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
There are too many souls of wood not to love those wooden characters who do indeed have a soul.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of recognizing and cherishing those with genuine depth and emotion amidst a superficial world.
Jean Cocteau's quote reflects on the idea that in a world filled with insincere and emotionally detached individuals ('souls of wood'), it becomes all the more essential to appreciate those who possess true emotional depth and authenticity ('wooden characters who do indeed have a soul'). It suggests that love should be directed towards those who are genuine and real, contrasting them with the many who lack such qualities.
Themes
LoveAuthenticityGenuineEmotionDepth
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of deep relationships, one might say, 'As Jean Cocteau noted, there are too many souls of wood not to love those wooden characters who do indeed have a soul.'
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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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.
Jean CocteauRead
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