“Part of the reason my friends and I became successful is that we were always helping each other.”

My life is making movies. I like storytelling, and I’ve got a lot of stories that are stored up in my head that I hope to get out before my time is up.

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.

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

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.

Women are not pals enough with men, so we must make ourselves indispensable. After all, we have the greatest weapon in our hands by just being women.

We are not our partner’s therapist, psychologist, teacher, judge. We are their friend, ally, and partner in healing.

It is a friendly heart that has plenty of friends.

Let go of the mistakes you once made. Forgive yourself for making them. Just like you forgive your friends when they make a mistake.

You are my lover, you’re my best friend. You’re in my soul.

In the cookie of life, friends are the chocolate chips.

I know you’re shining down on me from Heaven, like so many friends we’ve lost along the way. And I know eventually we’ll be together, one sweet day.

Some folk want their luck buttered.