--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I and haven't been unemployed for 20…" description: "\"I and haven't been unemployed for 20 years. I'm an exception to the rule.\" — Denzel Washington" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/813/denzel-washington-1345_exception_i-and-haven-t-been-unemployed-for-20-yea_65712.jpg" --- # I and haven't been unemployed for 20 years. I'm an… ![“I and haven't been unemployed for 20 years. I'm an exception to the rule.” quote by Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/813/denzel-washington-1345_exception_i-and-haven-t-been-unemployed-for-20-yea_65712.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/813/denzel-washington-1345_exception_i-and-haven-t-been-unemployed-for-20-yea_65712.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/813/denzel-washington-1345_exception_i-and-haven-t-been-unemployed-for-20-yea_65712.jpg) > “I and haven't been unemployed for 20 years. I'm an exception to the rule.” [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A self‑deprecating remark highlighting personal employment stability, implying that long‑term employment is rare and the speaker is an outlier. **In simple terms:** Personal employment stability as an outlier. Key Takeaway Longevity in a job is uncommon. Themes employment self‑deprecation exceptionality career longevity social norms Mood wry reflective light‑hearted Type humorous observational When to use this quote - job interview - career counseling - networking event - motivational speech Key Concepts employment stability personal narrative social expectation Practical Applications - career coaching - HR policy design Questions to Reflect On - What factors contribute to long‑term employment? - How does self‑deprecation affect credibility? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Unemployed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unemployed/) ## Related quotes > [I've never believed unemployment numbers because the way that they calculate unemployment makes no sense whatsoever. It's not how many people are unemployed. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suze-orman/i-ve-never-believed-unemployment-numbers-because-the-way-that-they/) [Suze Orman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suze-orman/) > [Don't ever rob a bank. Enjoy life. Have fun. 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They don't feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-harper/in-terms-of-the-unemployed-of-which-we-have-over-a-million-and-a-half/) [Stephen Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-harper/) > [Unemployed people should be treated as potential to be realised, not a problem to be solved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lammy/unemployed-people-should-be-treated-as-potential-to-be-realised-not-a/) [David Lammy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lammy/) ## More by Denzel Washington > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [My father was a minister for 50 years with Pentecostal Church of God in Christ. We prayed about everything, every day, then he always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/my-father-was-a-minister-for-50-years-with-pentecostal-church-of-god/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Family is life; acting is making a living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/family-is-life-acting-is-making-a-living/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Talent comes from God. If you have been given some, then value it, cultivate it, work and develop it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/talent-comes-from-god-if-you-have-been-given-some-then-value-it/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [ I'll be working with Ridley's \[Scott\] brother, Tony, again, someone who needless to say we've had a great amount of success together. 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Highlanders loved stories, and Jamie was no exception. "Oh, aye, "…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/alright-all-right-i-said-what-if-i-tell-you-a-story-instead/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [No physiologist who calmly considers the question in connection with the general truths of his science, can long resist the conviction that different parts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/no-physiologist-who-calmly-considers-the-question-in-connection-with/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [But Margaret went less abroad, among machinery and men; saw less of power in its public effect, and, as it happened, she was thrown…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/but-margaret-went-less-abroad-among-machinery-and-men-saw-less-of/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [My Chinese zodiac is a dog. 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