--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm not an educated man, but I've read…" description: "\"I'm not an educated man, but I've read some history. Every kingdom comes up bloody. Every castle is built on a pile of bones. When I came out here, LA ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57d/mickey-cohen-46819_bloody_i-m-not-an-educated-man-but-i-ve-read-so_672314.jpg" --- # I'm not an educated man, but I've read some history. Every… ![“I'm not an educated man, but I've read some history. Every kingdom comes up bloody. Every castle is built on a pile of bones. When I came out here, LA was nothing. Back east I was a gangster, out here I'm god.” quote by Mickey Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57d/mickey-cohen-46819_bloody_i-m-not-an-educated-man-but-i-ve-read-so_672314.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57d/mickey-cohen-46819_bloody_i-m-not-an-educated-man-but-i-ve-read-so_672314.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57d/mickey-cohen-46819_bloody_i-m-not-an-educated-man-but-i-ve-read-so_672314.jpg) > “I'm not an educated man, but I've read some history. Every kingdom comes up bloody. Every castle is built on a pile of bones. When I came out here, LA was nothing. Back east I was a gangster, out here I'm god.” [Mickey Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mickey-cohen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker contrasts his past violent life with his current perceived power, reflecting on identity and transformation. **In simple terms:** From gangster to god, identity shifts with environment. Key Takeaway Recognize how surroundings reshape self‑image. Themes identity power transformation Mood reflective introspective Type narrative philosophical When to use this quote - personal growth - crime history - social mobility - psychology Key Concepts self‑concept social status environmental influence Questions to Reflect On - What defines true power? - How does environment alter self‑view? A Different Perspective Power may be illusory, based on context. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Castles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/castles/) [Educated man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/educated-man/) [Gangster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gangster/) [Gangsters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gangsters/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Kingdom come](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kingdom-come/) [Kingdoms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kingdoms/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) ## Related quotes > [I am inspired by the success of those that came to LA around the time that I started.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tone-bell/i-am-inspired-by-the-success-of-those-that-came-to-la-around-the-time/) [Tone Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tone-bell/) > [The history of the kingdom of God is, directly, one of a reunion. The total divine milieu is formed by the incorporation of every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-teilhard-de-chardin/the-history-of-the-kingdom-of-god-is-directly-one-of-a-reunion-the/) [Pierre Teilhard de Chardin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-teilhard-de-chardin/) > [One day America and all its presidents will be a footnote in history, but the kingdom of Jesus will never end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/one-day-america-and-all-its-presidents-will-be-a-footnote-in-history/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [Don't touch my junk, you airport security goon--my package belongs to no one but me, and do you really think I'm a Nigerian nut…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-krauthammer/don-t-touch-my-junk-you-airport-security-goon-my-package-belongs-to/) [Charles Krauthammer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-krauthammer/) > [“But Jesus’ own gospel of the kingdom was not that the kingdom was about to come, or had recently come, into existence. If we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/but-jesus-own-gospel-of-the-kingdom-was-not-that-the-kingdom-was/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [Then Christ will say to us, 'Come you also! Come you drunkards! Come you weaklings! Come you depraved!' And he will say to us,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/then-christ-will-say-to-us-come-you-also-come-you-drunkards-come-you/) [Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/) > [Jesus is now the Lord; He is enthroned at the right hand of God; He is reigning in His kingdom. But this is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-eldon-ladd/jesus-is-now-the-lord-he-is-enthroned-at-the-right-hand-of-god-he-is/) [George Eldon Ladd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eldon-ladd/) > [I'm an angel. I kill firstborns while their mamas watch. I turn cities into salt. I even, when I feel like it, rip the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-walken/i-m-an-angel-i-kill-firstborns-while-their-mamas-watch-i-turn-cities/) [Christopher Walken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-walken/) > [Hate builds up from the childhood when your world was a slum, but you haven't got the right to blow it to kingdom come.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-davies/hate-builds-up-from-the-childhood-when-your-world-was-a-slum-but-you/) [Ray Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-davies/) > [If Christians would have the same faith in their God that non-Christians have in a mere materialistic idea, 'Thy Kingdom come' would shortly be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-salmon/if-christians-would-have-the-same-faith-in-their-god-that-non/) Ben Salmon > [“Saying #113, Christ's disciples ask, When will the kingdom come? Jesus replies, The kingdom of the Father will not come by expectation. The kingdom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/saying-113-christ-s-disciples-ask-when-will-the-kingdom-come-jesus/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [This is a lttle prayer dedicated to the separation of church and state. I guess if they are going to force those kids to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/this-is-a-lttle-prayer-dedicated-to-the-separation-of-church-and/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [The man who is poor in spirit desires and says with his whole heart, Hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-kronstadt/the-man-who-is-poor-in-spirit-desires-and-says-with-his-whole-heart/) [John of Kronstadt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-of-kronstadt/) > [The progress of dynamic ideals will not be eternally blocked. Through general, moral and intellectual advancement... shall the latent aspiration of justice for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-isaac-kook/the-progress-of-dynamic-ideals-will-not-be-eternally-blocked-through/) [Abraham Isaac Kook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-isaac-kook/) > [ “One who really prays that this kingdom will come...\[will make the effort to\] keep himself in harmony with the order of the kingdom, to… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-talmage/one-who-really-prays-that-this-kingdom-will-come-will-make-the-effort/) James Talmage ## More by Mickey Cohen > [I didn't kill anyone that didn't deserve killing in the first place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mickey-cohen/i-didn-t-kill-anyone-that-didn-t-deserve-killing-in-the-first-place/) [Mickey Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mickey-cohen/) > [I started rooting - you know, sticking up joints - with some older guys. By now I had gotten a taste of what the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mickey-cohen/i-started-rooting-you-know-sticking-up-joints-with-some-older-guys-by/) [Mickey Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mickey-cohen/) > [I never killed a guy who didn't deserve it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mickey-cohen/i-never-killed-a-guy-who-didn-t-deserve-it/) [Mickey Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mickey-cohen/) > [I have killed no men, that, in the first place, didn't deserve killing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mickey-cohen/i-have-killed-no-men-that-in-the-first-place-didn-t-deserve-killing/) [Mickey Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mickey-cohen/) > [All good things must one day be burnt to the ground for the insurance money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mickey-cohen/all-good-things-must-one-day-be-burnt-to-the-ground-for-the-insurance/) [Mickey Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mickey-cohen/) > [I got a kick out of having a big bankroll in my pocket. Even if I only made a couple hundred dollars, I'd always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mickey-cohen/i-got-a-kick-out-of-having-a-big-bankroll-in-my-pocket-even-if-i-only/) [Mickey Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mickey-cohen/) > [Mickey Cohen: New York, its like being a rat in a maze, everyone living on top of each other, but out here, I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mickey-cohen/mickey-cohen-new-york-its-like-being-a-rat-in-a-maze-everyone-living/) [Mickey Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mickey-cohen/) [Explore all 8 Mickey Cohen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mickey-cohen/) ## More Bloody quotes > [Success doesn't have a downside for me. I'm busy, but I've always been busy whatever job I've had. My very first job working in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-derbyshire/success-doesn-t-have-a-downside-for-me-i-m-busy-but-i-ve-always-been/) Victoria Derbyshire > [AHHHHHH! Goyle has set the bloody place on fire! -Ron Weasley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/ahhhhhh-goyle-has-set-the-bloody-place-on-fire-ron-weasley/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My style icon is anyone who makes a bloody effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isabella-blow/my-style-icon-is-anyone-who-makes-a-bloody-effort/) [Isabella Blow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isabella-blow/) > [If you're going to do something that looks evil, don't smear it with icing and pretend it's good; just bloody well do it and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robertson-davies/if-you-re-going-to-do-something-that-looks-evil-don-t-smear-it-with/) [Robertson Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robertson-davies/) > [Every sensible man, every honorable man, must hold the Christian sect in horror." "Christianity is the most ridiculous, the most absurd and bloody religion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/every-sensible-man-every-honorable-man-must-hold-the-christian-sect/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > [The problem was Le Corbusier was a genius and an enormous artist, but he tried to resolve problems to which there is no solution.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-krier/the-problem-was-le-corbusier-was-a-genius-and-an-enormous-artist-but/) [Leon Krier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-krier/) > [Sound trumpets! Let our bloody colours wave! And either victory, or else a grave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/sound-trumpets-let-our-bloody-colours-wave-and-either-victory-or-else/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [I was at Mount Tamalpais near San Francisco hiking when a boulder came hurling down the mountainside and smashed my left hand. When I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-casals/i-was-at-mount-tamalpais-near-san-francisco-hiking-when-a-boulder/) [Pablo Casals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-casals/) > [Women are all the bloody sameyou can't love for five minutes without wanting it abolished in brats and house bloody wifery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-beckett/women-are-all-the-bloody-sameyou-can-t-love-for-five-minutes-without/) [Samuel Beckett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-beckett/) > [Mass ought to be in Latin, unless you could do it in Greek or Chinese. In fact, any abracadabra that no bloody member of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-pound/mass-ought-to-be-in-latin-unless-you-could-do-it-in-greek-or-chinese/) [Ezra Pound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-pound/) > [“The heart is a bloody thing. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-barlow/the-heart-is-a-bloody-thing/) [Toby Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-barlow/) > [I'd have opened a bloody library if I'd wanted to be quiet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anita-roddick/i-d-have-opened-a-bloody-library-if-i-d-wanted-to-be-quiet/) [Anita Roddick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anita-roddick/) > [The proud spirit of the original owners of these vast prairies inherited through centuries of fierce and bloody wars for their possession, lingered last…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-frank-baum/the-proud-spirit-of-the-original-owners-of-these-vast-prairies/) [L. Frank Baum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-frank-baum/) > [If man had his way, the plan of redemption would be an endless and bloody conflict. In reality, salvation was bought not by Jesus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-man-had-his-way-the-plan-of-redemption-would-be-an-endless-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [ \[9/11\] was bloody-minded destruction for no other reason than to do it. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-said/9-11-was-bloody-minded-destruction-for-no-other-reason-than-to-do-it/) [Edward Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-said/) Browse all 865 Bloody quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I'm not an educated man, but I've read some history. Every kingdom comes up bloody. Every castle is built on a pile of bones. When I came out here, LA was nothing. 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