Simplicity of all things is the hardest to be copy.

Whenever you commend, add your reasons for doing so; it is this which distinguishes the approbation of a man of sense from the flattery of sycophants and admiration of fools.

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.

Fire and swords are slow engines of destruction, compared to the tongue of a Gossip.

People spend their lives in the service of their passions instead of employing their passions in the service of their lives.

Among all the diseases of the mind there is not one more epidemical or more pernicious than the love of flattery.

Vanity makes people ridiculous, pride odious, and ambition terrible.

There is no Pleasure like that of receiving Praise from the Praiseworthy

A lie is troublesome, and sets a man's invention upon the rack, and one trick needs a great many more to make it good.

A fool is in himself the object of pity, until he is flattered.

Zeal for the public good is the characteristic of a man of honor and a gentleman, and must take the place of pleasures, profits and all other private gratifications.

When I am dead, I will not hurt anymore, will it Mama?...When I am dead, build me a little monument of stones in the woods.

'Freaks and Geeks' was a show where our individuality was really celebrated.

I'll direct any movie starring a monkey or the Olsen Twins. Preferably both.

A successful marriage isn't necessarily one that lasts until you're dead.

I don't hate anyone. I dislike. But my dislike is the equivalent of anyone else's hate.

Deeds survive the doers.

Honey, if you've had your eye on a piece of talent and that chick down the road has been getting all the action, then you know what you gotta do... Try A Little Bit Harder.

When Yoko [Ono] and I got married, we got terrible racialist letters - you know, warning me that she would slit my throat. Those mainly came from Army people living in Aldershot. Officers.

A lot of actors aren't particularly good directors. And they're not particularly good with other actors. That's kind of a fallacy.

Dreams are so important. You need to have big goals and expect a lot of yourself but you have to enjoy the ride too.