Poetry is a religion without hope. The poet exhausts himself in its service, knowing that, in the long run, a masterpiece is nothing but the performance of a trained dog on very shaky ground.
JEAN COCTEAUMy method is simple: not to bother about poetry. It must come of its own accord. Merely whispering its name drives it away.
More Jean Cocteau Quotes
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Art is science in the flesh.
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Tact in audacity is knowing how far you can go without going too far.
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We are in a period of such individualism that one no longer speaks of disciples; one speaks of thieves.
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The extreme limit of wisdom, that’s what the public calls madness.
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Children and lunatics cut the Gordian knot which the poet spends his life patiently trying to untie.
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After the writer’s death, reading his journal is like receiving a long letter.
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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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When a work appears to be ahead of its time, it is only the time that is behind the work.
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An artist cannot speak about his art any more than a plant can discuss horticulture.
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If it has to choose who is to be crucified, the crowd will always save Barabbas.
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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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Never do what a specialist can do better. Discover your own specialty. Do not despair if your specialty appears to be more delicate, a lesser thing. Make up in finesse what you lose in force.
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Style is a simple way of saying complicated things.
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Do as the beautiful woman: see to your figure and your petticoats. Though, of course, I am not speaking literally.
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Since the day of my birth, my death began its walk. It is walking toward me, without hurrying.
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