I was writing novels in high school and apprenticed myself in a way both to Faulkner and to Hemingway.
A losing trade, I assure you, sir: literature is a drug.
There's night and day, brother, both sweet things; sun, moon, and stars, brother, all sweet things; there's likewise a wind on the heath. Life is very sweet, brother; who would wish to die?
We must walk before we run.
The Germans are the most philosophic people in the world, and the greatest smokers: now I trace their philosophy to their smoking. Smoking has a sedative effect upon the nerves, and enables a man to bear the sorrows of this life (of which every one has his share) not only decently, but dignifiedly.
Sherry. . . a silly, sickly compound, the use of which will transform a nation, however bold and warlike by nature, into a race of sketchers, scribblers, and punsters, in fact into what Englishmen are at the present day.
There is a peculiarity in the countenance, as everybody knows, which, though it cannot be described, is sure to betray the Englishman.
All I can do is try to create my own brand and have people appreciate me for that.
I don't feel insecure about any of this work anymore. Maybe I don't have what I had when I was younger. I'm not really hungry to prove anything to anybody, really. But when I stand outside myself and observe what I think are my strengths and weaknesses going into directing, it's what you just said, an affliction to organize moments.
I respect anyone who's honest to themselves and able to bring that into their work in an entertaining fashion.
When Steve Ballmer calls me wacko, I consider that a compliment.