You see, I always divide people into two groups. Those who live by what they know to be a lie, and those who live by what they believe, falsely, to be the truth.

I think there's something degrading about having a husband for a rival. It's humiliating if you fail and commonplace if you succeed.

To seduce a woman famous for strict morals, religious fervor and the happiness of her marriage: what could possibly be more prestigious?

Masturbation is the thinking man's television.

If I had to give a definition of capitalism I would say: the process whereby American girls turn into American women.

I have always thought of sophistication as rather a feeble substitute for decadence.

I like L.A., but I think whats changed is that the kinds of films I do, the mid-range dramatic film, has become an endangered species.

You know very well that unless you're a scientist, it's much more important for a theory to be shapely, than for it to be true.

There is a sort of theory that you should adapt bad books because they always make more successful films.

I'm ashamed to say the first play I saw at the Royal Court was mine.

My problem is I'm a man of no convictions - at least, I think I am.

But the trick most folk are so awfully fond of learning, the absolute second they've got hold of a heart, is to pretend they don't have one at all. It is the very first danger of the hearted.

The distance between who I am, and who I want to be is measure only, by my actions.

Money was the crux. Raising money to pay the cost of war was to cause more damage to 14th century society than the physical destruction of war itself.

I love not feeling this hydraulic pressure that you have to create this comic moment within every scene. You can just play it as it is.

I accept the fact that I'm going to miss it sometimes. I just hope I miss it where I can find it.

All children accomplish milestones in their own way, in their own time.

I do not allow my schooling to interfere with my education

I have a horror of the word 'flesh', which has become so shopworn.Why not 'meat'whilethey're about it? What I like is skin, a young girl's skin that is pink and shows that she has a good circulation.

I'm young, and I'm fortunate to be in good health, although I do get tired. Sometimes my wife refers to me as Mr. Excitement because of the number of naps it takes to keep this going.

Know thy self, know thy enemy.