The speed of a runaway horse counts for nothing.

Cocteau’s aphorism contrasts mere velocity with purposeful direction. A runaway horse may move fast, but because it is uncontrolled and aimless, its speed has no real value—indeed it may be dangerous. Read as advice about art, ambition, or modern life, the line suggests that intensity, productivity, or rapid progress are meaningless without intention, discipline, and a chosen destination. It also implies a critique of impulsiveness: when one is “run away” by passion, fashion, or panic, acceleration can become a substitute for judgment. The quote thus praises mastery and orientation over raw momentum.