The supposition that the future resembles the past, is not founded on arguments of any kind, but is derived entirely from habit.

There is no such thing as freedom of choice unless there is freedom to refuse.

Nothing is more surprising than the easiness with which the many are governed by the few.

Beauty in things exists in the mind which contemplates them.

A wise man proportions his belief to the evidence.

When men are most sure and arrogant they are commonly most mistaken, giving views to passion without that proper deliberation which alone can secure them from the grossest absurdities.

The life of man is of no greater importance to the universe than that of an oyster.

Be a philosopher but, amid all your philosophy be still a man.

A propensity to hope and joy is real riches; one to fear and sorrow real poverty.

All knowledge degenerates into probability.

It is an absurdity to believe that the Deity has human passions, and one of the lowest of human passions, a restless appetite for applause

Being the first to do anything takes guts.

There are some things you learn best in calm and some in storm.

The only thing that is more expensive than education is ignorance.

People, like water, will run downhill, seeking their lowest level unless something interdicts them.

Better a good decision quickly than the best decision too late.

Time is that wherein there is opportunity, and opportunity is that wherein there is no great time.

Most of the time I dress depending on my mood. I just throw on whatever I feel like wearing at the time, which tends to come from the palette of black, grey or red.

I was painfully shy as a child.

Some of the worst things in my life never even happened.

As a director, I also get to sit and watch actors and learn from them in a way that I don't get to do when I'm just acting.