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
Statues to great men are made of the stones thrown at them in their lifetime.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The obstacles faced by great individuals often contribute to their legacy.
This quote by Jean Cocteau suggests that the challenges and criticisms that great leaders and thinkers encounter throughout their lives can ultimately serve as the foundation for their enduring legacies. The stones thrown at them symbolize the difficulties and negative judgments they face, which, when transformed, can become the very materials of their eventual success and recognition as 'great men'.
Themes
SuccessLegacyChallengesPerseveranceGreatness
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about resilience, one could use this quote to illustrate how struggles lead to success.
More from Jean Cocteau
All quotes βOne must be a living man and a posthumous artist.
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All good music resembles something. Good music stirs by its mysterious resemblance to the objects and feelings which motivated it.
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Nothing ever gets anywhere. The earth keeps turning round and gets nowhere. The moment is the only thing that counts.
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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
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