“Wisdom comes through suffering. Trouble, with its memories of pain.”

My will is mine, I shall not make it soft for you.

From a small seed a mighty trunk may grow.

Reverence for parents stands written among the three laws of most revered righteousness.

Excessive fear is always powerless.

Simple is the speech of truth.

By the sword you did your work, and by the sword you die.

Know yourself and fit yourself to new fashions. For there is a new ruler among the gods.

When evil come on those we dearly love, never shall we betray them.

There is no avoidance in delay.

Fear is stronger than arms.

Give me an answer which is plain to understand.

Horror gives place to wonder at your true account; The rest outstrips our comprehension; we give up.

Justice inclines her scales so that wisdom comes at the price of suffering.

Call no man happy till he is dead.

Better to die on your feet than live on your knees.

The reward of suffering is experience.

It is better to die than to preserve this life by incurring disgrace. The loss of life causes but a moment’s grief, but disgrace brings grief every day of one’s life.

Illness and problems are the specialties of life. But the death of a child is a cause of mental agony which can be overcome if one concedes this world to be a stage or stadium wherein praiseworthy are those who are not proud of their achievement and those who do not cry at their defeat.

I’ve told you the four thunderstorms – disappointment, frustration, unfairness and isolation. You cannot avoid them, as like the monsoon they will come into your life at regular intervals. You just need to keep the raincoat handy to not let the spark die.

As long as the shackles of wealth and property bind us, we will remain accursed forever and never attain the altar of humanity, which is life’s ultimate goal.

Life is best spent in alleviating pain, assuaging distress, and promoting peace and joy. The service of man is more valuable than what you call “service to God.” God has no need of your service. Pleas man, you please God.

This is a new point in my life, and things are totally changing. But like the sunsets I saw on Tybee Island, the miles I’ve already gone are going to stay with me.

In ease of body, peace of mind, all the different ranks of life are nearly upon a level and the beggar who suns himself by the side of the highway, possesses that security which kings are fighting for.

The characters I portray are an extension of what I’ve seen, heard, or read, and so what you see in my films are how I understand life.