Simone de Beauvoir • 17 oktober 1927

• Simone de Beauvoir (1908-1986) was een Franse filosofe en schrijfster. Het onderstaande (in het Engels vertaalde) fragment komt uit het dagboek dat ze als studente bijhield.

Monday, [October] 17
He said to me so sadly, "I so regret coming to you without bringing you any-thing." How could I not have known to respond that you were bringing me something more precious than anything, your presence, your straightfor-ward and serious presence that so firmly supports me; don't you know? And all my great tenderness that puts tears in my eyes upon thinking of you, very dear young friend, a bit weak, a bit simple, without much ardor, but scrupulous, straightforward, and so stripped of irony despite your kind gibes!
I always take for granted things that nobody else does, except Jacques, who was the first to take my hand to lead me into these roads where he has not followed me. I no longer love Jacques. He has my affection, forever. Will he ever find my love again? In fact, there is something in me that would like to see him grown up. No, I will never love again. Nobody is great enough to be loved. Perhaps, however, I will get married. What does it matter?
Have read L'état de gràce [State of Grace]. A bit too affected stylistically. Too literary. But, I like certain things a lot.
At the concert yesterday Franck's "Redemption."
Mozart's "Symphony in B flat."
Chopin's "Concerto in F minor."
"Pavane pour une infante"—Ravel.
"Poème de l'extase"—Scriabine. Very beautiful.