Art is not a pastime but a priesthood.

Quote by Jean Cocteau

Topics: Jean Cocteau Quotes

After the writer's death, reading his journal is like receiving a long letter.

After the writer's death, reading his journal is like receiving a long letter.

There is always a period when a man with a beard shaves it off. This...

There is always a period when a man with a beard shaves it off. This...

Man seeks to escape himself in myth, and does so by any means at his...

Man seeks to escape himself in myth, and does so by any means at his...

If it has to choose who is to be crucified, the crowd will always save...

If it has to choose who is to be crucified, the crowd will always save...

When a work appears to be ahead of its time, it is only the time...

When a work appears to be ahead of its time, it is only the time...

The day of my birth, my death began its walk. It is walking toward me,...

The day of my birth, my death began its walk. It is walking toward me,...

Everything one does in life, even love, occurs in an express train racing toward death....

Everything one does in life, even love, occurs in an express train racing toward death....

Asking an artist to talk about his work is like asking a plant to discuss...

Asking an artist to talk about his work is like asking a plant to discuss...

Emotion resulting from a work of art is only of value when it is not...

Emotion resulting from a work of art is only of value when it is not...

I believe in luck: how else can you explain the success of those you don't...

I believe in luck: how else can you explain the success of those you don't...

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

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

I believe in luck: how else can you explain the success of those you don't...

I believe in luck: how else can you explain the success of those you don't...

After the writer's death, reading his journal is like receiving a long letter.

After the writer's death, reading his journal is like receiving a long letter.

The poet doesn't invent. He listens.

The poet doesn't invent. He listens.

The poet never asks for admiration; he wants to be believed.

The poet never asks for admiration; he wants to be believed.

I believe in luck: how else can you explain the success of those you dislike?

I believe in luck: how else can you explain the success of those you dislike?

Tact in audacity is knowing how far you can go without going too far.

Tact in audacity is knowing how far you can go without going too far.

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

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

A film is a petrified fountain of thought.

A film is a petrified fountain of thought.

An original artist is unable to copy. So he has only to copy in order...

An original artist is unable to copy. So he has only to copy in order...