Genius Cocteau

True realism consists in revealing the surprising things which habit keeps covered and prevents us from seeing.
-Jean Cocteau

After the writer's death, reading his journal is like receiving a long letter.
-Jean Cocteau

Mystery has its own mysteries, and there are gods above gods. We have ours, they have theirs. That is what's known as infinity.
-Jean Cocteau

Poetry is indispensable - if I only knew what for.
-Jean Cocteau

Art is not a pastime but a priesthood.
-Jean Cocteau

The poet doesn't invent. He listens.
-Jean Cocteau

The poet is a liar who always speaks the truth.
-Jean Cocteau

A true poet does not bother to be poetical. Nor does a nursery gardener scent his roses.
-Jean Cocteau

Man seeks to escape himself in myth, and does so by any means at his disposal. Drugs, alcohol, or lies. Unable to withdraw into himself, he disguises himself. Lies and inaccuracy give him a few moments of comfort.
-Jean Cocteau

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

Here I am trying to live, or rather, I am trying to teach the death within me how to live.
-Jean Cocteau

The extreme limit of wisdom, that's what the public calls madness.
-Jean Cocteau