When you’re asked to fly a 747 you better at least be able to fly a Piper cub.
Meaning of the quote
The quote means that if you are given a big and difficult task, you should first be able to do the smaller, easier tasks. It's like if you're asked to fly a huge jumbo jet, you need to at least know how to fly a small, simple plane first. You can't just jump right into the big thing without being able to handle the smaller things. It's important to start small and work your way up before trying to take on the biggest challenges.
About Edward James Olmos
Edward James Olmos is an acclaimed American actor known for his roles in iconic films and TV shows like Miami Vice, Blade Runner, and Battlestar Galactica. He has been a pioneer for more diverse and authentic Latino representation in media, earning numerous accolades including an Emmy, Golden Globe, and Academy Award nomination.
More quotes from Edward James Olmos
I believe that Gandhi was correct. Non-violent civil disobedience is the only way to bring about change that allows people to enjoy the change and not get killed in the process.
American actor
Our inability to relate to one another is very, very, very important. When we don’t have it, we get situations like Bosnia.
American actor
And, granted, for a long time, the European has been dominant in certain parts of this Western Hemisphere, but by the end of the 21st century, it’s over.
American actor
I’m not prepared for holding office any more than I think Arnold is.
American actor
There are nuclear weapons in China, Iran, Korea and Pakistan. It wouldn’t take much to send a couple of warheads off on this planet somewhere that would cause a lot of environmental damage, then if you have got someone who wants to retaliate you have real problems.
American actor
I think in Vice and American Me I played very silent, rigid characters and people remember them.
American actor
A saint is a person who gives of themself without asking for anything in return. That’s how simple it is to be a saint. Try it! Try being a saint.
American actor
Basically, I think that there are some characters that you can just allow the truth of your character as a human being in your real life to come through.
American actor
I’m here to make sense.
American actor
I’m always pleased when people respond to the work.
American actor
Chiapas is probably the main concern I have right now for the planet.
American actor
Education is a vacine for violence.
American actor
I learned to discipline myself to do things I didn’t want to do.
American actor
Now I also discipline myself to do things I love to do when I don’t want to do them.
American actor
And I’ve been acting for 39 years, so I define characters differently than I did in say Miami Vice.
American actor
At the rate we’re going, the 21st century looks pretty clear. It’s going to be pretty violent.
American actor
Education is the key. But it’s the kind of education that we teach that is the key. We don’t have it.
American actor
I don’t support violence, period.
American actor
You know, Hillary Clinton gives of herself. Princess Diana gave of herself. But they are not saints.
American actor
When you’re asked to fly a 747 you better at least be able to fly a Piper cub.
American actor
There is no way that we know what is going on between the African American and the Asian American. We don’t understand what an Indigenous American is. We don’t understand what a Latino American is.
American actor
You get more churches burned down in the United States in the last two years than in the last hundred, because of the lack of understanding of culture and diversity and the beauty of it.
American actor
Education is the vaccine for violence.
American actor
I support the indigenous people anywhere in the planet.
American actor
Because people of color will definitely, definitely become the power base in the Western Hemisphere.
American actor
I want to show how strong I am from my roots.
American actor
Right now, the Anglo people are desperately trying to hold on to the United States, like they tried to hold on to Africa.
American actor
Yeah, the New York Times is very intellectual and very, very prestigious, but it doesn’t reach the market that People magazine does.
American actor
The older you get the more you understand what you’re doing.
American actor
We don’t have as much prejudice as we did 40 years ago, but today it is more educated.
American actor