The pretence that numbers are not the humble creation of man, but are the exacting language of the Universe and therefore possess the secret of all things, is comforting, terrifying and mesmeric.

I've always been fascinated by maps and cartography. A map tells you where you've been, where you are, and where you're going -- in a sense it's three tenses in one.

I have always had severe problems with Austrians. ... Musical, churchy, uptight... nice legs... hypocritical... authoritarian... always insist their dustbins are very clean.

I have often thought it was very arrogant to suppose you could make a film for anybody but yourself.

I really, sincerely believe that one should trust the work, and not the author.

You can play lacrosse all over the world provided you know where the goalposts are.

I wanted to make a cinema of ideas, not plots, and to use the same aesthetics as painting, which has always paid great attention to formal devices of structure, composition and framing.

Works of art are never finished, just stopped.

Every historian has a vested interest. "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire" was not about the Roman but the British empire. What price the truth?

I always think that art is one of the most wonderful exciting curious ways to learn. I have no worries or apologies about art being used as a teaching medium.

Only cinema narrows its concern down to its content, that is to its story. It should, instead, concern itself with its form, its structure.

In BANKSY we trust.

As much as I live I shall not imitate them or hate myself for being different to them

And Sky?” he asked, his voice soft. “Yes?”“Maybe you don’t need me, but I need you.

He who thinks with difficulty believes with alacrity.

My teammates know I'm down to earth. I'll joke with them. But when it comes to basketball, I try to be serious about it.

But Sergio Leone invented totally the way of, you know, the details, the eyes, the hands - fantastic.

I don't care so much anymore about 'good photography'; I am gathering evidence for history.

A lot of people hear the records on the radio, they aren't absolutely sure who exactly Tears For Fears is, they just know they like the song.

I was born to argue... I don't know why. I mean, from arguing with my teachers and, on occasions, my parents. I think I've mastered the art of argument at a fairly young age.

All abilities are paid for with disabilities. perfect health may entail the heavy toll of bovine stupidity. insight into one area involves blind spots in another.