“There is an element of failure in all success.”

— Simone de Beauvoir, The Ethics of Ambiguity (1948)

About Simone de Beauvoir

1908 – 1986

French existentialist philosopher and author of "The Second Sex".

“I wish that every human life might be pure transparent freedom.”

“Self-knowledge is no guarantee of happiness, but it is on the side of happiness and can supply the courage to fight for it.”

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

Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”

Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.

“Nothing will work unless you do.”

Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”

“I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.”

“Success always demands a greater effort.”

“He that can have patience can have what he will.”