If you're going to perform inception, you need imagination. You need the simplest version of the idea-the one that will grow naturally in the subject's mind. Subtle art.

I have to believe that when my eyes are closed, the world's still there. (Leonard Shelby, Memento)

I always thought the joy of reading a book is not knowing what happens next. (Leonard Shelby, Memento)

You're never going to learn something as profoundly as when it's purely out of curiosity

A camera is a camera, a shot is a shot, how you tell the story is the main thing.

I like films that continue to spin your head in all sorts of different directions after you've seen them.

You musn't be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling.

One of the things you do as a writer and as a filmmaker is grasp for resonant symbols and imagery without necessarily fully understanding it yourself.

Every film should have its own world, a logic and feel to it that expands beyond the exact image that the audience is seeing.

Every great story deserves a great ending

I've always believed that if you want to really try and make a great film, not a good film, but a great film, you have to take a lot of risks.

Even if I spent the whole day with you, I would miss you the second you leave.

People are the nature of the city, and you can feel it in the pavement.

Take the job or the project that scares you a little. It's the one with the most to teach you.

Bus stops are far more interesting and useful places to have art than in museums.

[A]lways keep a-hold of Nurse For fear of finding something worse

The essence of greatness is neglect of the self.

I've occasionally been wrong about certain things, which is in a way more delightful than being right.

My recording career has luckily run the gamut of recording environments.

Light is that grief which counsel can allay.

Success is on the far side of failure.