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.

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 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.

Do not simplify. Do not worry about failure. Failure is a badge of honour. It means you risked failure.

Every time I pass for a bad time I think of you and I forget everything. Do not think I’m exaggerating, that’s because I love you.

Acting was something I wanted to work at and put the time into.

Animals are our inferior brothers and sisters. They are not meant to be eaten, but must be treated with love.

I pray that no missionary will ever be as lonely as I have been.

I can't imagine ever going back to working with somebody else.

Once you make a lot of money, it's incredibly enjoyable to give it away. It's a way to satisfy the soul.

I ain't ever satisfied.

There is nothing more soul-satisfying than the first succulent bite into the juicy frankfurter.

I started growing roses. I enjoyed the craft of it and that they're difficult to look after; they can provide joy.