The poet is a liar who always speaks the truth.

The poet is a liar who always speaks the truth.

Jean Cocteau

My only politics have been friendship.

My only politics have been friendship.

The eyes of the dead are closed gently; we also have to open gently the eyes of the living.

The eyes of the dead are closed gently; we also have to open gently the eyes of the living.

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

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

The speed of a runaway horse counts for nothing.

The speed of a runaway horse counts for nothing.

Since the day of my birth, my death began its walk. It is walking toward me, without hurrying.

Since the day of my birth, my death began its walk. It is walking toward me, without hurrying.

Whatever the world condemns you for, make it your own. It is yourself.

Whatever the world condemns you for, make it your own. It is yourself.

If it has to choose who is to be crucified, the crowd will always save Barabbas.

If it has to choose who is to be crucified, the crowd will always save Barabbas.

Appreciation of art is a moral erection, otherwise mere dilettantism.

Appreciation of art is a moral erection, otherwise mere dilettantism.

Art is not a pastime but a priesthood.

Art is not a pastime but a priesthood.

Lying is the only art form that the public sanctions and instinctively prefers to reality.

Lying is the only art form that the public sanctions and instinctively prefers to reality.

It is excruciating to be an unbeliever with a spirit that is deeply religious.

It is excruciating to be an unbeliever with a spirit that is deeply religious.

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

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

I have seafoam in my veins, I understand the language of waves.

I have seafoam in my veins, I understand the language of waves.

Not only should you not accept a prize. You should not try to deserve one either.

Not only should you not accept a prize. You should not try to deserve one either.

Beauty cannot be recognized with a cursory glance.

Beauty cannot be recognized with a cursory glance.

Tact in audacity is knowing how far you can go without going too far.

Tact in audacity is knowing how far you can go without going too far.

The public only takes up yesterday as a stick to beat today.

The public only takes up yesterday as a stick to beat today.

An artist cannot speak about his art any more than a plant can discuss horticulture.

An artist cannot speak about his art any more than a plant can discuss horticulture.