“What should a society be, so that in his last years a man might still be a man?”

— Simone de Beauvoir, The Coming of Age (1970), Conclusion

About Simone de Beauvoir

1908 – 1986

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

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

“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.”

“The older I grow, the more I distrust the familiar doctrine that age brings wisdom.”

“The instructions of an old man are precious.”

“Old age deprives the intelligent man only of qualities useless to wisdom.”

“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em.”

“I call upon you, young men, to obey your heart, and be the nobility of this land.”

“The young have exalted notions, because they have not been humbled by life or learned its necessary limitations.”