The ear disapproves but tolerates certain musical pieces; transfer them into the domain of our nose, and we will be forced to flee.
Jean CocteauRead
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Criticism can reveal unique aspects of your work that are worth preserving and developing.
Jean Cocteau's quote emphasizes the importance of listening to criticism as a means of honing one's unique voice in creative work. By paying attention to what critics dislike, an artist can identify distinctive elements that are individual to their work, which can then be cultivated and refined, ultimately leading to a more authentic expression of their creativity.
Themes
CriticismCreativityIndividualityArtistic GrowthSelf-Improvement
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be shared in a creative workshop to encourage artists to embrace feedback.
More from Jean Cocteau
All quotes βOne must be a living man and a posthumous artist.
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All good music resembles something. Good music stirs by its mysterious resemblance to the objects and feelings which motivated it.
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Nothing ever gets anywhere. The earth keeps turning round and gets nowhere. The moment is the only thing that counts.
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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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