Tom Cruise Quotes

I want a world without war, a world without insanity. I want to see people do well. I don't even think it's as much as what I want for myself. It's more what I want for the people around me. That's what I want. Do I make mistakes? Yeah. I've spent many birthdays on a movie set, all great days. I'm an all-or-nothing kind of person, and when I become interested in something, I give it my all. When I first started out all the attention could be a bit unnerving, especially when people stared. Now I find the best thing is to just relax. Being recognized is just something you have to get used to. What I find sometimes that is tricky is if actors are using too much of their own life in a picture, in a scene, they get locked into a particular way to play the scene, and it lacks an immediacy. The thing about film-making is I give it everything, that's why I work so hard. I always tell young actors to take charge. It's not that hard. Sign your own cheques, be responsible. I've never made a film that I didn't believe in, you know? However the picture turns out, I've always given everything to it. That's kind of how I approach life. I can't help it. There's no part-way with me on anything in any area of my life. I've learned to relax more. Everybody feels pressure in what they do, maybe mine is just a little different because there doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day to accomplish what I want to. I like to work with people that I like hanging out with, that I admire, that are really smart and talented, and we can problem solve together. I've always had the same values. Family for me has always been important. When I shoot, everybody comes. When I work, I'm the actor. I'm going to do my job. I'm not going to direct the movie. If I wanted to direct it, I would direct it. I wanted J.J. Abrams to direct Mission: Impossible. I work with people that I respect. I expect them to do their jobs, and I will do mine. And I am there as a producer to help in any way, but no one makes a movie by themselves. It's a collaboration. I disagree with people who think you learn more from getting beat up than you do from winning. You know what? I'm sure drug dealers on the street, in some way, they are making money. That's what I equate it to. Here is the thing: you have to understand, with psychiatry, there is no science behind it. And to pretend that there is a science behind it is criminal I just want to help people. I'm a helper. For instance, I myself have helped hundreds of people get off drugs. In Scientology, we have the only successful drug rehabilitation program in the world. It's called Narconon. I also realise power is fleeting, it doesn't last forever in this career, so I want to make the most of it. I want to make the kinds of pictures that interest me, it's as simple as that. I've never done work for money ever. If your choices are based on grosses and the film doesn't do well, what does that mean? It leaves you with nothing. When I'm promoting a film, I'm not going to get caught up in anything else, and that includes all my personal things. I'm always around my mother and sisters. I always wanted to be a father, a husband. Individuals have to decide what is true and real for them. Whether it's making a film or raising my children, personally I'm striving to do the right things and to learn. I've been... chased by paparazzi, and they run lights, and they chase you and harass you the whole time. It happens all over the world, and it has certainly gotten worse. You don't know what it's like being chased by them. I just eat life... I engage in life. As a kid, when I got to the edge of a cliff I wanted to jump off. I didn't want to kill myself. I wanted to fly. Today, people can say anything they want. Suddenly it gets in the rumor mill and then it evolves and then somehow it becomes fact and you say, What is this? You know, why don't you ask me? I'm someone who doesn't believe in making my problems other people's problems. But I think also you look at Scientology it is the fastest growing religion. It's helped so many people. Talk is over-rated as a means of settling disputes I believe in life. I know that life comes in at your heart and it doesn't matter if you're an actor, a filmmaker or a gentleman on the street, it comes at you. What Scientology gives me is the tools to deal with that, to better enjoy my life and to be able to contribute more. I don't care if you print something nasty about me. If it's true, fine. I don't care. But just make sure it's the truth. Who hasn't danced in their underwear?