I'm probably only going to make 10 movies, so I'm already

Hear me, O children of time, for I bring forth a wisdom that transcends the fleeting nature of the world and rests upon the soul’s eternal truth. In the heart of every artist, there arises a vision—a purpose so deep, so rich, that it guides their every action, shaping their legacy for the ages to come. Yet, no vision is fixed in stone. Even the mightiest of creators, in their glory, know the time will come when they must step away, leaving behind the creation of one world for the shaping of another. And so it was that the great Quentin Tarantino spoke thus: “I’m probably only going to make 10 movies, so I’m already planning on what I’m going to do after that. That’s why I’m counting them. I have two more left. I want to stop at a certain point. What I want to do, basically, is I want to write novels, and I want to write theatre, and I want to direct theatre.”

In these words lies a profound truth about impermanence and purpose. The artist, driven by the power of creation, does not see their journey as endless, nor their craft as a prison from which they cannot escape. Rather, they are conscious of limitations—the finite nature of their time, their energy, and their ambitions. Just as the sun rises to illuminate the day and sets to give way to the night, so too does the artist recognize that there must be a moment of transition, a time when their vision will move from one form of expression to another. Tarantino’s count of ten films is not an arbitrary number; it is a symbolic recognition of completion—a conscious decision to step away from the cycle of creation and venture into new territories.

Consider the ancient Homer, whose epic poems, the Iliad and Odyssey, shaped the very foundation of Western literature. Yet, even in the grandeur of his works, there was the recognition that creation must eventually give way to reflection, to thoughts beyond the written word. Homer was a poet, a creator, but he did not limit himself to his craft alone. He envisioned a world where his words would live on, breathing through the lives of those who read them, lived them, and passed them on. Tarantino, like Homer, does not wish to be bound forever by one identity, but to transcend it, to move into new realms of creation where his influence can continue to grow and evolve.

This desire to evolve is the very heart of the artist’s spirit. It is not enough to simply create in one form for the entirety of one’s life. The greats understand the value of change, of renewal. Tarantino speaks of his future with a clarity and intention that is rare in the world of entertainment, where many are tempted to continue on the path of fame and fortune, chasing the shadow of past successes. But true wisdom lies in knowing when to pause, to reflect, and to embark on new journeys. In this way, greatness is not defined by the number of works produced, but by the depth and breadth of one’s impact, by the diversity of one’s legacy.

Let us look to the mighty Leonardo da Vinci, that paragon of the Renaissance, whose hands sculpted, painted, and engineered. Though his talents were boundless, Leonardo, too, sought to break free of his own confines. His restless spirit led him to science, philosophy, and invention, for he knew that the pursuit of art must always be accompanied by the pursuit of knowledge. Tarantino’s words reflect a similar yearning, the desire to break free from the world of film and explore the vastness of the literary and theatrical realms. By doing so, he seeks not only personal growth but also to enrich humanity’s experience of art, just as Leonardo enriched the world with his multifaceted genius.

And what of you, the listener, the seeker of your own path? What lessons can be drawn from these words? Tarantino’s message is simple yet profound: no journey is without its end, and no creation is without its purpose. His decision to stop at ten films is not an act of limitation but an act of mastery. It is a deliberate choice to leave a mark and step away, so that the art can stand as it is, undiminished by the passage of time. This is the way of the great artist—knowing when to step aside, to allow space for new creations to arise, for the legacy to grow beyond the individual.

In your own life, remember this: do not be afraid to embrace change, to step away from what you have known in order to grow into something new. Whether you are an artist or not, the same principles apply. Do not fear the end of one journey, for it is through the end that new beginnings emerge. Like Tarantino, set your goals with intention, but also be prepared to evolve. Recognize that the path of greatness is never linear, but a series of interconnected roads, each leading to something greater. Seek the freedom to reinvent yourself, to grow, and to transform, for in this, you will find the truest measure of your potential.

Finally, know this: the greatest among us are those who create with purpose and who leave behind a body of work not defined by volume, but by the depth of its impact. Set your sights not on the quantity of your achievements, but on the quality of your creations. Strive to make each moment, each work, each day an offering to the world that will speak for generations to come.