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
The joy of youth is to disobey; but the trouble is that there are no longer any orders.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Youth often finds joy in rebellion, but without clear guidance, this disobedience can lead to confusion.
Jean Cocteau's quote highlights the paradox of youth: while young people relish in the idea of defying authority and breaking rules, the absence of established norms or orders leaves them directionless. This evokes a sense of both freedom and chaos, as the youthful spirit seeks to express itself but finds itself adrift in a world lacking structure.
Themes
YouthDisobedienceFreedomGuidanceChaos
In practice
Example use cases
Using this quote during a youth empowerment seminar to highlight the importance of guidance.
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
Every part of you that you do not love will regress and become hostile towards you.
Robert BlyRead
The demon of intemperance ever seems to have delighted in sucking the blood of genius and of generosity.
Abraham LincolnRead
Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.
EpicurusRead
Pointless thinking is worse than no thinking at all.
Haruki MurakamiRead
No one ever found wisdom without also being a fool. Writers, alas, have to be fools in public, while the rest of the human race can cover its tracks.
Erica JongRead
There is a certain kind of maturity that can be attained only through the discipline of suffering.
D. A. CarsonRead