---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Everything I've ever done in my whole…"
description: "\"Everything I've ever done in my whole career, people might not know, I've never written anything down on paper.\" — Don Rickles"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/216/don-rickles-1705_career_everything-i-ve-ever-done-in-my-whole-ca_2722576.png"
---

#  Everything I've ever done in my whole career, people might…

![“Everything I've ever done in my whole career, people might not know, I've never written anything down on paper.” quote by Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/216/don-rickles-1705_career_everything-i-ve-ever-done-in-my-whole-ca_2722576.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/216/don-rickles-1705_career_everything-i-ve-ever-done-in-my-whole-ca_2722576.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/216/don-rickles-1705_career_everything-i-ve-ever-done-in-my-whole-ca_2722576.png)

> “Everything I've ever done in my whole career, people might not know, I've never written anything down on paper.”

[Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

He emphasizes reliance on memory and oral tradition over written records.

**In simple terms:** He never writes things down.

Key Takeaway

Trust your memory, stay present.

Themes

memory oral tradition personal style

Mood

reflective humorous

Type

anecdotal personal

When to use this quote

- public speaking
- improvisation
- teaching
- storytelling

Key Concepts

cognitive reliance spontaneity

Questions to Reflect On

- How does not writing affect your work?
- What are benefits of oral over written?

A Different Perspective

May lack precision or future reference.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Career](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/career/) [Career People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/career-people-522435/) [Careers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/careers/) [Done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/done/) [Everything](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/everything/) [Might](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/might/) [Never](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/never/) [Paper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paper/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Ve Written](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ve-written/) [Whole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whole/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Written](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/written/) [Written Paper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/written-paper-979422/)

## Related quotes

> [As an author, you go into the school, it gets written about in the paper. It sucks that your book was banned, but you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-de-la-pena/as-an-author-you-go-into-the-school-it-gets-written-about-in-the/)

[Matt de la Pena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-de-la-pena/)

> [My quotes are written on paper that do not like no one could throw in trash cans at the time, But at the time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/my-quotes-are-written-on-paper-that-do-not-like-no-one-could-throw-in/)

[Mak\_786](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mak-786/)

> [A verbal promise behind closed doors, even a statement written on paper-these could easily evaporate . . . .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/a-verbal-promise-behind-closed-doors-even-a-statement-written-on/)

[Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/)

> [“Objectives are only words written on paper without passion and desire”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-t-albright/objectives-are-only-words-written-on-paper-without-passion-and-desire/)

[W.T. Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-t-albright/)

> [When you make feature films, you have a script, which is a bible. The final result should be as it was written down on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danis-tanovic/when-you-make-feature-films-you-have-a-script-which-is-a-bible-the/)

[Danis Tanovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danis-tanovic/)

> [“Music isn't from what is written on the paper, it is what we make the notes on the paper to be.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/music-isn-t-from-what-is-written-on-the-paper-it-is-what-we-make-the/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“Treaties are often written in paper and ink. War, is carved by stone in blood.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/treaties-are-often-written-in-paper-and-ink-war-is-carved-by-stone-in/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I've never had a written script.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/i-ve-never-had-a-written-script/)

[Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/)

> [I've written a book; I've become a better husband and father because I'm home every day. My connection to the Hollywood world has only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-washington/i-ve-written-a-book-i-ve-become-a-better-husband-and-father-because-i/)

[Isaiah Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaiah-washington/)

> [In 2012, I really thought, 'That's it. It's over. I've written what I can write.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-marber/in-2012-i-really-thought-that-s-it-it-s-over-i-ve-written-what-i-can/)

[Patrick Marber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-marber/)

> [Some of the best songs I've written, I've written in 10 minutes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-mcvie/some-of-the-best-songs-i-ve-written-i-ve-written-in-10-minutes/)

[Christine McVie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-mcvie/)

> [I've always been very grateful that enough people have enjoyed reading what I've written that I've been able to pursue writing professionally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/i-ve-always-been-very-grateful-that-enough-people-have-enjoyed/)

[Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/)

> [I don't think anything you've written is immortal as yet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-young/i-don-t-think-anything-you-ve-written-is-immortal-as-yet/)

[Terence Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-young/)

> [I hate to look at the stuff I've written and consider what it means or why I do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-j-abrams/i-hate-to-look-at-the-stuff-i-ve-written-and-consider-what-it-means/)

[J. J. Abrams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-j-abrams/)

> [I've always written. When I was in school, the only teacher who ever liked me was my creative writing teacher. I used to enter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-townes-earle/i-ve-always-written-when-i-was-in-school-the-only-teacher-who-ever/)

[Justin Townes Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-townes-earle/)

## More by Don Rickles

> [I don't drink much anymore, but when I traveled with Frank Sinatra, God rest his soul, I used to drink like I could do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/i-don-t-drink-much-anymore-but-when-i-traveled-with-frank-sinatra-god/)

[Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/)

> [They always use the word 'insult' with me, but I don't hurt anybody. I wouldn't be sitting here if I did. I make fun…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/they-always-use-the-word-insult-with-me-but-i-don-t-hurt-anybody-i/)

[Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/)

> [I don't do impressions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/i-don-t-do-impressions/)

[Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/)

> [I have a problem, if the light goes on on TV and it blinks midnight, I don't know how to fix it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/i-have-a-problem-if-the-light-goes-on-on-tv-and-it-blinks-midnight-i/)

[Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/)

> [To my knowledge, I was the first guy really to do what I do. And then later on different comedians started trying doing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/to-my-knowledge-i-was-the-first-guy-really-to-do-what-i-do-and-then/)

[Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/)

> [If something strikes me as funny, I'll put it in my performance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/if-something-strikes-me-as-funny-i-ll-put-it-in-my-performance/)

[Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/)

> [Famous people are deceptive. Deep down, they're just regular people. Like Larry King. We've been friends for forty years. He's one of the few…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/famous-people-are-deceptive-deep-down-they-re-just-regular-people/)

[Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/)

> [It takes many years to be a great comedian.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/it-takes-many-years-to-be-a-great-comedian/)

[Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/)

> [I don't like to compare myself with anybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/i-don-t-like-to-compare-myself-with-anybody/)

[Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/)

> [Now when I'm not working, I don't really hang out with the young comics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/now-when-i-m-not-working-i-don-t-really-hang-out-with-the-young-comics/)

[Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/)

> [To this day, when I say that I went to the American Academy, people are very impressed. The reputation of the school has always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/to-this-day-when-i-say-that-i-went-to-the-american-academy-people-are/)

[Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/)

> [In our day we went from - we went into saloons. We couldn't cross over like you can today, get a television series and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/in-our-day-we-went-from-we-went-into-saloons-we-couldn-t-cross-over/)

[Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/)

> [ I don't get into politics. I know \[Donald\] Trump, but I don't follow that. That's just an aside for him when he has nothing… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/i-don-t-get-into-politics-i-know-donald-trump-but-i-don-t-follow-that/)

[Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/)

> [I was always the guy who made jokes and ribbed people at parties. After I went to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/i-was-always-the-guy-who-made-jokes-and-ribbed-people-at-parties/)

[Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/)

> [When I walk down the street in New York, I swear to God, the building constructor, the guy pounding cement and what not, will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/when-i-walk-down-the-street-in-new-york-i-swear-to-god-the-building/)

[Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/)

[Explore all 214 Don Rickles quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/)

## More Career quotes

> [“Don’t allow anyone to pressure you into taking a job in a field that doesn’t feel right in your gut. You are the one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-james/don-t-allow-anyone-to-pressure-you-into-taking-a-job-in-a-field-that/)

[Alison James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-james/)

> [In every province, the chief occupations, in order of importance, are lovemaking, malicious gossip, and talking nonsense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/in-every-province-the-chief-occupations-in-order-of-importance-are/)

[Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/)

> [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/)

[Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/)

> [One needs more than ambition and talent to make a success of anything, really. There must be love and a vocation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessye-norman/one-needs-more-than-ambition-and-talent-to-make-a-success-of-anything/)

[Jessye Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessye-norman/)

> [There are so many things you can do with your life, you can go to school and study toward your career, you can become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simphiwe-scientist-dumi/there-are-so-many-things-you-can-do-with-your-life-you-can-go-to/)

[Simphiwe Scientist Dumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simphiwe-scientist-dumi/)

> [I always knew I wanted to have a good career, so I made it happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chord-overstreet/i-always-knew-i-wanted-to-have-a-good-career-so-i-made-it-happen/)

[Chord Overstreet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chord-overstreet/)

> [I am a very big fan of Brian Eno, of his work as an artist and making his music, and as a producer. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rostam-batmanglij/i-am-a-very-big-fan-of-brian-eno-of-his-work-as-an-artist-and-making/)

[Rostam Batmanglij](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rostam-batmanglij/)

> [If I can beat a proven champion like Canelo, that will take my career to a different level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennady-golovkin/if-i-can-beat-a-proven-champion-like-canelo-that-will-take-my-career/)

[Gennady Golovkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennady-golovkin/)

> [My non-career. My excuse for a career? Honestly, I never think about the word 'career.' I've had managers, the minute they say it to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-verlaine/my-non-career-my-excuse-for-a-career-honestly-i-never-think-about-the/)

[Tom Verlaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-verlaine/)

> [“The vocation of a man lies in his vision.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/the-vocation-of-a-man-lies-in-his-vision/)

[Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/)

> [I started off as a model maker, so the first part of my career was a model maker and then a motion control camera…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-knoll/i-started-off-as-a-model-maker-so-the-first-part-of-my-career-was-a/)

[John Knoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-knoll/)

> [Growing up I did commercials and things like that, but nothing serious. As I got older, my family is really hardcore into academics. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/portia-doubleday/growing-up-i-did-commercials-and-things-like-that-but-nothing-serious/)

[Portia Doubleday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/portia-doubleday/)

> [You can have a career and kids who love you. But you have to nurture yourself and find a way to be fulfilled so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-reitman/you-can-have-a-career-and-kids-who-love-you-but-you-have-to-nurture/)

[Catherine Reitman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-reitman/)

> [As for doing good; that is one of the professions which is full. Moreover I have tried it fairly and, strange as it may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/as-for-doing-good-that-is-one-of-the-professions-which-is-full/)

[Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/)

> [Even though I'm already successful and have a career, it is always good to have your eggs in more than one basket.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/farrah-abraham/even-though-i-m-already-successful-and-have-a-career-it-is-always/)

[Farrah Abraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/farrah-abraham/)

[Browse all 11,387 Career quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/career/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Everything I've ever done in my whole career, people might not know, I've never written anything down on paper.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Don Rickles"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/everything-i-ve-ever-done-in-my-whole-career-people-might-not-know-i/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Career"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/everything-i-ve-ever-done-in-my-whole-career-people-might-not-know-i/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/216/don-rickles-1705_career_everything-i-ve-ever-done-in-my-whole-ca_2722576.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/216/don-rickles-1705_career_everything-i-ve-ever-done-in-my-whole-ca_2722576.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/216/don-rickles-1705_career_everything-i-ve-ever-done-in-my-whole-ca_2722576.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Everything I've ever done in my whole career, people might not know, I've never written anything down on…” — Don Rickles",
                "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": "Don Rickles",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Everything I've ever done in my...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/everything-i-ve-ever-done-in-my-whole-career-people-might-not-know-i/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/everything-i-ve-ever-done-in-my-whole-career-people-might-not-know-i/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
