Werner Herzog

Film & Theater German 1942 379 quotes

Visionary filmmaker and profound quotable figure

Most quoted

"There are deeper strata of truth in cinema, and there is such a thing as poetic, ecstatic truth. It is mysterious and elusive, and can be reached only through fabrication and imagination and stylization."

— from Minnesota Declaration, 1999

"I don't think there's any such thing as 'nature' in the abstract. There's only the nature of this particular jungle, this particular desert, this particular mountain range. And they are all hostile."

— from Various interviews

"I don't think there's any such thing as a natural born filmmaker. I think you have to be a little bit crazy to want to be a filmmaker."

— from Interview

All quotes by Werner Herzog (379)

The most important thing in life is to be curious.

Various interviews

The internet is a sewer.

Lo and Behold, Reveries of the Connected World 2016

I have learned to live with the fact that I will never be understood.

Various interviews

The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.

Various interviews

The world is a mystery. And I am here to explore it.

Various interviews

I am not a pessimist. I am a realist.

Various interviews

I don't believe in God. But I believe in the power of the human spirit.

Various interviews

I don't make films for money. I make films for art.

Various interviews

The only thing that matters is the story.

Various interviews

I am not a genius. I am just a hard worker.

Various interviews

The world is a beautiful place. But it is also a dangerous place.

Various interviews

I don't believe in rules. I believe in instinct.

Various interviews

The only way to learn is to make mistakes.

Various interviews

I don't believe in miracles. I believe in hard work.

Various interviews

The world is a dream. And I am a dreamer.

Various interviews

I don't believe in destiny. I believe in choice.

Various interviews

The only way to be truly free is to be alone.

Various interviews

I don't believe in happiness. I believe in meaning.

Various interviews

The world is a paradox. And I am a part of it.

Various interviews

I don't believe in perfection. I believe in authenticity.

Various interviews