I suppose even when I was growing up, I noticed I was most happy when I was absorbed in something, lost in the moment and forgot the time, whether was conversation, movie, or a game I was playing. That was my definition of happiness. And I was least happy when I was all over the place, distracted and restless.

I think writing is really about a journey of understanding. So you take something that seems very far away, and the more you write about it, the more you travel into it, and you see it from within.

A traveler is really not someone who crosses ground so much as someone who is always hungry for the next challenge and adventure.

Not having a car gives me volumes not to think or worry about, and makes walks around the neighborhood a daily adventure.

Whenever it is possible, a boy should choose some occupation which he should do even if he did not need the money.

Perfect happiness is a beautiful sunset, the giggle of a grandchild, the first snowfall. It's the little things that make happy moments, not the grand events. Joy comes in sips, not gulps.

Women are, I think, moved by the idea that self-sacrifice is noble and can be the source of great joy.

Now while the German money is over for Hollywood, I still have $80 million to make movies, and we will have two things coming up: less major movies and the price for actors will go down.