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
Poetry is indispensable - if I only knew what for.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Poetry is essential, but its exact purpose may be unclear.
Jean Cocteau's quote reflects the paradoxical nature of poetry, suggesting that while poetry plays a crucial role in human expression and understanding, its specific utility or purpose often eludes us. This highlights the intrinsic value of art, which may not always be easily defined but is nonetheless vital to our experience of life.
Themes
PoetryArtExpressionPurposeIndispensable
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be shared during a poetry reading to emphasize the enigmatic role of poetry.
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
One of the beauties of art is that it reflects an artist's entire life. What I've learned over the past 30 years is really beginning to inform what I make. I hope that process continues until I die.
Andy GoldsworthyRead
Don't be a writer; it's a terrible way to live your life. There's nothing to be gained from it but poverty and obscurity and solitude. So if you have a taste for all those things, which means that you really are burning to do it, then go ahead and do it. But don't expect anything from anybody.
Paul AusterRead
In art, as in science, reductionism does not trivialize our perception - of color, light, and perspective - but allows us to see each of these components in a new way.
Eric KandelRead
Whenever you are creating beauty around you, you are restoring your own soul.
Alice WalkerRead
Maybe I am not very human - what I wanted to do was to paint sunlight on the side of a house.
Edward HopperRead
Having books published is very destructive to writing. It is even worse than making love too much. Because when you make love too much at least you get a damned clarte that is like no other light. A very clear and hollow light.
Ernest HemingwayRead