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About this quote

What does it mean?
True wisdom often appears so unusual that society labels it as insanity.
In plain terms
People call wise things crazy because they are so different.
What can you take from it?
Wisdom can look like madness to the crowd.

Where it applies

  • challenging norms
  • feeling misunderstood
  • pursuing truth

Putting it to work

  • validating nonconformity
  • questioning consensus

Questions to consider

  • When have you felt misunderstood for thinking differently?
  • Who defines sanity?

Another view

Not all madness is wisdom.

More from Jean Cocteau

  1. Tact in audacity is knowing how far you can go without going too far.

    Permalink to quote #41
  2. If it has to choose who is to be crucified, the crowd will always save Barabbas .

    Permalink to quote #43
  3. In Paris, everybody wants to be an actor; nobody is content to be a spectator.

    Permalink to quote #40

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