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83 Notable Jean Cocteau Quotes We Can Learn From

Famous As: French Author and Artist Who Was One of the Foremost Creatives of the 'Surrealist', 'Avant-Garde', and 'Dadaist' Movements.
Born On: July 5, 1889
Died On: October 11, 1963
Born In: Maisons-Laffitte, France
Died At Age: 74
Jean Maurice Eugene Clement Cocteau, renowned as Jean Cocteau, was a French playwright, author, film maker, designer and artist who rose to prominence in the 20th century and is regarded as one of the finest minds of the era. Cocteau was a prodigious talent and his first work, a collection of poems titled ‘Aladdin’s Lamp’ was published when he was only 19 years. However, his skills went beyond literature and he became a noted film maker and screen writer of his time. Some of the most famous films that he made include ‘Beauty and the Beast’, ‘Les Parents Terribles’, ‘Blood of a Poet’ and ‘Orpheus’ among others. Among the novels that he wrote, ‘Les Enfants Terribles’ was the most famous one and remains a popular book to this day. Cocteau was a multi-faceted individual who seemed to shine in almost any creative field in which he tried his hand on. He also made a mark as a poetry illustrator. We bring to you his finest sayings, thoughts and quotations which have been extracted from his novels, poems, books, films and writings. Here is a collection of these thoughts and quotes from Jean Cocteau that would give you a glimpse into his unique mind.
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Living is a horizontal fall.

Living is a horizontal fall.

Jean Cocteau
I love cats because I enjoy my home; and little by little, they become its visible soul.

I love cats because I enjoy my home; and little by little, they become its visible soul.

Jean Cocteau
Mirrors should think longer before they reflect.

Mirrors should think longer before they reflect.

Jean Cocteau
Here I am trying to live, or rather, I am trying to teach the death within me how to live.

Here I am trying to live, or rather, I am trying to teach the death within me how to live.

Jean Cocteau
What the public criticizes in you, cultivate. It is you.

What the public criticizes in you, cultivate. It is you.

Jean Cocteau
The prettiest dresses are worn to be taken off.

The prettiest dresses are worn to be taken off.

Jean Cocteau
Be yourself. The world worships the original.

Be yourself. The world worships the original.

Jean Cocteau
Art is science made clear.

Art is science made clear.

Jean Cocteau
If a poet has a dream, it is not of becoming famous, but of being believed.

If a poet has a dream, it is not of becoming famous, but of being believed.

Jean Cocteau
We must believe in luck. For how else can we explain the success of those we don't like?

We must believe in luck. For how else can we explain the success of those we don't like?

Jean Cocteau
The day of my birth, my death began its walk. It is walking toward me, without hurrying.

The day of my birth, my death began its walk. It is walking toward me, without hurrying.

Jean Cocteau
There's no such thing as love; only proof of love.

There's no such thing as love; only proof of love.

Jean Cocteau
The poet doesn't invent. He listens.

The poet doesn't invent. He listens.

Jean Cocteau
I am a lie that always speaks the truth.

I am a lie that always speaks the truth.

Jean Cocteau
An artist cannot speak about his art anymore than a plant can discuss horticulture.

An artist cannot speak about his art anymore than a plant can discuss horticulture.

Jean Cocteau
I am burning myself up and will always do so.

I am burning myself up and will always do so.

Jean Cocteau
Listen carefully to first criticisms made of your work. Note just what it is about your work that critics don't like - then cultivate it. That's the only part of your work that's individual and worth keeping.

Listen carefully to first criticisms made of your work. Note just what it is about your work that critics don't like - then cultivate it. That's the only part of your work that's individual and worth keeping.

Jean Cocteau
All spiritual journeys are martyrdoms

All spiritual journeys are martyrdoms

Jean Cocteau
I'm not willing just to be tolerated. That wounds my love of love and of liberty.

I'm not willing just to be tolerated. That wounds my love of love and of liberty.

Jean Cocteau
Art is a marriage of the conscious and the unconscious.

Art is a marriage of the conscious and the unconscious.

Jean Cocteau
It is excruciating to be an unbeliever with a spirit that is deeply religious.

It is excruciating to be an unbeliever with a spirit that is deeply religious.

Jean Cocteau
The greatest masterpiece in literature is only a dictionary out of order.

The greatest masterpiece in literature is only a dictionary out of order.

Jean Cocteau
A true poet does not bother to be poetical. Nor does a nursery gardener scent his roses.

A true poet does not bother to be poetical. Nor does a nursery gardener scent his roses.

Jean Cocteau
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.

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.

Jean Cocteau
One of the characteristics of the dream is that nothing surprises us in it. With no regret, we agree to live in it with strangers, completely cut off from our habits and friends.

One of the characteristics of the dream is that nothing surprises us in it. With no regret, we agree to live in it with strangers, completely cut off from our habits and friends.

Jean Cocteau
I've always preferred mythology to history. History is truth that becomes an illusion. Mythology is an illusion that becomes reality.

I've always preferred mythology to history. History is truth that becomes an illusion. Mythology is an illusion that becomes reality.

Jean Cocteau
The smell of opium is the least stupid smell in the world.

The smell of opium is the least stupid smell in the world.

Jean Cocteau
Victor Hugo was a madman who thought he was Victor Hugo

Victor Hugo was a madman who thought he was Victor Hugo

Jean Cocteau
Lack of manners is the sign of a hero.

Lack of manners is the sign of a hero.

Jean Cocteau
When I write, I disturb. When I show a film, I disturb. When I exhibit my painting, I disturb, and I disturb if I don't. I have a knack for disturbing.

When I write, I disturb. When I show a film, I disturb. When I exhibit my painting, I disturb, and I disturb if I don't. I have a knack for disturbing.

Jean Cocteau