A film is a petrified fountain of thought. Jean Cocteau on movies
All good music resembles something. Good music stirs by its mysterious resemblance to the objects and feelings which motivated it. Jean Cocteau on music
I love cats because I enjoy my home and little by little, they become its visible soul. Jean Cocteau on pet
The poet doesn't invent. He listens. Jean Cocteau on poetry
A true poet does not bother to be poetical. Nor does a nursery gardener scent his roses. Jean Cocteau on poetry
Children and lunatics cut the Gordian knot which the poet spends his life patiently trying to untie. Jean Cocteau on poetry
The poet is a liar who always speaks the truth. Jean Cocteau on poetry
Poetry is indispensable - if I only knew what for. Jean Cocteau on poetry
I have a piece of great and sad news to tell you: I am dead. Jean Cocteau on sad
The instinct of nearly all societies is to lock up anybody who is truly free. First, society begins by trying to beat you up. If this fails, they try to poison you. If this fails too, the finish by loading honors on your head. Jean Cocteau on society
We must believe in luck. For how else can we explain the success of those we don't like? Jean Cocteau on success
I believe in luck: how else can you explain the success of those you dislike? Jean Cocteau on success
The reward of art is not fame or success but intoxication: that is why so many bad artists are unable to give it up. Jean Cocteau on success
I am a lie who always speaks the truth. Jean Cocteau on truth
The poet is a liar who always speaks the truth. Jean Cocteau on truth
The extreme limit of wisdom, that's what the public calls madness. Jean Cocteau on wisdom
Emotion resulting from a work of art is only of value when it is not obtained by sentimental blackmail. Jean Cocteau on work
The actual tragedies of life bear no relation to one's preconceived ideas. In the event, one is always bewildered by their simplicity, their grandeur of design, and by that element of the bizzare which seems inherent in them. Jean Cocteau on adversity
We must believe in luck for how else can we explain the success of those we don't like? Jean Cocteau on success