--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Oppression tries to defend itself by its…" description: "\"Oppression tries to defend itself by its utility. But we have seen that it is one of the lies of the serious mind to attempt to give the word \"useful\" ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a2/simone-de-beauvoir-407_absolutes_oppression-tries-to-defend-itself-by-its_1299261.jpg" --- # Oppression tries to defend itself by its utility. But we… ![“Oppression tries to defend itself by its utility. But we have seen that it is one of the lies of the serious mind to attempt to give the word "useful" an absolute meaning; nothing is useful if it is not useful to man; nothing is useful to man if the latter is not in a position to define his own…” quote by Simone de Beauvoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a2/simone-de-beauvoir-407_absolutes_oppression-tries-to-defend-itself-by-its_1299261.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a2/simone-de-beauvoir-407_absolutes_oppression-tries-to-defend-itself-by-its_1299261.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a2/simone-de-beauvoir-407_absolutes_oppression-tries-to-defend-itself-by-its_1299261.jpg) > “Oppression tries to defend itself by its utility. But we have seen that it is one of the lies of the serious mind to attempt to give the word "useful" an absolute meaning; nothing is useful if it is not useful to man; nothing is useful to man if the latter is not in a position to define his own ends and values, if he is not free.” [Simone de Beauvoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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. Oppression claims usefulness, but true usefulness depends on human freedom and self‑determined values. **In simple terms:** Oppression is only “useful” when people are free to set their own goals. Key Takeaway Freedom defines what is truly useful. Themes freedom oppression values autonomy Mood reflective critical Type philosophical political When to use this quote - political activism - education reform - personal empowerment - social movements Key Concepts existentialism critical theory Questions to Reflect On - How do we ensure that usefulness serves human freedom? - What values should guide our definition of usefulness? A Different Perspective If people lack freedom, “useful” becomes a justification for control. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Absolutes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absolutes/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Lying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lying/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Oppression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oppression/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) ## Related quotes > [Oppression tries to defend itself by its utility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/oppression-tries-to-defend-itself-by-its-utility/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Phyllis explained to him, trying to give of her deeper self, 'Don't you find it so beautiful, math? 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