“The curse which lies upon marriage is that too often the individuals are joined in their weakness rather than in their strength, each asking from the other instead of finding pleasure in giving.”
— Simone de Beauvoir
“It was said that I refused to grant any value to the maternal instinct and to love. This was not so. I simply asked that women should experience them truthfully and freely, whereas they often use them as excuses and take refuge in them, only to find themselves imprisoned in that refuge when those emotions have dried up in their hearts. I was accused of preaching sexual promiscuity; but at no point did I ever advise anyone to sleep with just anyone at just any time; my opinion on this subject is that all choices, agreements and refusals should be made independently of institutions, conventions and motives of self-aggrandizement; if the reasons for it are not of the same order as the act itself, then the only result can be lies, distortions and mutilations.”
— Simone de Beauvoir
“I tore myself away from the safe comfort of certainties through my love for truth — and truth rewarded me.”
— Simone de Beauvoir
“That's what I consider true generosity. You give your all, and yet you always feel as if it costs you nothing.”
— Simone de Beauvoir
“There is only one good. And that is to act according to the dictates of one's conscience.”
— Simone de Beauvoir
“Self-knowledge is no guarantee of happiness, but it is on the side of happiness and can supply the courage to fight for it.”
— Simone de Beauvoir