“All the religions are true, they just see a different part of the elephant.”

It’s okay to lose; just don’t lose the lesson.

There is no why. We are. Life is beyond reason.

Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.

Don’t avoid the cliches – they are cliches because they work!

It’s hard work making movies. It’s like being a doctor: you work long hours, very hard hours, and it’s emotional, tense work. If you don’t really love it, then it ain’t worth it.

Whatever has happened in my quest for innovation has been part of my quest for immaculate reality.

It’s now time for me to pass Star Wars on to a new generation of filmmakers. I’ve always believed that Star Wars could live beyond me, and I thought it was important to set up the transition during my lifetime.

The underlying issues, the psychological motives, in all my movies have been the same, he said. Personal responsibility and friendship, the importance of a compassionate life as opposed to a passionate life.

Always remember, your focus determines your reality.

Art is the retelling of certain themes in a new light, making them accessible to the public of the moment.

Storytelling is about two things; it’s about character and plot.

The best way to truly understand narrative art is to experience it.

A special effect is a tool, a means of telling a story. A special effect without a story is a pretty boring thing.

People who alter or destroy works of art and our cultural heritage for profit or as an exercise of power are barbarians.

You simply have to put one foot in front of the other and keep going. Put blinders on and plow right ahead.

Sound is 50 percent of the movie going experience, and I’ve always believed audiences are moved and excited by what they hear in my movies at least as much as by what they see.

If your dog doesn’t like someone, you probably shouldn’t either.

It is easy to conquer the world from the back of a horse.

When a horse wants to display himself, he lifts his neck up high and flexes his poll haughtily, and picks his legs up freely, and keeps his tail up.

Expelled from the truth of Being, man everywhere circles around himself as the animal rationale.

If you want to imagine the future, imagine a boy and his dog and his friends. And a summer that never ends.

Being the rational animal, man must be capable of thinking if he really wants to. Still, it may be that man wants to think, but cannot.

Those who were adept and brave fellows I have made military commanders. Those who were quick and nimble I have made herders of horses. Those who were not adept I have given a small whip and sent to be shepherds.

I could take you for a walk on the beach and I could point out just about any creature and give you their Latin names.