I went into the business for the money, and the art grew out of it. If people are disillusioned by that remark, I can't help it. It's the truth.

I do not have much patience with a thing of beauty that must be explained to be understood. If it does need additional interpretation by someone other than the creator, then I question whether it has fulfilled its purpose.

Failure is unimportant. It takes courage to make a fool of yourself.

We all want to help one another. Human beings are like that. We want to live by each other's happiness, not by each other's misery.

A tramp, a gentleman, a poet, a dreamer, a lonely fellow, always hopeful of romance and adventure.

Why should poetry have to make sense?

I am at peace with God. My conflict is with Man.

The hate of men will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people. And so long as men die, liberty will never perish.

Man as an individual is a genius. But men in the mass form the headless monster, a great, brutish idiot that goes where prodded.

Movies are a fad. Audiences really want to see live actors on a stage.

Life could be wonderful if people would leave you alone.

All my pictures are built around the idea of getting in trouble and so giving me the chance to be desperately serious in my attempt to appear as a normal little gentleman.

The saddest thing I can imagine is to get used to luxury.

Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, but a comedy in long-shot.