4247256/) [Women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/women/) [Worse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worse/) ## Related quotes > [The wise realize that some things are within their control, and most things are not. They learn early on to distinguish between what they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/the-wise-realize-that-some-things-are-within-their-control-and-most/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [The disadvantage of becoming wise is that you realize how foolish you've been.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-esar/the-disadvantage-of-becoming-wise-is-that-you-realize-how-foolish-you/) [Evan Esar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-esar/) > [Realize that the Silence offers an ever available and almost unlimited opportunity for awakening the highest conception of Truth. Try to comprehend that Omnipotence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-f-haanel/realize-that-the-silence-offers-an-ever-available-and-almost/) [Charles F. Haanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-f-haanel/) > [Seeing her sitting there unresponsive makes me realize that silence has a sound.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/seeing-her-sitting-there-unresponsive-makes-me-realize-that-silence/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [“Spade didn't respond with any useless, comforting cliches, for which she was grateful. She's head enough of those well-meaning phrases after Randy died. Why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeaniene-frost/spade-didn-t-respond-with-any-useless-comforting-cliches-for-which/) [Jeaniene Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeaniene-frost/) > [At times we feel something is going to pierce the silence we are living in; after a while we realize it's the silence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gopichand-lagadapati/at-times-we-feel-something-is-going-to-pierce-the-silence-we-are/) [Gopichand Lagadapati](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gopichand-lagadapati/) > [“Be comfortable with silence. Fifteen seconds of silence in group life can seem like an eternity—especially when you are the leader. But realize that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-gladen/be-comfortable-with-silence-fifteen-seconds-of-silence-in-group-life/) [Steve Gladen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-gladen/) > [I watch Jay. I watch 'Letterman'. I flip back and forth between 'Conan' and 'Letterman', especially the top of the show for those guys.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wanda-sykes/i-watch-jay-i-watch-letterman-i-flip-back-and-forth-between-conan-and/) [Wanda Sykes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wanda-sykes/) > [I was a huge David Letterman fan, even going back to when he was on NBC. My parents would only let me watch a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-moore/i-was-a-huge-david-letterman-fan-even-going-back-to-when-he-was-on/) [Trevor Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-moore/) > [I think the first time I was on The David Letterman Show, he didn't quite know what to expect. I think people generally are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-reubens/i-think-the-first-time-i-was-on-the-david-letterman-show-he-didn-t/) [Paul Reubens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-reubens/) > [Cookies at both of them. The cookies are probably better at Letterman though.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-gaffigan/cookies-at-both-of-them-the-cookies-are-probably-better-at-letterman/) [Jim Gaffigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-gaffigan/) > [The biggest threat to any politician is an artist. Comedians unleashed can do a great deal of damage. David Letterman can do more damage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moriarty/the-biggest-threat-to-any-politician-is-an-artist-comedians-unleashed/) [Michael Moriarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moriarty/) > [Everybody gets inspired by different things. I grew up wanting to go up the street with a video camera because I liked watching David…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-green/everybody-gets-inspired-by-different-things-i-grew-up-wanting-to-go/) [Tom Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-green/) > [Hey, you know what, I've gotta go on that 'Letterman' show. That show is so lame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/hey-you-know-what-i-ve-gotta-go-on-that-letterman-show-that-show-is/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [At the very beginning, I was a page at Letterman, and I freelanced for any place that would let me write any word. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/at-the-very-beginning-i-was-a-page-at-letterman-and-i-freelanced-for/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) ## More by Alafair Burke > [No Time For Goodbye is a deliciously smart thriller, full of surprises and perfect pacing. I'm jealous I didn't write it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alafair-burke/no-time-for-goodbye-is-a-deliciously-smart-thriller-full-of-surprises/) [Alafair Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alafair-burke/) > [“I get sad every time I hear a person say "I don't read." 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I usually drink wine while cooking... I do a good braised short ribs with cabernet, though. We're big red wine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alafair-burke/hmmm-cooking-with-wine-i-usually-drink-wine-while-cooking-i-do-a-good/) [Alafair Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alafair-burke/) > [In our system, we leave questions of fact to a jury. But to render a verdict, a jury must know the law. For this,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alafair-burke/in-our-system-we-leave-questions-of-fact-to-a-jury-but-to-render-a/) [Alafair Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alafair-burke/) > [I've learned to accept the fact that my students are far too busy preparing for their own legal careers to care one bit about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alafair-burke/i-ve-learned-to-accept-the-fact-that-my-students-are-far-too-busy/) [Alafair Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alafair-burke/) > [Just as I know the usual rules of law enforcement, I also know the exceptions and invoke those frequently. I don't feel a need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alafair-burke/just-as-i-know-the-usual-rules-of-law-enforcement-i-also-know-the/) [Alafair Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alafair-burke/) > [“He was a shitty husband, a cruel and distant father, and had absolutely no empathy for other human beings.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alafair-burke/he-was-a-shitty-husband-a-cruel-and-distant-father-and-had-absolutely/) [Alafair Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alafair-burke/) > [Before we condemn the jurors who acquitted George Zimmerman, we should remember that they were asked to do something extraordinary. They were asked to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alafair-burke/before-we-condemn-the-jurors-who-acquitted-george-zimmerman-we-should/) [Alafair Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alafair-burke/) > [I was the weirdest kid: I wanted to see the police file - in grade school! I was convinced I could crack the case…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alafair-burke/i-was-the-weirdest-kid-i-wanted-to-see-the-police-file-in-grade/) [Alafair Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alafair-burke/) > [I was downright obnoxious. In second grade, we had some program where we kept a public list of all the books we read. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alafair-burke/i-was-downright-obnoxious-in-second-grade-we-had-some-program-where/) [Alafair Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alafair-burke/) > [According to FBI statistics for 2008, only 22 percent of murder victims were killed by strangers. More than 30 percent were slain by family…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alafair-burke/according-to-fbi-statistics-for-2008-only-22-percent-of-murder/) [Alafair Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alafair-burke/) [Explore all 27 Alafair Burke quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alafair-burke/) ## More Bought quotes > [I once told someone I could act. They totally bought it. I've been getting away with it ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akshay-kumar/i-once-told-someone-i-could-act-they-totally-bought-it-i-ve-been/) [Akshay Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akshay-kumar/) > [One of the Internet's highest-profile companies, Priceline once dreamed of transforming the way consumer goods are bought and sold by offering customers the chance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-berenson/one-of-the-internet-s-highest-profile-companies-priceline-once/) [Alex Berenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-berenson/) > [Companies are bought for their revenue, customer base, technology, or people. A few great companies offer all of these, but any valuable business offers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-heffernan/companies-are-bought-for-their-revenue-customer-base-technology-or/) [Margaret Heffernan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-heffernan/) > [I've never bought this idea of taking a therapeutic distance. If I see a student or house staff cry, I take great faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-verghese/i-ve-never-bought-this-idea-of-taking-a-therapeutic-distance-if-i-see/) [Abraham Verghese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-verghese/) > [“For the best is only bought at the cost of great pain.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-mccullough/for-the-best-is-only-bought-at-the-cost-of-great-pain/) [Colleen McCullough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-mccullough/) > [Well, executive producer can mean anything in the world of Hollywood, sadly. It can be a bought title in many instances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-stanton/well-executive-producer-can-mean-anything-in-the-world-of-hollywood/) [Andrew Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-stanton/) > [As far as vintage Champagne goes, I loved 1990; it's a great, great vintage. I bought a lot of 1990 Blanc de Blancs Champagne…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-parker-jr/as-far-as-vintage-champagne-goes-i-loved-1990-it-s-a-great-great/) [Robert M. Parker, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-parker-jr/) > [I bought cars for all six of my children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-edochie/i-bought-cars-for-all-six-of-my-children/) [Pete Edochie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-edochie/) > [I can't be bought. I don't need to be bought. I'm not a careerist. I don't need to have a career in politics. 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Avoid tuna that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nobu-matsuhisa/large-fish-such-as-tuna-are-shown-already-cut-into-fillets-and-bought/) [Nobu Matsuhisa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nobu-matsuhisa/) > [I started collecting couture when I was about 10 or 11 years old, and the very first piece I bought was a Balenciaga suit from 1962.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamish-bowles/i-started-collecting-couture-when-i-was-about-10-or-11-years-old-and/) [Hamish Bowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamish-bowles/) > [Nothing costs so much as what is bought by prayers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/nothing-costs-so-much-as-what-is-bought-by-prayers/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [I have a few pieces that I got for my birthdays or that I bought for myself: I acquire things that speak to me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dasha-zhukova/i-have-a-few-pieces-that-i-got-for-my-birthdays-or-that-i-bought-for/) [Dasha Zhukova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dasha-zhukova/) [Browse all 549 Bought quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bought/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Letterman, despite whatever idiotic (or worse?) things he may have done with women on his staff, was wise enough to realize that silence isn't permanent and peace of mind can't be bought.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Alafair Burke" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alafair-burke/letterman-despite-whatever-idiotic-or-worse-things-he-may-have-done/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Bought" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alafair-burke/letterman-despite-whatever-idiotic-or-worse-things-he-may-have-done/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ff/alafair-burke-22538_bought_letterman-despite-whatever-idiotic-or-wo_2108582.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ff/alafair-burke-22538_bought_letterman-despite-whatever-idiotic-or-wo_2108582.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ff/alafair-burke-22538_bought_letterman-despite-whatever-idiotic-or-wo_2108582.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Letterman, despite whatever idiotic (or worse?) things he may have done with women on his staff, was wise…” — Alafair Burke", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Alafair Burke", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alafair-burke/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Letterman, despite whatever idiotic (or worse?)...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alafair-burke/letterman-despite-whatever-idiotic-or-worse-things-he-may-have-done/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alafair-burke/letterman-despite-whatever-idiotic-or-worse-things-he-may-have-done/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```