I'm really impotent against the overwhelming bleakness of the universe and the only thing I can do is my little gift [filmmaking] and do it the best I can, [...] which is cold comfort.

I think Frank Capra was a much craftier filmmaker, a wonderful filmmaker. He had enormous technique, and he knew how to manipulate the public quite brilliantly.

90 per cent of success is turning up.

Life is a tragedy filled with suffering and despair and yet some people do manage to avoid jury duty.

I was a smart kid and I was not understood by my parents.

I've always liked, someday the lamb will lay by the lion.... but it won't get much sleep.

I'm twelve years old. I run into a synagogue. I ask the rabbi the meaning of life. He tells me the meaning of life but he tells it to me in Hebrew. I don't understand Hebrew. Then he wants to charge me $600 for Hebrew lessons.