“Beauty is always the result of an accident. Of a violent lapse between acquired habits and those yet to be acquired.”

— Jean Cocteau

Diary of an Unknown (1988), On Invisibility
Context: Beauty is always the result of an accident. Of a violent lapse between acquired habits and those yet to be acquired. It baffles and disgusts. It may even horrify. Once the new habit has been acquired, the accident ceases to be an accident. It becomes classical and loses its shock value.

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Jean Cocteau 123

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

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