One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman. — Simone de Beauvoir | Printable Wall Art

“One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.”

Words by Simone de Beauvoir (1908-1986) — French existentialist philosopher and author of The Second Sex.

About this quote

Simone de Beauvoir argues that womanhood is not an inherent biological trait, but a social role shaped by culture and upbringing. Society imposes expectations, habits, and limitations that teach a person how to act as a woman. By distinguishing biological sex from gender identity, she highlights how female identity is constructed over time through social conditioning rather than predetermined by nature at birth.

This line opens the second volume of de Beauvoir's foundational 1949 feminist book, The Second Sex. It became a central text in modern philosophy, establishing the distinction between biological sex and socially constructed gender roles.

People often hang this quote in a home office or study as a daily reminder of self-determination and personal growth.

What you get

An instant digital download. Choose your design and size at checkout — 19 typographic designs and 8 print sizes are available for this quote.

• Print-ready PDF with fully embedded vector type — sharp at any scale
• Exact trim size, no cropping required
• Print at home, at a local print shop, or upload to an online printer
• Instant download — no physical item is shipped

Sizes available

5" x 7" · 8" x 10" · 11" x 14" · 12" x 16" · 16" x 20" · 18" x 24" · 24" x 36" · A4 (21 x 29.7 cm)

Designs available

Atelier Serif · Quiet Garamond · Studio Left · Gallery Rule · Midnight Serif · Editorial Left Serif · Modern Sans Calm · Letterpress Caps · Poster Condensed · Script Whisper · Manuscript Italic · Asymmetric Left · Minimal Unsigned · Charcoal Sans · Gallery Frame · Soft Serif Right · Statement Serif · Night Script · Tracked Caps Unsigned

Digital product. Colours may vary slightly between screens and printers. Frames and props are not included.