Angeles Mastretta Quotes

Powerful Angeles Mastretta for Daily Growth

About Angeles Mastretta

Angeles Mastretta (born September 19, 1949) is a prominent Mexican author known for her compelling novels that delve into the complexities of human relationships and the intricacies of femininity. Born in Mexico City, Mastretta grew up in an environment that fostered her love for storytelling. Her father was a journalist and her mother a poet, both influential figures in shaping her literary sensibilities. At the age of 14, she published her first poem in a national magazine, foreshadowing a successful writing career ahead. Mastretta studied literature at the Universidad Iberoamericana and later moved to Paris to pursue a degree in Comparative Literature at the Sorbonne. It was during this time that she wrote her debut novel "La Novicia Rebelde" (1982), which explored themes of female rebellion and the struggle for independence. Her work gained widespread recognition with the publication of "Sor Juana's Secret" in 1994, a historical novel about the life of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, a remarkable Mexican poet and scholar. The book was translated into several languages and brought Mastretta international acclaim. Major works by Mastretta include "The Hour of the Star" (1988), which tells the story of a young woman from the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, and "Cold Hearts" (2003), a novel about an estranged couple who are forced to confront their past when they meet again after many years. Throughout her career, Mastretta has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Juan Rulfo Prize for Fiction and the Xavier Villaurrutia Prize for Drama. Her writing continues to inspire readers worldwide, reflecting her unique perspective on love, identity, and the human experience.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Abandonarse a lo imprevisto es la mejor forma de vivir." (To abandon oneself to the unexpected is the best way to live.)

This quote emphasizes embracing the unpredictable aspects of life as the optimal approach to living. Rather than planning every moment, Mastretta suggests that one should let go and allow spontaneity, surprises, and the unfamiliar to shape their journey, making life more vibrant, exciting, and fulfilling.


"El amor no es una cosa que se posea ni que se compruebe, es una palabra que se da y se recibe." (Love is not something you possess or verify, it's a word that one gives and receives.)

This quote by Angeles Mastretta emphasizes that love is an act of giving and receiving, rather than a tangible object to be possessed. Love is expressed through actions and emotions, not ownership or verification. It's a mutual exchange between individuals, creating a bond between them. This perspective encourages us to appreciate the intangible nature of love and cherish its gift in our relationships.


"La vida es muy corta para llenarla de reproches por lo que no se ha hecho." (Life is too short to fill it with regrets for what wasn't done.)

This quote by Angeles Mastretta underscores the importance of seizing opportunities and living a life full of experiences, rather than dwelling on missed chances or unrealized dreams. It encourages embracing the present moment, making the most of life's fleeting nature, and not letting regrets overshadow the journey. Essentially, it serves as a reminder to live boldly and act decisively.


"Haber vivido amor es una razón suficiente para haber vivido." (To have loved is a sufficient reason for having lived.)

This quote by Angeles Mastretta emphasizes the transformative power of love in one's life journey. Love, in this context, goes beyond romantic affection to encompass deep emotional connections that touch our souls and shape who we are. The author suggests that having experienced such profound emotion is a valuable justification for living – it gives meaning to our existence, making the trials and tribulations of life worthwhile. Love, thus, becomes an essential component in the pursuit of a fulfilling life.


"El que no sabe llorar, no ha sabido vivir." (He who does not know how to cry, has not known how to live.)

This quote emphasizes the importance of experiencing a full range of emotions, particularly sadness, as part of a rich and meaningful life. The act of crying is often associated with deep emotional responses such as sorrow, regret, or pain. If someone has never experienced these feelings deeply enough to cry, it suggests they may not have fully engaged in the human experience. Thus, the quote implies that a life lived without experiencing profound sadness might be considered incomplete or less vibrant than one where such emotions are acknowledged and processed.


We, in the late '60s, '70s and '80s, are acting like we have just discovered freedom and liberation. But I'm sure that many women have worked for that for such a long time.

- Angeles Mastretta

Like, Discovered, Sure, Liberation

I believe that there is an important part of every human being that is defined in terms of their significant other: how we choose our partner, and how we behave when we are with them. And that is the part that interests me. How that part of the personality is forged doesn't just interest me, it fascinates me.

- Angeles Mastretta

Other, Part, Forged, Defined

There are many people who say, 'I write for myself.' I think that if you write and publish, then you write for your readers, not just for yourself. Many writers say that they write to be loved. I place myself among those writers.

- Angeles Mastretta

Think, I Think, I Write, Readers

Without a doubt. I believe in fate the same way others believe in God. I do believe in fate.

- Angeles Mastretta

Fate, Doubt, Same, I Believe In

When I was in my 20s, I wanted to be tough. I discovered that I didn't want to be the woman I was raised to be - a good, traditional wife. When I went out in the world to find a husband, I found that husbands weren't ready to accept the kind of woman I was going to be.

- Angeles Mastretta

Woman, Husband, Discovered, Husbands

My passion is writing, but it is also a fight because I still see home as a woman's duty.

- Angeles Mastretta

Woman, See, Still, Duty

I do write to be loved; I speak so that I am loved; I work for love; I live with others so that they may love me, and so that I can love them. For me, this is very important, and many, or all, of my relationships are based on that.

- Angeles Mastretta

Love, I Can, Very, Speak

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