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
Be a mere assistant to your unconscious. Do only half the work. The rest will do itself.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Trust your instincts and let your subconscious mind guide your actions.
This quote by Jean Cocteau emphasizes the importance of allowing your subconscious mind to take over part of the creative process. By being a mere assistant to your unconscious, you can tap into deeper thoughts and feelings, enabling a more authentic and effortless expression of ideas and creativity.
Themes
UnconsciousCreativityInstinctsEffortTrust
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about embracing creativity, one might say, 'Remember, as Jean Cocteau said, be a mere assistant to your unconscious.'
More from Jean Cocteau
All quotes βOne must be a living man and a posthumous artist.
Jean CocteauRead
All good music resembles something. Good music stirs by its mysterious resemblance to the objects and feelings which motivated it.
Jean CocteauRead
Nothing ever gets anywhere. The earth keeps turning round and gets nowhere. The moment is the only thing that counts.
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.
Jean CocteauRead
Watch yourself all your life in a mirror and you'll see Death at work like bees in a glass hive.
Jean CocteauRead
Similar quotes
Use your youth so that you may have comfort to remember it when it has forsaken you, and not sigh and grieve at the account thereof.
Walter RaleighRead
You are good when you are fully awake in your speech, Yet you are not evil when you sleep while your tongue staggers without purpose. And even stumbling speech may strengthen a weak tongue.
Khalil GibranRead
It helps to write down half a dozen things which are worrying me. Two of them, say, disappear; about two of them nothing can be done, so it's no use worrying; and two perhaps can be settled.
Winston ChurchillRead
Life is finite, While knowledge is infinite.
ZhuangziRead
Liberate the minds of men and ultimately you will liberate the bodies of men.
Marcus GarveyRead
The sage is not ill, because he sees illness as illness.
LaoziRead