The poet doesn't invent. He listens.

Quote by Jean Cocteau

Topics: Jean Cocteau Quotes

The poet is a liar who always speaks the truth.

The poet is a liar who always speaks the truth.

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.

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.

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...

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

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

I am a lie who always speaks the truth.

I am a lie who always speaks the truth.

Children and lunatics cut the Gordian knot which the poet spends his life patiently trying...

Children and lunatics cut the Gordian knot which the poet spends his life patiently trying...

Film will only became an art when its materials are as inexpensive as pencil and...

Film will only became an art when its materials are as inexpensive as pencil and...

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

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

You've never seen death? Look in the mirror every day and you will see it...

You've never seen death? Look in the mirror every day and you will see it...

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

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

We must believe in luck. For how else can we explain the success of those...

We must believe in luck. For how else can we explain the success of those...

Take a commonplace, clean it and polish it, light it so that it produces the...

Take a commonplace, clean it and polish it, light it so that it produces the...

Commissions suit me. They set limits. Jean Marais dared me to write play in which...

Commissions suit me. They set limits. Jean Marais dared me to write play in which...

Art is a marriage of the conscious and the unconscious.

Art is a marriage of the conscious and the unconscious.

Art is not a pastime but a priesthood.

Art is not a pastime but a priesthood.

The reward of art is not fame or success but intoxication: that is why so...

The reward of art is not fame or success but intoxication: that is why so...

Poets don't draw. They unravel their handwriting and then tie it up again, but differently.

Poets don't draw. They unravel their handwriting and then tie it up again, but differently.

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.

In Paris, everybody wants to be an actor; nobody is content to be a spectator.

In Paris, everybody wants to be an actor; nobody is content to be a spectator.