Any distraction tends to get in the way of being an effective gangster.

I'm always amazed by writers who say, "Oh you know I had a half hour so I sat down and wrote a little bit." I just need a real big chunk of time to sit down and focus. That's my process.

I have a rule: I will not alter the basic history of a real-life character to suit our fictional needs in a big way.

I was in the equity-trading department at Merrill Lynch. I was there in 1987 when the market crashed.

As Oscar tells to Chalky, eventually we all run out of road...

There are times I wish I were invisible. Which is silly, since I do everything I can to stand out.

We being satiate with continual wars, let the desire of peace a little move us.

I Think, Therefore I Am ... I Think ...

War is organized murder and torture against our brothers.

War...seems a mere madness, a collective insanity.

This is your one chance. Tell me where the key is." "Okay." Serpine raised an eyebrow. "Really?" "No, only joking. Do your worst.

Build a shield between yourself and the descriptions of the world that everyone else has.

I don't think of the ashram world as being any more spiritual than the corporate world.

I think it is possible to be friends with employees, but there has to be a respect level where you're not taken advantage of, either.

If I were a headmaster, I would get rid of the history teacher and get a chocolate teacher instead and my pupils would study a subject that affected all of them.