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The curse which lies upon marriage is that too often the…

“The curse which lies upon marriage is that too often the individuals are joined in their weakness rather than in their strengtheach asking from the other instead of finding pleasure in giving. It is even more deceptive to dream of gaining through the child a plenitude, a warmth, a value, which one…” quote by Simone de Beauvoir
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“The curse which lies upon marriage is that too often the individuals are joined in their weakness rather than in their strengtheach asking from the other instead of finding pleasure in giving. It is even more deceptive to dream of gaining through the child a plenitude, a warmth, a value, which one is unable to create for oneself; the child brings joy only to the woman who iscapable of disinterestedly desiring the happiness of another, to one who without being wrapped up in self seeks to transcend her own existence.”

Simone de Beauvoir

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Marriage often unites people in shared weakness rather than mutual strength; true fulfillment comes from self‑generated value, not from projecting expectations onto children.

In simple terms: Marriage can weaken rather than strengthen; seek self‑worth, not child‑based validation.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate personal strength before seeking it in others.

Themes

marriage self‑worth parenthood dependence strength

Mood

reflective thoughtful critical

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • relationship counseling
  • parenting decisions
  • personal development
  • self‑esteem building

Key Concepts

feminist philosophy existentialism psychology

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you define strength independent of a partner?
  • What personal values can you nurture without external validation?
A Different Perspective

Relying on a child for fulfillment can limit personal growth and create dependency.

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