Civilisation is never so charming as when it is an island in the middle of simplicity, or of a civilisation of an alien kind.

If a man wishes to ensure the bad opinion of others, his best course probably is to be honest about himself.

Politics are always a struggle for power, disguised and modified by prudence, reason and moral pretext.

Whatever may be God's future, we cannot forget His past.

This round of green, this orb of flame, Fantastic beauty; such as lurks In some wild poet, when he works Without a conscience or an aim.

It is the function of the Navy to carry the war to the enemy so that it will not be fought on U.S. soil.

Heads know that failing to invest in good, nutritious food is a false economy and parents won't tolerate reconstituted turkey being put back on the menu.

My films are about the little things that happen between people that are sometimes far more valuable and insightful than the big dramatic things that happen.

I think every artist would love to just please themselves musically all day long.

If you put forth a really diverse cast and you fight for it and it doesn't do well - and it may fail for other reasons - you're gone because you stuck your neck out for that decision.

I grew up in a family of predominantly female bread winners who are strong and are fierce and opinionated. There’s not enough women like that on the screen.

There is no real force without justice.

And so my militant philosophy is this: to make with a brush on canvas is a simple direct delight-to make with the movie is the same.

The essence of genius is to know what to overlook.