- Most people seem to think I'm the kind of guy who shaves with a blowtorch. Actually I'm bookish and worrisome.
- [on being a director] It's the best job in the picture business because when you're a director, you're God. And you know that's the best job in town.
- Life is to be lived within the limits of your knowledge and within the concept of what you would like to see yourself to be.
- [speaking in 1983] Tits and sand - that's what we used to call sex and violence in Hollywood.
- I don't know why Airport (1970) was nominated for any Oscars - it's the biggest piece of junk ever.
- We're all forgotten sooner or later. But not films. That's all the memorial we should need or hope for.
- I woke up one day a star. It was terrifying. Then I worked hard toward becoming a good actor.
- [advice to actor Bruce Davison, on the set of Ulzana's Raid (1972)] You try to please the director, and the cameraman and the soundman, and you're acting and acting and acting and by the time you come to your close-up, you've shot your wad. It's like making love to a woman: you can't try to come all at once, son. A bit of a tit here, a bit of an inner thigh there, and you have a performance!
- [upon being offered Ben-Hur (1959)] I don't want to make this film. It's a piece of crap.
- If I'm working with frightened people, I do tend to dominate them. I'm no doll, that's for sure.
- [on Kirk Douglas] Kirk would be the first to admit that he's difficult to work with - and I would be the second.
- [in 1976] Whether you like it or not, when you're 62 you are fulfilled.
- [in 1985] If anyone should have gotten AIDS from an active sex life, it is me.
- [on Montgomery Clift] He had so much power, so much concentration. Clift was a complicated man, there's no question about it. He was a very sweet man, Monty, very emotional.
- [on Kirk Douglas] We both came from, sort of, well, shall we say, humble beginnings. We were both young, brash, cocky, arrogant. We knew everything, were highly opinionated. We were invincible. Nobody liked us.
- In my opinion, Shirley Booth is the finest actress I have ever worked with.
- [on working with Montgomery Clift on From Here to Eternity (1953)] The only time I was ever really afraid as an actor was that first scene with Clift. It was my scene, understand: I was the sergeant, I gave the orders, he was just a private under me. Well, when we started, I couldn't stop my knees from shaking. I thought they might have to stop because my trembling would show. I was afraid he was going to blow me right off the screen.
- Genius is a pretty dangerous thing to have. Genius is too erratic. It's better just to be talented.
- [on Go Tell the Spartans (1978)] One of the best scripts I've read and certainly the best I've had for myself in a few years.
- You have to fight against being an antique.
- [In 1984 about his career] When I think of my least favorite, I think of Rope of Sand (1949). I did that thing under great duress. I hated it.
- I judge a restaurant by the bread and by the coffee.
- My former wife is a truly wonderful person.
- I always try to improve, to find new ways of expressing myself, to keep looking for truth and originality.
- I found marriage somewhat stifling. I don't know that I am the kind of man who ought to be married.
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