[The Persian Empire] left a dream of the Middle East as a unit, and a unit where people of different faiths could live together.

From the point where our ancestors started making tools, people have been unable to survive without the things they make; in this sense, it is making things that makes us human.

For many, the icon of the British Museum is the Rosetta Stone, that administrative by-product of the Greek imperial adventure in Africa.

Objects let you tell a narrative that encompasses everybody. Texts don't.

For a million years the sound of making handaxes provided the percussion of everyday life. Anyone choosing a hundred objects to tell a history of the world would have to include a handaxe.

Objects are better than text at conveying narrative

In the world of the Middle East at the moment, the debates are shrill. But ... the wisest voice of all of them may well be the voice of this mute thing, the Cyrus cylinder.

In 1600, when Shakespeares audience at the Globe heard Hamlet for the first time, every one of them knew very well what it meant to be handed a cup of wine by a figure of authority and told to drink.

Knowledge is superior to miracles.

He jokingly thought that this guy fancied himself some kind of Jedi knight, waiting for him to say, 'these are not the droids you're looking for.

The most difficult thing in the world is to know how to do a thing and to watch someone else do it wrong without comment

Most of life is routine-dull and grubby but routine is the mountain that keeps a man going. If you wait for inspiration you'll be standing on the corner after the parade is a mile down the street.

It is always the season for the old to learn.

She endured. And survived. Marginally, perhaps, but it is not required of us that we live well.

I like the old school heavy metal bands like AC/DC and Aeromith. I like that type of music. As the director, I tried to influence the type of music the bands in the movie would play.

I will govern according to the common weal, but not according to the common will.

Acting careers are very interesting things. They come with a lot of ups and downs. You just have to ride the waves and bide your time during the lulls, and enjoy the high times when they're there.

I think I’ve got something else to help center my life.