If it has to choose who is to be crucified, the crowd will always save Barabbas.
[S’il faut choisir un crucifié, la foule sauve toujours Barabbas.]
Jean Cocteau (1889-1963) French writer, filmmaker, artist
“Le Coq et l’Arlequin” (1918), Le Rappel à l’ordre (1926)
(Source)
Quotations by:
Cocteau, Jean
The course of a river is almost always disapproved of by its source.
Jean Cocteau (1889-1963) French writer, filmmaker, artist
(Attributed)
I feel there is an angel within me whom I am constantly shocking.
Jean Cocteau (1889-1963) French writer, filmmaker, artist
(Attributed)
Art produces ugly things which frequently become beautiful with time. Fashion, on the other hand, produces beautiful things which always become ugly with time.
Jean Cocteau (1889-1963) French writer, filmmaker, artist
New York World-Telegram & Sun (21 Aug. 1960)
We must believe in luck. For how else can we explain the success of those we don’t like?
Jean Cocteau (1889-1963) French writer, filmmaker, artist
Comment (1955)
On his election to Académie Française. Alt. trans.: "Of course I believe in luck. How else does one explain the successes of one's enemies?"
An artist cannot speak about his art any more than a plant can discuss horticulture.
Jean Cocteau (1889-1963) French writer, filmmaker, artist
Quoted in Newsweek (16 May 1955)