"Les acteurs sont des coquins et des vagabonds. Ou ils devraient l'être."

The essence of this quote is that actors, in their truest form, should embody the spirit of outlaws and wanderers. These are people who don't just play by the rules or fit into neat societal boxes. They should be daring, unpredictable, and willing to push boundaries. It’s not just about the act of performing; it’s about the mindset and lifestyle that fuel their craft.

Historically, actors have often been seen as societal outliers. In Elizabethan England, for instance, actors were literally labeled as "vagabonds" and "rogues" by law if they didn't have the patronage of a nobleman. This wasn't just a label—it was a reflection of how society viewed them. They lived on the fringes, moved from place to place, and were seen as both fascinating and slightly dangerous.

Now, picture Johnny Depp. He’s a modern-day rogue on screen and off. Depp’s roles are eccentric, from Captain Jack Sparrow to Edward Scissorhands. He doesn’t just act these characters—he becomes them, fully immersing himself in their world. Off-screen, his life is just as unconventional. He’s known for his eclectic style, his rebellious nature, and his ability to stay true to himself despite Hollywood's pressures to conform. Depp's career is a testament to the idea that great actors should live a bit on the edge; it's what fuels their creativity.

So how do you apply this idea if you're an actor—or even if you're not? It’s about embracing the unconventional. If you’re in the arts, don’t be afraid to take risks. Play the roles that scare you, the ones that aren’t just a safe bet. Live a life that’s full of diverse experiences. Travel, meet different kinds of people, immerse yourself in various cultures. All these experiences will enrich your craft and make you a more compelling performer.

Let's take a more relatable scenario. Imagine you're at a family gathering, and there’s that one cousin who always tells the best stories. They’ve traveled the world, worked odd jobs, maybe even had a few scrapes with the law. Their life is a tapestry of adventures and misadventures. You’re riveted when they talk, because their experiences are so vivid, so real. They’re not just recounting events; they’re making you feel like you were there with them. That’s the kind of energy an actor needs to bring to their performance. They need to have lived a little, taken some risks, and brought those experiences into their work.

In essence, being an actor—or in a broader sense, a creative individual—means you have to break out of the conventional molds. Sometimes, society might frown upon your choices. But it's those very choices that can make your art exceptional. So, live a little on the edge, embrace the rogue within you. It’s not just about acting; it's about how you live your life.