“We must believe in luck. For how else can we explain the success of those we don’t like?”

—  Jean Cocteau

On his election to Académie Française (1955) Variant translation: Of course I believe in luck. How else does one explain the successes of one's enemies?

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update June 3, 2021. History

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Jean Cocteau 123
French poet, novelist, dramatist, designer, boxing manager … 1889–1963

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