If every inhabitant of a liberal democracy believes in liberal democracy, then it doesn't matter what creed or colour they are.

Only in art will the lion lie down with the lamb, and the rose grow without thorn.

Religious belief is without reason and without dignity, and its record is near-universally dreadful.

Probably human cruelty is fixed and eternal. Only styles change.

My life looked good on paper - where, in fact, almost all of it was being lived.

When the past is forgotten, the present is unforgettable

Closure is a greasy little word which, moreover, describes a nonexistent condition. The truth, Venus, is that nobody gets over anything.

Perhaps there are other bits of my life that would take on content, take on shadow, if only I read more and thought less about money.

When you’ve lost all your play, guess what love becomes. Work. Work that gets harder every hour.

Love is blind; but it makes you see the blind man; teetering on the roadside . . .

Every 10 years you're a different person, and the really great books evolve with you as you get older. They're full of new rewards.

Evangelism is more about being than being perfect.

You should never consider finished a war you did not win

Each loss brings growth with it, and learning to handle new experiences and taking charge of your needs is part of the transformative process.

Not another word, not another thought, not another sniffle. If you need to pass gas, I pray you'll clench your backside and keep walking until we are certainly alone.

What we need,' Henry says, 'is a fresh start. A blank slate. Let's call her Tabula Rasa.

It’s hard to drink when you dance. And it’s hard to dance when you drink.

Italy is only a geographical expression.

I want to wage war against illiteracy, poverty, unemployment, unfair competition, communitarianism, delinquency.

The fact that I still want the best for the world is kind of amazing. People slandered me for years and years and years. I would say to them, "Thanks for having a closed mind".

Directing is a constant test of your communicative powers. You're constantly trying to explain people your vision of what you want and steer these tiny little details into a cohesive thing.