There's a great tradition of actors taking on parts of much less obvious sympathy.

I have nothing against diamonds, or rubies or emeralds or sapphires. I do object when their acquisition is complicit in the debasement of children or the destruction of a country.

I think one of the privileges of being a filmmaker is the opportunity to remain a kind of perpetual student.

There is no reason why challenging themes and engaging stories have to be mutually exclusive - in fact, each can fuel the other.

It's always great to do a movie that you find is entertaining, but also can give some sort of political or social message.

I don't think movies can ever be too intense, but people have to understand why you're showing them the things you are showing them.

You do these movies, you give it out to the world and you really have no idea how people are going to react to you.

However much I may like to talk about or be interested in a more philosophical or moral agenda, [film] is, ultimately, about narrative. And it's about telling stories that are engaging and dramatic.

I never thought about that ever throughout the entire course of my career about choosing a specific role because it would make me seem more man-like.

I've been in plenty of situations where I thought the film would turn out one way or my performance would be looked at one way and it was an entirely different situation.

There is a segment of the American population that has been excluded from the national myth, and that should be redressed.

Hopes are like hair ornaments. Girls want to wear too many of them. When they become old women they look silly wearing even one.

Sometimes the Lord allows us to go through tough times so we learn to rely upon Him.

It is the civilian part of the politics that is very, very bad, and we have to change that.

Women like me. Women love me, so if I really wanted to involve the women, I don't have to assault the women.

A lot of people have told me, you know, that what I've written about, they identify with strongly.

I wrote 'The Art of the Deal' and numerous other books. Some were number one best-sellers. I guess 'The Art of the Deal' is the best-selling business book of all time.

The populace is like the sea motionless in itself, but stirred by every wind, even the lightest breeze.

The more compassionate you are, the more generous you can be. The more generous you are, the move loving friendliness you cultivate to help the world.

Water flows from high in the mountains Water runs deep in the Earth Miraculously, water comes to us, And sustains all life.

Things are not as bad as it seems. The situations that cause us sorrow are the same ones that introduce us to the strength, power and wisdom that we truly are.