Quotes by Simone de Beauvoir

Representation 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.

The most mediocre of males feels himself a demigod as compared with women.

No one is more arrogant toward women, more aggressive or scornful, than the man who is anxious about his virility.

All oppression creates a state of war.

Defending the truth is not something one does out of a sense of duty or to allay guilt complexes, but is a reward in itself.

I tore myself away from the safe comfort of certainties through my love for truth – and truth rewarded me.

Society, being codified by man, decrees that woman is inferior she can do away with this inferiority only by destroying the male’s superiority.

Society cares for the individual only so far as he is profitable.

All 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.

One’s life has value so long as one attributes value to the life of others, by means of love, friendship, indignation and compassion.