The worst tragedy for a poet is to be admired through being misunderstood.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Being admired for the wrong reasons is more harmful to a poet than being ignored.
- In plain terms
- It is worse for a poet to be praised when people do not truly understand their work.
- What can you take from it?
- True understanding matters more than empty praise.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is being understood more important than being popular?
- Can admiration ever be based on error?
Another view
Sometimes misunderstanding can lead to broader appeal than strict accuracy.
More from Jean Cocteau
All good music resembles something. Good music stirs by its mysterious resemblance to the objects and feelings which motivated it.
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