Cormac McCarthy's language is perfect. He is in my view the greatest living American prose stylist.

Cormac McCarthy's language is perfect. He is in my view the greatest living American prose stylist.

Tommy Lee Jones

All I can say is if the part doesn't delight me in some way, or I can't feel any compassion for it, I just can't do it.

All I can say is if the part doesn't delight me in some way, or I can't feel any compassion for it, I just can't do it.

Things are never going to turn out how you think they will.

Things are never going to turn out how you think they will.

Truth is always unfolding. It's not an absolute.

Truth is always unfolding. It's not an absolute.

Either you're growing or you're decaying; there's no middle ground. If you're standing still, you're decaying.

Either you're growing or you're decaying; there's no middle ground. If you're standing still, you're decaying.

I know that if I can't move people, then I have no business being an actor.

I know that if I can't move people, then I have no business being an actor.

Acting is fun for me and it doesn't really matter how, whether it's hard work or easy work, it's always fun.

Acting is fun for me and it doesn't really matter how, whether it's hard work or easy work, it's always fun.

I don't analyze things like titles.

I don't analyze things like titles.

I don't direct movies for a living.

I don't direct movies for a living.

I'm an actor, I'm always looking for work. I was born to do that.

I'm an actor, I'm always looking for work. I was born to do that.

As an actor to watch an audience of people howl together in a single mind as a result of work you've done together with friends is a privilege.

As an actor to watch an audience of people howl together in a single mind as a result of work you've done together with friends is a privilege.

I don't fight anybody anytime or anywhere.

I don't fight anybody anytime or anywhere.

I look upon pride as a sin.

I look upon pride as a sin.

I try as hard as I can for everything to be different from one movie to the next.

I try as hard as I can for everything to be different from one movie to the next.

As an actor I want to do as many takes as I can. I wanna shoot the scene... or shoot the shot 'til they make me quit.

As an actor I want to do as many takes as I can. I wanna shoot the scene... or shoot the shot 'til they make me quit.

Meryl Streep does not make mistakes. Sometimes the world just can't keep up.

Meryl Streep does not make mistakes. Sometimes the world just can't keep up.

I think any stereotyping is too much.

I think any stereotyping is too much.

In the political world, the only position I have is a voter. I'm not a spokesman for anything.

In the political world, the only position I have is a voter. I'm not a spokesman for anything.

I know a lot of cowboys and I've done a little work on ranches with cattle, and those people become your friends, and keep their word.

I know a lot of cowboys and I've done a little work on ranches with cattle, and those people become your friends, and keep their word.