That's the most important thing to me - that if I'm gonna spend

In the words of Brad Pitt, an artist shaped by both craft and contemplation, we find a truth that transcends the walls of cinema: “That's the most important thing to me — that if I'm gonna spend however long it takes to make a movie, give up 14 hours a day for however many weeks or months, then it's very important for me to know that I'm working with people who I respect and enjoy and that we're going for something together.” These words, though born from the world of film, speak to the essence of all human endeavor — the sacred bond of collaboration, the pursuit of shared purpose, and the profound respect that must exist among those who strive together toward creation.

The origin of this quote lies in the life of a man who has spent decades not only in front of the camera but within the crucible of creative labor. For Brad Pitt, filmmaking is not a solitary act but a communion — a gathering of spirits bound by a common dream. In his words, we sense not the vanity of a star, but the humility of a craftsman. The hours are long, the work is demanding, and the art is never guaranteed. Yet what gives those long days meaning is not the glamour of fame, but the respect and fellowship of those who labor beside him. To work with people you admire, to chase a vision together — this is the fire that sustains the artist’s soul.

There is a wisdom here that echoes through the centuries. For no great work — no cathedral, no symphony, no voyage of discovery — was ever built alone. The builders of the Great Pyramids, the sculptors of Michelangelo’s Florence, the explorers who crossed uncharted seas — all were bound by a sense of shared endeavor. They toiled together not for comfort, but for something greater than themselves. Their respect for one another’s craft became the mortar that held their work aloft. In the same way, Pitt’s reflection reminds us that even in modern times, the essence of creation remains the same: the bond between souls who believe in a common goal.

To spend “14 hours a day,” as he says, is to surrender a part of one’s life — and such devotion must never be given lightly. The artist knows that time is sacred, and that the company one keeps during creation shapes not only the work, but the spirit. In the ancient guilds, apprentices chose their masters with care, and masters chose their companions with reverence, for they knew that the quality of their art would be measured by the trust within the workshop. So too does Pitt remind us: that our companions in work must be those who lift us higher, who honor the same ideals, and who share in both the triumph and the burden of the journey.

There is a story from the making of one of Pitt’s films, “The Tree of Life,” a work steeped in philosophy and emotion. Under the direction of Terrence Malick, the production demanded patience, trust, and openness to discovery. Scenes were improvised, light was fleeting, and meaning unfolded in silence. Yet amid the uncertainty, Pitt spoke of the deep respect he held for his collaborators — the cameramen chasing the sun, the actors surrendering ego, the crew breathing life into chaos. It was not comfort that sustained them, but the sense of shared creation, the belief that together they were building something true. That, he said, was what made the labor worth it.

In these words lies a lesson not only for artists, but for all who work, strive, or dream. Whether one builds bridges, teaches children, or tends the land, the truth remains the same: respect and harmony among companions give purpose to toil. Without them, labor becomes hollow; with them, even hardship becomes joy. To choose wisely the people you walk beside is to honor your own spirit and the time you are given. Seek not only the skilled, but the kind; not only the brilliant, but the sincere. For it is better to walk slowly with those you trust than to run swiftly with those who do not share your heart.

So, my children, take this wisdom and let it guide your steps: surround yourself with those you respect, and respect those who walk beside you. Let your work, whatever it may be, become a place of shared meaning rather than competition. Give your energy only to endeavors that bring light to others as well as to yourself. For in every journey, from the smallest project to the grandest dream, the true treasure is not the finished work, but the fellowship that sustains it.

And remember the quiet truth that Brad Pitt offers — that life, like art, is long and demanding, and time is too precious to spend it among those who do not uplift your soul. Work with those who inspire you. Create with those who believe. And in that unity of purpose and respect, you will find what all great creators seek: not just success, but meaning — not just completion, but communion.