One must be a living man and a posthumous artist.
Jean CocteauRead
The ear disapproves but tolerates certain musical pieces; transfer them into the domain of our nose, and we will be forced to flee.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Different senses have varying tolerances and reactions to artistic expressions.
Jean Cocteau's quote suggests that while the ear may not always appreciate certain music, it can still tolerate it. However, if the same pieces were to be translated into smells, the reaction would be much more instinctive and possibly negative, indicating how our senses can react differently to artistic expressions depending on their nature and our personal thresholds.
Themes
MusicArtSensesToleranceEmotions
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared during a discussion about the impact of senses in art.
More from Jean Cocteau
All quotes βAll good music resembles something. Good music stirs by its mysterious resemblance to the objects and feelings which motivated it.
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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.
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Watch yourself all your life in a mirror and you'll see Death at work like bees in a glass hive.
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You've never seen death? Look in the mirror every day and you will see it like bees working in a glass hive.
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