The end is built into the beginning.

You are what you love. Not what loves you.

I think of myself as a guy who tries to write screenplays and now has tried to direct one. Anything more than that is meaningless and it gets in the way of being a real human being.

I do like escapism. I like going to the movies on a Friday night and seeing something fun.

The only honest and generous thing for me to do is to give people myself. That's all I've got as an artist, so I want to do that in an unflinching way.

The passionate ones, the ones who go after what they want, may not get what they want, but they remain vital, in touch with themselves, and when they lie on their deathbeds, they have few regrets.

Everything I've written is personal - it's the only way I know how to write.

You and I share the same DNA. Is there anything more lonely than that?

Why do I fall in love with every woman I see that shows me the least bit of attention?

Clementine: This is it, Joel. It's going to be gone soon. Joel: I know. Clementine: What do we do? Joel: Enjoy it.

There are nearly thirteen million people in the world. None of those people is an extra. They're all the leads of their own stories. They have to be given their due.

I'd forgotten about it, and now I forgot it again. There are things that have to be forgotten if you want to go on living.

All decisions are taken two levels above the highest level of understanding

Now I'm in the process of fine turning.

The true worth of a soul is revealed as much by the motive it attributes to the actions of others as by its own deeds.

My New Year's style resolution is to buy and wear more clothing that is handmade by artisans or eco-friendly.

The human voice can never reach the distance that is covered by the still small voice of conscience.

We must stand up and say, "I'm black and I'm beautiful," and this self-affirmation is the black man's need, made compelling by the white man's crimes against him.

A free people, free to believe as we wish, free to speak our minds, free to raise our children as we see fit, will, make no mistake about it, endure.

How was I going to make a man fly? How was I going to convince the public that an actor could fly?

I've only had good experiences with actors. Starring next to them and directing them, for the most part they're all inspiring, special people.