"In a world we find terrifying, we ratify that which doesn't threaten us."

"Policemen so cherish their status as keepers of the peace and protectors of the public that they have occasionally been known to beat to death those citizens or groups who question that status."

"I hate vacations. There's nothing to do."

"It's only words... unless they're true."

"Every reiteration of the idea that nothing matters debases the human spirit."

"The product of the artist has become less important than the fact of the artist. We wish to absorb this person. We wish to devour someone who has experienced the tragic. In our society this person is much more important than anything he might create."

"People may or may not say what they mean... but they always say something designed to get what they want."

"I always thought the real violence in Hollywood isn't what's on the screen. It's what you have to do to raise the money."

"We respond to a drama to that extent to which it corresponds to our dreamlife."

"I grew up in a tough neighborhood and we used to say you can get further with a kind word and a gun than just a kind word."

"A good film script should be able to do completely without dialogue."

"The surprise is half the battle. Many things are half the battle, losing is half the battle. Let's think about what's the whole battle."

"Films have degenerated to their original operation as carnival amusement - they offer not drama but thrills."

"Always tell the truth - it's the easiest thing to remember."