People who have any kind of illness use humor as a type of coping.

I have nothing against diamonds, or rubies or emeralds or sapphires. I do object when their acquisition is complicit in the debasement of children or the destruction of a country.

I think one of the privileges of being a filmmaker is the opportunity to remain a kind of perpetual student.

There is no reason why challenging themes and engaging stories have to be mutually exclusive - in fact, each can fuel the other.

It's always great to do a movie that you find is entertaining, but also can give some sort of political or social message.

I don't think movies can ever be too intense, but people have to understand why you're showing them the things you are showing them.

You do these movies, you give it out to the world and you really have no idea how people are going to react to you.

However much I may like to talk about or be interested in a more philosophical or moral agenda, [film] is, ultimately, about narrative. And it's about telling stories that are engaging and dramatic.

I never thought about that ever throughout the entire course of my career about choosing a specific role because it would make me seem more man-like.

I've been in plenty of situations where I thought the film would turn out one way or my performance would be looked at one way and it was an entirely different situation.

There is a segment of the American population that has been excluded from the national myth, and that should be redressed.

Do not neglect the house of God.

I learned that books are never finished, that it is possible for stories to go on writing themselves without an author.

Every moment thou waitest does but increase thy misery

The longer the explanation, the bigger the lie.... Always remember that.

While man exclaims, "See all things for my use!" "See man for mine!" replies a pamper'd goose.

Topher Grace is a really smart guy, and he really thinks about [acting].

I wasn't brought up to be dazzled by money or fame.

A man's interest in a single bluebird is worth more than a complete but dry list of the fauna and flora of a town.

If religion, instead of being the manifestation of a spiritual ideal, gives prominence to scriptures and external rites, then does it disturb the peace more than anything else.

Rumor is rarely more interesting than fact, but it is always more readily available.