49 Quotes by Virginie Despentes

But he never makes a call to ask for help. He cannot put his finger on precisely what is stopping him. He has had time to think about it. It remains an enigma. He scoured the internet in search of advice for pathological procrastinators. He drew up lists of what he had to lose, what he would be risking, and what he had to gain. It made no difference. He calls no-one.

Waking into a room, checking whether there are men in it, wanting to please them. Not talking to loud. Not being forceful. Not sitting with your legs splayed to be more comfortable. Not speaking with authority. Not talking about money. Not wanting a position of authority. Not seeking glory. Not laughing too loud. Not being too funny. Pleasing men is a complex art, which requires that one should eliminate anything remotely concerned with power.

Carlito always used to say teenagers don’t start drugs because they taste good, or because the kids are bored, or because they want to forget their problems, or because of their hormones, no, they get high to destroy their intelligence. Because if they kept it intact, just when it’s at its peak, they wouldn’t be able to bear the pain of the disgust they’d feel for their parents.

And that unconscious ease that comes of being so young – still oblivious to the blows that will destroy parts of her. Past the age of forty, everyone is like a bombed-out city.