---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is always a period when a man with…"
description: "\"There is always a period when a man with a beard shaves it off. This period does not last. He returns headlong to his beard.\" — Jean Cocteau"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f1/jean-cocteau-1181_beard_there-is-always-a-period-when-a-man-with_2840308.jpg"
---

#  There is always a period when a man with a beard shaves it…

![“There is always a period when a man with a beard shaves it off. This period does not last. He returns headlong to his beard.” quote by Jean Cocteau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f1/jean-cocteau-1181_beard_there-is-always-a-period-when-a-man-with_2840308.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f1/jean-cocteau-1181_beard_there-is-always-a-period-when-a-man-with_2840308.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f1/jean-cocteau-1181_beard_there-is-always-a-period-when-a-man-with_2840308.jpg)

> “There is always a period when a man with a beard shaves it off. This period does not last. He returns headlong to his beard.”

[Jean Cocteau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-cocteau/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Men periodically abandon their beards, only to return to them quickly, reflecting cyclical habits and identity shifts.

**In simple terms:** Men shave then grow beards again soon after.

Key Takeaway

Accept that personal habits may be cyclical.

Themes

habit identity change

Mood

contemplative philosophical

Type

personal cultural

When to use this quote

- personal grooming
- career changes
- fashion trends

Key Concepts

self‑reflection cultural norms

Questions to Reflect On

- Why do you return to familiar habits?
- What does a beard symbolize for you?

A Different Perspective

Changing identity may cause social friction.

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[Beard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beard/) [Beard Shaves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beard-shaves-3720015/) [Hair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hair/) [Headlong Beard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/headlong-beard-3720016/) [Man Beard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-beard-2038723/) [Shaves Period](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shaves-period-3720014/)

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## More by Jean Cocteau

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