I know how to be strong. I know how to be ruthless. It's part of my nature. I wouldn't be an actor if I wasn't.

My philosophy is: It's none of my business what people say of me and think of me. I am what I am, and I do what I do. I expect nothing and accept everything. And it makes life so much easier.

We are dying from overthinking. We are slowly killing ourselves by thinking about everything. Think. Think. Think. You can never trust the human mind anyway. It's a death trap.

Life's too short to deal with other people's insecurities.

No expectations. Ask nothing, expect nothing and accept everything, and life is very well.

A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti.

I don't believe in nepotism. I don't much like the idea of parents who interfere.

Relish everything that's inside of you, the imperfections, the darkness, the richness and light and everything. And that makes for a full life.

The whole point of courage, to overcome your fear. That's the interesting thing, when courage bleeds through the fear.

I always liked to take the plunge, you know, I'd jump in at the deep end and hope that I'd find land somehow, or hope I'd float or survive. That's more or less the way I've gone through my life.

You're not more than one generation from poor white trash, are you, Agent Starling?

When you see a person acting violently, ask yourself whether he knows how powerful he is. If he knew his power, would he feel the need to assert it?

My father got me strong and straight and slim And I give thanks to him. My mother bore me glad and sound and sweet I kiss her feet.

That's the whole spiritual life. It's learning how to die. And as you learn how to die, you start losing all your illusions, and you start being capable now of true intimacy and love.

Religion and political expediency go beautifully hand in hand.

If every choice you make comes from an honest place, you're solid, and nothing anybody can say about you can rock you or change your opinion

When no one loves you, you have to pretend that everyone loves you.

Heaven is the presence of God.

In silence man can most readily preserve his integrity.

Once again our cricketers have flattered to deceive in Australia.

I'm proud to say that there is not a single Russian nuclear missile pointed at an American child.