Done Quote by Simone de Beauvoir
“To refuse everything, to say, even when there is something which really should be done, "Ah, that's no longer feminist," is a pessimistic, even masochistic tendency in women, the result of having been habituated to inertia, to pessimism.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Second Sex, Simone de Beauvoir, 1949
Women internalize inertia, labeling necessary action as “un‑feminist,” leading to pessimism and masochism.
In simple terms: Women reject action fearing it isn’t feminist.
Recognize agency as feminist.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- activism
- career decisions
- personal growth
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can feminism empower action?
- What habits sustain inertia?
Risk of blaming all women for inertia.