An original artist is unable to copy. So he has only to copy in order to be original. -Jean Cocteau Art
I love cats because I enjoy my home; and little by little, they become its visible soul. -Jean Cocteau Home
I have lost my seven best friends, which is to say God has had mercy on me seven times without realizing it. He lent a friendship, took it from me, sent me another. -Jean Cocteau Friendship
The reward of art is not fame or success but intoxication: that is why so many bad artists are unable to give it up. -Jean Cocteau Art
The instinct of nearly all societies is to lock up anybody who is truly free. First, society begins by trying to beat you up. If this fails, they try to poison you. If this fails too, the finish by loading honors on your head. -Jean Cocteau Society
Since the day of my birth, my death began its walk. It is walking toward me, without hurrying. -Jean Cocteau Death
I love cats because I enjoy my home; and little by little, they become its visible soul. -Jean Cocteau Pet
All good music resembles something. Good music stirs by its mysterious resemblance to the objects and feelings which motivated it. -Jean Cocteau Music
A true poet does not bother to be poetical. Nor does a nursery gardener scent his roses. -Jean Cocteau Poetry
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 Art
You've never seen death? Look in the mirror every day and you will see it like bees working in a glass hive. -Jean Cocteau Death
Everything one does in life, even love, occurs in an express train racing toward death. To smoke opium is to get out of the train while it is still moving. It is to concern oneself with something other than life or death. -Jean Cocteau Death
The reward of art is not fame or success but intoxication: that is why so many bad artists are unable to give it up. -Jean Cocteau Success
