Simone de Beauvoir
It is not in giving life but in risking life that man is raised above the animal; that is why superiority has been accorded in humanity not to the sex that brings forth but to that which kills.
Simone de BeauvoirWhen we abolish the slavery of half of humanity, together with the whole system of hypocrisy it implies, then the "division" of humanity will reveal its genuine significance and the human couple will find its true form.
Simone de BeauvoirMan is defined as a human being and a woman as a female - whenever she behaves as a human being she is said to imitate the male.
Simone de BeauvoirOne is not born a genius, one becomes a genius.
Simone de BeauvoirThe writer of originality, unless dead, is always shocking, scandalous; novelty disturbs and repels.
Simone de BeauvoirLife is occupied in both perpetuating itself and in surpassing itself; if all it does is maintain itself, then living is only not dying.
Simone de BeauvoirTo catch a husband is an art; to hold him is a job.
Simone de BeauvoirOne is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.
Simone de BeauvoirWhy one man rather than another? It was odd. You find yourself involved with a fellow for life just because he was the one that you met when you were nineteen.
Simone de BeauvoirRepresentation of the world, like the world itself, is the work of men; they describe it from their own point of view, which they confuse with the absolute truth.
Simone de BeauvoirAll the idols made by man, however terrifying they may be, are in point of fact subordinate to him, and that is why he will always have it in his power to destroy them.
Simone de BeauvoirThe most mediocre of males feels himself a demigod as compared with women.
Simone de BeauvoirThat a whole part of the middle class detests me... is utterly normal. I would be troubled if the contrary were true.
Simone de BeauvoirIf you live long enough, you'll see that every victory turns into a defeat.
Simone de BeauvoirThat's what I consider true generosity. You give your all, and yet you always feel as if it costs you nothing.
Simone de BeauvoirIt is in the knowledge of the genuine conditions of our lives that we must draw our strength to live and our reasons for living.
Simone de BeauvoirOne's life has value so long as one attributes value to the life of others, by means of love, friendship, indignation and compassion.
Simone de BeauvoirI tore myself away from the safe comfort of certainties through my love for the truth; and truth rewarded me.
Simone de BeauvoirThere is no such thing as a natural death: nothing that happens to a man is ever natural, since his presence calls the world into question. All men must die: but for every man his death is an accident and, even if he knows it and consents to it, an unjustifiable violation.
Simone de BeauvoirOne is not born a woman, one becomes one.
Simone de Beauvoir