A collection of thoughts and quotations by Jean Cocteau on home, humor, death, addiction, art, poetry, opium, dreams, spirituality, writing, drugs and painting.
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.
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.
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.
A true poet does not bother to be poetical. Nor does a nursery gardener scent his roses.
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.
Jean Cocteau
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.
Jean Cocteau
Victor Hugo was a madman who thought he was Victor Hugo
Jean Cocteau
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.
Without opium, plans, marriages and journeys appear to me just as foolish as if someone falling out of a window were to hope to make friends with the occupants of the room before which he passes.
True realism consists in revealing the surprising things which habit keeps covered and prevents us from seeing.
Jean Cocteau
A man's truest self realizations might require him, above all, to learn to close his eyes: to let himself be taken unawares, to follow his dark angel, to risk his illegal instincts.
Jean Cocteau
I succeeded in bewitching a fair number and in being intoxicated with my mistakes.
The purity of a revolution can last a fortnight. That is why a poet, the revolutionary of the soul, limits himself to the about-turns of the mind.
Jean Cocteau
Youth can only assert itself through the conviction that its ventures surpass all others and resemble nothing.
Jean Cocteau
It is dangerous not to conform with people's image of us, because they do not readily retract their opinions.
Jean Cocteau
The map of our life is folded in such a way that we cannot see one main road across it, but as it is opened out, we are constantly seeing new side roads. We think we are choosing, and we have no choice.
I grant you that, if you'll admit, as I do, that we are pawns of an unknown force that lives within us that dictates our actions and compels us to speak this language.
Gute Erziehung besteht darin, dass man verbirgt, wieviel man von sich selber hlt und wie wenig von den anderen.
Jean Cocteau
The poet is a liar who always speaks the truth.
Jean Cocteau
What is style? Saying complicated things in a simple way.
Jean Cocteau
Classifiable things reek of death. You must strike out in other spheres . . . quit the ranks. That's the sign of masterpieces and heroes. An original, that's the person to astonish and to rule.
