A true poet does not bother to be poetical. Nor does a nursery gardener scent his roses. An artist cannot speak about his art any more than a plant can discuss horticulture.
The extreme limit of wisdom, that’s what the public calls madness. The instinct of nearly all societies is to lock up anybody who is truly free. First, society begins by trying to beat you up. If this fails, they try to poison you. If this fails too, they finish by loading honors on your head.
The poet never asks for admiration; he wants to be believed.
Art produces ugly things which frequently become more beautiful with time. Fashion, on the other hand, produces beautiful things which always become ugly with time. Take a commonplace, clean it and polish it, light it so that it produces the same effect of youth and freshness and originality and spontaneity as it did originally, and you have done a poet’s job. The rest is literature.
When a work appears to be ahead of its time, it is only the time that is behind the work.
The actual tragedies of life bear no relation to one’s preconceived ideas. In the event, one is always bewildered by their simplicity, their grandeur of design, and by that element of the bizarre which seems inherent in them. Man seeks to escape himself in myth, and does so by any means at his disposal. Drugs, alcohol, or lies. Unable to withdraw into himself, he disguises himself. Lies and inaccuracy give him a few moments of comfort.
I am a lie who always speaks the truth.
by Jean Cocteau
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Dear Paulo,
Nice post…
Interesting read !
“I have a piece of great and sad news to tell you: I am dead.” – Jean Cocteau
“I Am Dead Man Alive” – Santosh Kalwar
God bless you all !
I believe whatever,, you say.. becuase thats always,, very simple.
If the beauty will never die than we will have monotony .
i m totally in agreement with ur thoughts on the simplicity of life . and i think it as the sole reason of the creations of master pieces in the past . every person whether a writer like shakespear a musician like tansen a painter like piccasa nd many many more ..
ALL of them had just one pure sreine thing to do in life .the thing in which they became famous afterwards .. they had no other intensions with life their life was just simple .. they lived like humans slept lie childrens eat like birds and just they were TRUE people which gets reflected in their maserpieces.. thus to be true to ur works one needs to be true to himself and his life ..
Sr coelho tal vez coincidencia? pues antes de entrar a facebook y descubrir este mensaje de costeau estuve leyendo acerca del priorato de sion de quien costeau figura en una lista encontrada en una biblioteca de paris como el ultimo gran maestre designado en dicha lista. Tema que desde hace anos ha creado fascinacion en mi acerca de los antiguos y secretos conocimientos…en este momento estoy leyendo el apostol nro trece que me ha llevado a investigar nuevamente acerca de la historia, tal vez nunca contada? gracias por su aporte y por ensenarnos a todos la posibilidad de encontrar la luz de convertirnos en guerreros de la luz. sigo sus libros y pensamientos que son especialmente inspiradores para todos aquellos que buscamos la verdad.
Great poetic analysis, very true.
Simple, yet beautiful and true. Thank you for your great works and insights and mostly for sharing them to us. You have been a very inspiring author to millions of readers worldwide! Godbless you and your wonderful gift!
It is very sad but truePeople also change not always to good sideUnfortunately.That what i experience witn my husband after we got married.
Mr. Coelho you are truly a wizard of thoughts . you chase your thoughts through uncharted waters like wind whipping up waves which turn the turbines of peoples minds !! thankyou for enriching our thoughts !
If everyone has a purpose and a mission on earth is this mission their contribution, their art?
Is an artist a participant in God´s continuous creation? Can art be something simple like offering a generous smile to someone you know?
Is a man who is out of touch with God’s continuous creation, obsessed with the creature and lies of a different apple tree? An essence that insists not so much in participating in God’s creation but in feeling just like God? Not participating but escaping. Not engaging but withdrawing?
Is this why so many people take drugs? Because they have betrayed their mission? Or is it the pace of living, all of that pressure to conform to the ever increasing demands of a world never satisfied? Or is it just fear?
True to the core sir.
I agree with each ad every point of yours.
But I am not able to figure out the thing that why fashion dies??
It’s 4 am.
I can not sleep.
Read Coelho. This time about lies and the truth.
Words are in many way a carrier of energy. Life force.
Coelho, you are both the creator of your and wisdom and a carrier of others.
That’s the power to help.
Me.
Thanks.
Does anyone read this in 20sec? I always find those numbers confusing. I might, rushing over the text without enjoying it, but where is the pleasure then? Oh please Paulo, don’t state those numbers anymore, I don’t think you need to incentivize people with that!
I think I need. But thanks anyway
20 sec, 1 minute… Does it matter? Did you come here and read it? Did you pay attention? It does matter.
Mr. Coelho, I love reading your blog and FB posts. Please never stop…you have inspired me to have courage and not settle for the status quo. I live in a place where status, image, and “the lie” are everything. Thank you for helping me to grow…I am gradually becoming adjusted to the Light. I read your work everyday! And, I continue to try and have courage on The Path. I will pray for you…never stop!!!
It is still a wonder to me how some collection of words can give the effect of a long lasting mellowness. Your words have always been a mystery to me. And now you have the best among your knowledge to offer to us. Thanks a lot for everything.
DEAR Paulo Coelho, your blogs are a treasure house, and your books are like cruise ships in a vast ocean,and some of us are lucky to be on this voyage in the same time frame,Keep up the good work and be the balm for troubled minds.
but this lie and truth bit – a bit too tough on me
an ardent fan from India
The most beautiful poetry is often the simplest.Poetry can describe things that seem so simple yet are filled with great depth and beauty. The mystics teach us to value life the simplest and most profound of gifts. To live life fully, this moment that when seen for what it truly is becomes an eternity. Like the stories that you write Paulo, life is in fact very simple but at the same time filled with such wonder and profound meaning. Your books teach people to see life and value it.
I think this to be true. Especially because if you, the artist are passionate about what you are doing and it all represents THE TRUTH that you see in your work – for others it might not find that understanding because they have their own truths for certain things. If you find like minded people who happen to be on your same wave length and can understand your work a little bit – they definitely will be able to also BELIEVE in YOUR truth and passion.
I do share your passion Paulo. It is very beautiful to read your books and take your messages close to heart and see that it is also my own truth.
Keep up the wonderful work you are doing Paulo! Not only are you an exceptional writer, an artist with a fountain pen, but you are a very special person to me and to so many other people out there too! God bless you and all you do! Warrior of Light – passing your light to the next and paying it forward on what you have done for me! xoxoxo <3
very insightful!
Beautiful, bizarre, yet utterly true. How surreal.
A lot of the time when one looks up to someone whether a celebrity/artist/writer/figure and one gets to know them a bit better by meeting them or reading their blog or watching interviews, sometimes one can be disappointed when they find out that they’re not as nice as they thought they would be.. but with Paulo Coelho it’s the complete opposite.. your blog and twitter have made me love you even more and admire you more. Not only are you extremely talented but you’re a wonderful person who has done amazing things. You give the world hope for a better generation. Don’t ever stop your amazing work!
thank you!
Yo quiero ser un poeta sin pensar en serlo y dejar que pase el tiempo y aquello que he escrito me parezca más bello.
Un beso Paulo
tengo un magnifico poema tuyo del caballero y su reino
:-)))
Me too, I am a lie who always speaks the truth.
In agreement I say, ‘I am a lie who always speaks the truth.’
“The poet never asks for admiration; he wants to be believed”… isso é tão profundo e verdadeiro!
Que lindo excerto! Agradeço imensamente!
Pensando aqui com os meus botões que estou louca para ler o Aleph ;)
Abraço, beijo <3
Could you write the SPANISH version /translation??
THANKS =)
(now I’ve written it without spelling mistakes :)- well I hope so )
“The actual tragedies of life bear no relation to one’s preconceived ideas. In the event, one is always bewildered by their simplicity, their grandeur of design, and by that element of the bizarre which seems inherent in them.”
Did not understand this part…I think I will when the right time comes.
Anyway,thanks for sharing :D
I am a great fan of Jean Cocteau. I didn’t waste time in translating these notes in Hindi on my blog. Thanx for posting them here, Paolo. You always bring pearls from the ocean.
“Man seeks to escape himself in myth, and does so by any means at his disposal.” ~ Paulo.
“Most people live in a myth and grow violently angry with anyone who dares to tell them the truth about themselves.” ~ Robert Anton Wilson.
“Most people, most of the time, are full of shit.” ~ The Barking Unicorn.
The truth is more important than the story, but each story must be at least a touch of truth. The real story is nothing but the truth.
.
Art produces ugly things which frequently become more beautiful with time
Like the fairy tale the ugly duckling :-)Blessings Tania
Just found your great blog. Really amazing!
Like many things one is not appreciated in their own village/town/country & have to travel to be seen as something wonderful and different in an place very different from home.
Hmm, I agree. But only 50/50.
When one returns to his home, he then maybe seen too as wonderful and different.
Lets the good things happen!
similar to posthumous fame, the fate of many great artists.
Imagination and you are then created.
I face the “devil” fear always when I paint, and then suddenly it just disappears into thin air. I think its easier to face the fear by creating. And in that spirit there is no boundaries or directions!!!
love Sari
Точка КИПЕНИЯ-это форма,не вмещающая содержания.(разнообразие видов)
Is true, only I think the part about the artist that cant speak about his art. Maybe is true for some but other are able to talk about their work. Depends.
The rest quite true, and there are many examples, of works ahead of their time. And about society who want to restrict freedom. But an intelligent person will always find a way to be free.
..et un des plus gros mensonges est celui sur la maladie mentale.
It is not the fault of society alone. Courage is what it takes. Every person, at some point, must be facing that stage in life where he/she feels that the point is reached to break from routine and start a new life – the life of choice. But we postpone our decisions, leave it to some later stage in time, silently hoping and telling ourselves that we will make it some day to our dreams. If only we are able to have the courage to clear the confusions that linger in our minds, life will have so much more meaning.
very true..human being is afraid of their own dreams..but its time to break ..congrats to paulo for waking the peoples dreams
adoro il tuo tempismo…….adoro quello che scrivi…adoro quello che citi………….buona giornata
Many hands at work.
He is multi-tasked.
Thank you so much Paulo.
Bjos
And he can not only use them for work.
“In human society, the dream of the planet is ruled by lies and fear is the result. It is a dream where humans judge one another , find one another guilty and punish one another. Humans use the power of the word to gossip and to hurt one another. Misuse of the word creates emotional poison, and all that emotional poison is in the dream,It goes around the world and that is what most humans eat: emotional poison.”
Miguel Ruiz “Prayers”
Pourquoi l’artiste raconte-t’il des mensonges?
Parce que ce qu’il dit est tellement simple que personne ne veut le croire.
My hearth said the true but my mind lie to protect it
I am a friend who will be with you through this life
I am a door that opens and gets you out into the world
I am a coach who puts the spark of fight in you
I am a pusher who gets you to try new things
I am a voice who encourages you to talk with your own voice
I am a wind that blows a new scent which arouses in you new feelings
I am a light which helps you to see vividly
I am a love beam that radiates from you when you love
I am a tear when you feel that you have to succumb to the rules of society
Accept me for who I am
Love me for who I am
I am you
I am a lie who always speaks the truth.
The extreme limit of wisdom, that’s what the public calls madness. The instinct of nearly all societies is to lock up anybody who is truly free. First, society begins by trying to beat you up. If this fails, they try to poison you. If this fails too, they finish by loading honors on your head. The poet never asks for admiration; he wants to be believed.
“Unable to withdraw into himself, he disguises himself” :)))My sentiments EXACTLY!
Mask I
These words chase,
blurring vision,
where does the poem end,
the poet begin?
Armour is what they are,
and a sword to wield,
a shield and a mask,
that nothing can penetrate,
for they are air,
these words.
Between the lines;
nothing.
Behind the meaning;
emptiness.
A souls charter,
for meaningless banter.
A face of steel;
shiny,
hard,
full of appeal,
it’s smooth and calm,
rhythmic.
Until it ends,
when silence reigns,
and truth prevails!
Not these words,
It’s a mirror you see,
with holes in the middle,
that look like eyes,
they stare blankly,
carved out of air,
If it’s the poet you seek,
you will not find him there.
For a long time I have been saying that “to lie” is also an addiction (vício).
Interessante,forte, bonito. Muitas verdades, se é que entendi direito por causa da tradução . O segundo parágrafo, especialmente, bem emocionante.
grande beijo,
amor,
Mari.
Me suena a la Torre de Babel
I love your thoughts they are universal and so apt for all age group how simply u put the thoughts in words making a simple thought sound so beautiful you are a true magician of words I pray to God to give you more peace and more words to guide bewildered souls like us
“the warrior treats each situation as if it were unique and never resorts to formulae, recipes or other people’s opinions” :)
You can instead put … “Do you want to read?” or, “Read before you die…” or, A must read or, Last read or, old man’s wisdom or, …
My english is not good…I can’t read in 20 sec… so, increase more time please..
let’s say, 1 minute read or 2 minute read or…
Do not read !
ha ha ha …
God bless you !
how relevant is the time? everybody reads at a different pace and everybody reads certain parts with more detail than others……I hadn’t even noticed the 20 sec part *grin* ….
Monica
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