Without magic, there is no art. Without art, there is no idealism. Without idealism, there is no integrity. Without integrity, there is nothing but production.

The wise screen writer is he who wears his second-best suit, artistically speaking, and doesn't take things too much to heart. He should have a touch of cynicism, but only a touch. The complete cynic is as useless to Hollywood as he is to himself. He should do the best he can without straining at it. He should be scrupulously honest about his work, but he should not expect scrupulous honesty in return. He won't get it. And when he has had enough, he should say goodbye with a smile, because for all he knows he may want to go back.

I knew one thing: as soon as anyone said you didn't need a gun, you'd better take one along that worked.

I'm all done with hating you. It's all washed out of me. I hate people hard, but I don't hate them very long.

The more you reason the less you create.

I hung up. It was a good start, but it didn’t go far enough. I ought to have locked the door and hidden under the desk.

I've found that there are only two kinds that are any good: slang that has established itself in the language, and slang that you make up yourself. Everything else is apt to be passe before it gets into print.