An artist cannot speak about his art any more than a plant can discuss horticulture.
JEAN COCTEAUThe speed of a runaway horse counts for nothing.
More Jean Cocteau Quotes
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I know that poetry is indispensable, but to what I could not say.
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The only way to kill death is through photography.
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The eyes of the dead are closed gently; we also have to open gently the eyes of the living.
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Art is science in the flesh.
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I have lost my seven best friends, which is to say God has had mercy on me seven times without realizing it. He lent a friendship, took it from me, sent me another.
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Style is a simple way of saying complicated things.
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We shelter an angel within us. We must be the guardians of that angel.
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Elegance ceases to exist when it is noticed.
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The reward of art is not fame or success but intoxication: that is why so many bad artists are unable to give it up.
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Man seeks to escape himself in myth, and does so by any means at his disposal. Drugs, alcohol, or lies. Unable to withdraw into himself, he disguises himself. Lies and inaccuracy give him a few moments of comfort.
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I feel myself inhabited by a force or being — very little known to me. It gives the orders; I follow.
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After you have written a thing and you reread it, there is always the temptation to fix it up, to improve it, to remove its poison, blunt its sting.
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One must not mistake majority for truth.
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Cultivate everything the critics hated in your first work – that’s what makes you unique.
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It is excruciating to be an unbeliever with a spirit that is deeply religious.
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If it has to choose who is to be crucified, the crowd will always save Barabbas.
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After the writer’s death, reading his journal is like receiving a long letter.
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The prettiest dresses are worn to be taken off.
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Mirrors should think longer before they reflect.
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May the devil himself splatter you with dung.
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All good music resembles something. Good music stirs by its mysterious resemblance to the objects and feelings which motivated it.
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The joy of the young is to disobey.
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Mirrors should reflect a little before throwing back images.
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Film will only became an art when its materials are as inexpensive as pencil and paper.
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Continue reading Proust. His magnificent intelligence is particularly fond of describing stupidity. Which is ultimately exhausting.
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Art produces ugly things which frequently become more beautiful with time. Fashion, on the other hand, produces beautiful things which always become ugly with time.
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