Marguerite Duras Quotes about Children

A book consists of two layers: on top, the readable layer ... and underneath, a layer that was inaccessible. You only sense its existence in a moment of distraction from the literal reading, the way you see childhood

A book consists of two layers: on top, the readable layer ... and underneath, a layer that was inaccessible. You only sense its existence in a moment of distraction from the literal reading, the way you see childhood through a child. It would take forever to tell what you see, and it would be pointless.

Marguerite Duras

Children, Book, Reading

The woman is the home. That's where she used to be, and that's where she still is. You might ask me, What if a man tries to be part of the home -- will the woman let him? I answer yes. Because the he becomes one of the children.

Marguerite Duras

Children, Home, Men

Marguerite Duras (1993). “Practicalities”, p.51, Grove Press

Life is only lived full-time by women with children.

Marguerite Duras

Children, Life Is

Marguerite Duras (1993). “Practicalities”, p.123, Grove Press

I'm still there, watching those possessed children, as far away from the mystery now as I was then. I've never written, though I thought I wrote, never loved, though I thought I loved, never done anything but wait outside the closed door.

Marguerite Duras

Children, Doors, Waiting

Marguerite Duras (2011). “The Lover”, p.25, Pantheon

When a woman drinks it's as if an animal were drinking, or a child. Alcoholism is scandalous in a woman, and a female alcoholic is rare, a serious matter. It's a slur on the divine in our nature.

Marguerite Duras

Children, Drinking, Animal

Marguerite Duras (1993). “Practicalities”, p.17, Grove Press

To love one child and to love all children, whether living or dead -somewhere these two loves come together. To love a no-good but humble punk and to love an honest man who believes himself to be an honest man -somewhere these, too, come together.

Marguerite Duras

Love, Children, Believe

For that's what a woman, a mother wants - to teach her children to take an interest in life. She knows it's safer for them to be interested in other people's happiness than to believe in their own.

Marguerite Duras

Mother, Children, Believe

Marguerite Duras (1993). “Practicalities”, p.42, Grove Press

A house means a family house, a place specially meant for putting children and men in so as to restrict their waywardness and distract them from the longing for adventure and escape they've had since time began.

Marguerite Duras

Time, Children, Home

Marguerite Duras (1993). “Practicalities”, p.42, Grove Press