It is a long-cherished tradition among a certain type of military thinker that huge casualties are the main thing. If they are on the other side then this is a valuable bonus.

Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.

Always be wary of any helpful item that weighs less than its operating manual.

Give a man a fire and he's warm for a day, but set fire to him and he's warm for the rest of his life.

The intelligence of that creature known as a crowd is the square root of the number of people in it.

It is always useful to face an enemy who is prepared to die for his country, " he read. "This means that both you and he have exactly the same aim in mind.

Men marched away, Vimes. And men marched back. How glorious the battles would have been that they never had to fight!

Were you proposing to shoot these people in cold blood, sergeant?""Nossir. Just a warning shot inna head, sir.

There are people who treat you right and there are people who do not treat you right. Don't get affected by the latter! Hold on to the former - the chosen ones in your life and move on.

I never wanted to write the sort of song that said, 'Look at how abnormal and crazy and out there I am, man!'

There is one river of Truth which receives tributaries from every side.

Never neglect details. When everyone's mind is dulled or distracted the leader must be doubly vigilant.

Think no vice so small that you may commit it, and no virtue so small that you may over look it.

It dawned on me then that as long as I could laugh, I was safe from the world; and I have learned since that laughter keeps me safe from myself, too.

The reason I couldn't pay my rent was because I was one of the worst drinkers you'd ever seen in your life.

Solitude in the presence of natural beauty and grandeur is the cradle of thought and aspirations which are not only good for the individual, but which society can ill do without.

On the last couple of movies I made - big-budget Hollywood movies - I really missed being able to create my own material.

Capo, my first golden retriever, so loved to swim she once jumped off a cliff to get into Lake Superior.