A picture is not a window...an abstract refers to no reality but its own. Jean Cocteau More Quotes by Jean Cocteau More Quotes From Jean Cocteau Beauty cannot be recognized with a cursory glance. Jean Cocteau glances What is line? It is life. A line must live at each point along its course in such a way that the artist's presence makes itself felt above that of the model... With the writer, line takes precedence over form and content. It runs through the words he assembles. It strikes a continuous note unperceived by ear or eye. It is, in a way, the soul's style, and if the line ceases to have a life of its own, if it only describes an arabesque, the soul is missing and the writing dies. Jean Cocteau eye writing running May the devil himself splatter you with dung. Jean Cocteau devil may French people are Italian people in a bad mood. Jean Cocteau italian europe country Every day in the mirror I watch death at work. Jean Cocteau mirrors work death 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 Cocteau editors theatre criticism Art produces ugly things which frequently become more beautiful with time. Fashion, on the other hand, produces beautiful things which always become ugly with time. Jean Cocteau fashion beautiful inspirational You have comfort. You don't have luxury. And don't tell me that money plays a part. The luxury I advocate has nothing to do with money. It cannot be bought. It is the reward of those who have NO Fear or Discomfort. Jean Cocteau luxury comfort play A true photographer is as rare as a true poet or a true painter. Jean Cocteau painter poet photographer The job of the poet (a job which can't be learned) consists of placing those objects of the visible world which have become invisible due to the glue of habit, in an unusual position which strikes the soul and gives them a tragic force. Jean Cocteau jobs giving art Do as the beautiful woman: see to your figure and your petticoats. Though, of course, I am not speaking literally. Jean Cocteau beautiful-women figures beautiful The poet is a liar who always speaks the truth. Jean Cocteau poetry liars lying There's no such thing as love; only proof of love. Jean Cocteau proof-of-love proof The joy of the young is to disobey Jean Cocteau youth young joy The extreme limit of wisdom, that's what the public calls madness. Jean Cocteau limits wisdom mind 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. Jean Cocteau cutting regret dream Whatever the world condemns you for, make it your own. It is yourself. Jean Cocteau world Since these mysteries exceed my grasp, I shall pretend to have organized them. Jean Cocteau assessment mystery organized When a work appears to be ahead of its time, it is only the time that is behind the work. Jean Cocteau funny-basketball originality time A film is a petrified fountain of thought. Jean Cocteau gambling film art