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
One of the characteristics of the dream is that nothing surprises us in it. With no regret, we agree to live in it with strangers, completely cut off from our habits and friends.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Dreams allow us to experience unfamiliarity without surprise or regret.
In this quote, Jean Cocteau reflects on the nature of dreams, highlighting that within our dream states, we are often unbothered by the presence of strangers and the absence of familiar comforts. We surrender ourselves to the dream experience, which offers a unique escape from reality, free from regret or recognition of our usual surroundings and relationships.
Themes
DreamsRealitySurpriseRegretStrangers
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on the psychology of dreams, this quote can illustrate how we mentally construct experiences.
More from Jean Cocteau
All quotes →One 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.
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