Trying Quotes - Page 231

I am conscious of trying to stretch the boundaries of non-fiction writing. It's always surprised me how little attention many non-fiction writers pay to the formal aspects of their work.

Changing the direction of a large company is like trying to turn an aircraft carrier. It takes a mile before anything happens. And if it was a wrong turn, getting back on course takes even longer.

I'm constantly striving to break through to something new. You try to maintain a neutral approach to your work, and not be too hard on yourself.

I'm a natural born show off. I love performing, and at school we had a really good music scene and an even better drama scene. When I got to university, I played in bands and did sketch stuff and it was always about coming up with material, which is why I never really practised and have no chops!! When I left uni, I carried on playing and trying out at stand-up.

When I record, it feels like I'm in a bubble. There's nothing else in my head right then. It's just that song, and I'm trying to really sound like what the song is about.

Be content with what nature made you, or run the risk of earning contempt by trying to be what you're not.

Good satire goes beyond the specific point it’s trying to make and teaches you how to think critically. Even after your favorite cartoonist retires or [Stephen] Colbert wraps it up, you’re not left believing everything they’re telling you.

Try to bring me down, but you will never succeed because I'm always moving upward. Maybe not before, but now ... I am.

I have a dreadful fear that the more you try to prevent revealing the self the more you do.

If you just try long enough and hard enough, you can always manage to boot yourself in the posterior.

If possible, try to find a way to come downstairs that doesn't involve going bump, bump, bump, on the back of your head.

If you have grasped the purpose of life there is no point in trying to make life into something it is not or cannot be.

There's no point in being scared of just trying.

I always like to cite John Cage's mantra, "If you can stand it for two-minutes, try it for four." In fact, when I look at some of those early films of mine, I think, "Oh my God. Cut it, cut it." The general sense of duration has changed over the years, my own sensibility with it.

I've spent a lot of time and money trying to keep my anger in control.

There is a childlike side in the work of the Dadaists, Klee, Miró, Calder and Picasso. I am trying to make things that are very, very serious, and what comes out of it is things that are quite friendly, gay, and sometimes even amusing. [Chaim] Soutine tried to work like Rembrandt, and yet there is nothing of Rembrandt in his pictures.

End production today. Wrap party as usual a little sad. Slow danced with Scarlett. Broke her toe. Not my fault. When she dipped me back, I stepped on it. Penélope [Cruz] and Javier [Bardem] anxious to work with me again. Said if I ever come up with another screenplay to try and find them. Goodbye drink with Rebecca [Hall]. Sentimental moment. Everyone in cast and crew chipped in and bought me a ballpoint pen.

You see a lot over 30 years and you try to be professional and responsible. A lot of the interviews you do can be very haunting.

Isn't a person who can live on nothing much stronger? I try to nurture that transformation in myself.

Just to paint is great fun ... Try it if you have not done so - before you die.

I was not the first choice for Veronica in Heathers. I auditioned and they were like, "Oh, thanks." And I went to the Beverly Center to Macy's and had them do a makeover on me. I went back because I kind of knew that they thought I wasn't pretty enough. They were trying to get Jennifer Connelly.

If anything, I see myself as a witness. I'd also be pleased, if you'd call me an interpreter. I try to hear and see the message of a place and pass it on, into that other language, the universal one of images.

We are ready to try our fortunes to the last man.

Never try to take a fortified hill, especially if the Army on top is bigger than you are

What I hope is that I don't just become 'Peter from The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.' I want to try and do something else to be a good actor and a respected actor.