Being selfish Quote by Simone de Beauvoir
“I am awfully greedy; I want everything from life. I want to be a woman and to be a man, to have many friends and to have loneliness, to work much and write good books, to travel and enjoy myself, to be selfish and to be unselfish… You see, it is difficult to get all which I want. And then when I do not succeed I get mad with anger.”
About This Quote
The speaker confesses an insatiable desire for contradictory experiences—both social and solitary, productive and idle—leading to frustration when reality falls short.
In simple terms: I crave everything, then get angry when unmet.
Key Takeaway
Unbounded desire breeds discontent.
Themes
desire
contradiction
self‑acceptance
frustration
Mood
conflicted
yearning
Type
philosophical
confessional
When to use this quote
- career planning
- relationship choices
- creative pursuits
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology of desire
Practical Applications
- Prioritize core values
- Practice contentment exercises
Questions to Reflect On
- What core desires truly fulfill you?
- How can you reconcile opposing goals?
A Different Perspective
Some contradictions are natural; striving for balance may be healthier than suppressing desire.
