Addict Quote by Ellen Burstyn
“Then in came this script with another very low offer, and another drug addict and a depressing and difficult part to play. I thought, 'Why should I put myself through that for hardly any money?'”
About This Quote
Source Film: Same Time, Next Year, 1978
She questions the value of taking a low‑paid, emotionally draining role versus personal well‑being.
In simple terms: She doubts doing a cheap, hard role.
Key Takeaway
Weigh personal cost against compensation.
Themes
career
selfworth
artistic integrity
financial pressure
Mood
conflicted
reflective
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- audition decisions
- negotiating contracts
- career planning
- mental health
- budget constraints
Key Concepts
labor economics
emotional labor
self‑care
Questions to Reflect On
- Is the role worth the personal sacrifice?
- How can you set boundaries for low‑pay work?
A Different Perspective
Low pay may not justify emotional toll or career risk.
![“[T]he truth is that drug addicts have a disease. It only takes a short time in the streets to realize that out-of-control addiction is a medical problem, not a form of recreational or criminal behavior. And the more society treats drug addiction as a crime, the more money drug dealers will make…” quote by Jay-Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/983/jay-z-713_addict_t-he-truth-is-that-drug-addicts-have-a-d_131312.jpg)
