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About this quote

What does it mean?
This contrasts art and fashion. Art may start unappealing but gains value over time, while fashion starts beautiful but deteriorates in value quickly.
In plain terms
Art gets better with age while fashion gets worse.
What can you take from it?
Value endurance over initial appeal when choosing creative paths.

Where it applies

  • critiquing design trends
  • planning creative work
  • evaluating investment

Putting it to work

  • focusing on timeless design
  • avoiding fleeting trends
  • valuing deep work

Questions to consider

  • Do you prefer immediate gratification or long term rewards?
  • How do you decide what is worth keeping?

Another view

Some art remains unappealing and some fashion retains cultural value.

More from Jean Cocteau

  1. Poetry is indispensable - if I only knew what for.

    Permalink to quote #20
  2. A film is a petrified fountain of thought.

    Permalink to quote #22
  3. The poet never asks for admiration; he wants to be believed.

    Permalink to quote #19

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