"In all human affairs, the wisest course is to be passionate about the role of reason and reasonable about the role of passion."

“I think that people who don't like animals tend to be selfish, but I'm biased.”

“When I try to understand somebody, create a character, I fall into them. When I think writers are telling me what to think, I get harrumphy.”

“If you stare into the Abyss long enough the Abyss stares back at you.”

“The term “starvation diet” refers to 900 calories a day. I was on one-third of a starvation diet. What do you call that? One word that comes to my mind: “suicide.”

“There's so much else to do in the world. To just be interested in doing films would limit my life.”

“It is the poor man who clenches so tightly to the gold he is given - for fear of losing it. The man of wealth spends his gold freely to accomplish his will in the world. It is the same with life.' Suddenly ashamed of my conspicuous poverty, I lowered my eyes. But Scatha placed a hand beneath my chin and raised my head. 'Cling too tightly to your life and you will lose it, my Reluctant Warrior. You must become the master of your life, not its slave.”

“When a reporter sits down at the typewriter, he’s nobody’s friend.”

“From Bourbon Street to Baton Rouge, the freaks come out at night in Louisiana. And nowhere are they more raucous and unnerving than at Tiger Stadium.”