Some people possess talent, others are possessed by it. When that happens, a talent becomes a curse.

I think the destiny of all men is not to sit in the rubble of their own making but to reach out for an ultimate perfection which is to be had. At the moment, it is a dream. But as of the moment we clasp hands with our neighbor, we build the first span to bridge the gap between the young and the old. At this hour, it’s a wish. But we have it within our power to make it a reality. If you want to prove that God is not dead, first prove that man is alive.

Every Superstate has one iron rule: logic is an enemy and the truth is a menace.

for civilization to survive, the human race has to remain civilized.

Emmies, for example, most of that's bullshit. Oscars are even worse. We have a strange, terrible affliction in this town. Everybody walks around bent-backed from slapping each other on the backs so much. It looks like arthritis but it isn't. It's hunger for recognition. And it's sort of like, well, I'll scratch you this time if you'll scratch me next time. That kind of thing.

Whenever you write, whatever you write, never make the mistake of assuming the audience is any less intelligent than you are.

I guess Requiem for a Heavyweight as old as it is was as honest a piece as I've ever done.