Quote by Jean Cocteau

The poet doesn't invent. He listens.

The poet doesn't invent. He listens.

Summary

This quote suggests that the essence of being a poet lies in the act of listening rather than inventing. It implies that poets do not create ideas or concepts from scratch but rather perceive and absorb the world around them. By attentively listening to the wonders and sorrows of life, poets are able to capture and convey the subtle truths and emotions that already exist in the universe, putting pen to paper to express what is already present and waiting to be heard.

Topics

Poetry

By Jean Cocteau

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