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I was very cruel to actors and to other people. I think I was a very, very unpleasant young man. If I met the young Ingmar today, I think I would say, 'You are very talented and I will see if I can help you, but I don't think I want anything else to do with you.' I don't say I'm pleasant now, but I think I changed slowly in my 50's. At least I hope I've changed.

Ingmar Bergman#13

ChangeCharacterGrowthPastReflectionYouth

About this quote

What does it mean?
The author admits to being cruel and unpleasant in youth, noting personal growth occurred slowly over decades. He expresses hope that he has changed for the better.
In plain terms
He was unkind as a young man but hopes he has improved over time.
What can you take from it?
Personal change is slow and requires honest self-reflection.

Where it applies

  • self-reflection
  • personal development
  • mentorship

Putting it to work

  • acknowledge past faults
  • allow time for change

Questions to consider

  • How have you changed over the years?
  • Can people truly change?

Another view

Not everyone changes for the better simply with age.

More from Ingmar Bergman

  1. I am very much aware of my own double self... The well-known one is very under control; everything is planned and very secure. The unknown one can be very unpl…

    Permalink to quote #12
  2. I am so 100 percent Swedish... Someone has said a Swede is like a bottle of ketchup - nothing and nothing and then all at once - splat. I think I'm a little li…

    Permalink to quote #14
  3. I write scripts to serve as skeletons awaiting the flesh and sinew of images.

    Permalink to quote #11

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