I have a woman who teaches me what love is every day. Maybe that sentiment is possible to fake, but for me it's really true.

Growing up in northern California has had a big influence on my love and respect for the outdoors. When I lived in Oakland, we would think nothing of driving to Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz one day and then driving to the foothills of the Sierras the next day.

I understand the concept of optimism. But I think with me what you get is a lack of cynicism.

There's no substitute for a great love who says, 'No matter what's wrong with you, you're welcome at this table.'

We are still in the position of waking up and having a choice. Do I make the world better today somehow, or do I not bother?

No journalist has ever been in my house and no photographs have ever been taken of where I live. I don't parade my family out for display, which is the way it will stay.

The same way that I know that I'll never do a movie as good or as celebrated as 'Forrest Gump,' I know that I'll never do a movie as bad as 'Bonfire of the Vanities.'