Leila Slimani Quotes

Powerful Leila Slimani for Daily Growth

About Leila Slimani

Leila Slimani, born on October 8, 1981, is a Moroccan-French novelist and journalist whose poignant narratives have captivated readers worldwide. Raised in Rabat, Morocco, she spent her early years immersed in the vibrant culture of the Mediterranean, before moving to France at the age of 26 to pursue a master's degree in journalism at Paris VIII University. Slimani's writing is heavily influenced by her dual heritage and experiences as an outsider, exploring themes of identity, cultural clashes, and the complexities of modern-day family life. Her debut novel, 'Chanson Douce' (2016), translated into English as 'Lullaby,' earned her international acclaim, winning the prestigious Prix Goncourt – the most coveted literary award in France. In 'Lullaby,' Slimani masterfully weaves a chilling tale of a nanny who murders two children in the care of her employers. The novel delves into the darker aspects of maternal instincts, societal expectations, and the fragility of family life, making it a thought-provoking exploration of contemporary issues. Slimani's second novel, 'Sandrine Houde,' published in 2018, continues her examination of female identity, delving into the complexities of love, ambition, and loss. Her writing, marked by its raw emotional intensity and sharp social commentary, has cemented her place as a prominent voice in contemporary French literature. In addition to her work as an author, Slimani is also a renowned journalist and professor at Paris Dauphine University. She continues to challenge and captivate readers with her powerful narratives that explore the intricacies of human nature, culture, and identity.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"In every woman, there is a killer."

This quote by Leila Slimani suggests that within each woman lies a complex, multifaceted nature capable of intense emotions and actions. It does not necessarily imply a propensity for violence or harm, but rather highlights the depth and potential strength that reside in every female individual. However, the phrase "killer" can be interpreted metaphorically to represent the inner drive and determination that women may exhibit when pursuing their goals or standing up for themselves and others. It's a call to recognize the power within women and appreciate the diverse roles they play in society.


"To love is to want to protect someone."

This quote by Leila Slimani underscores the deep, protective nature of love. It suggests that when we love someone, our feelings extend beyond mere affection or attraction; we desire to ensure their safety, wellbeing, and happiness. Love is not just about personal fulfillment, but also about fostering a sense of security and care for the other person, ensuring they are protected from harm in both literal and emotional contexts.


"Secrets are like walls. They separate us from others."

This quote by Leila Slimani emphasizes that secrets, like physical barriers, create distance and isolation between individuals. Secrets, when kept hidden, prevent genuine connection and understanding among people. They obstruct open communication and trust, which are essential for building strong relationships and communities. By sharing our truths, we break down these metaphorical walls, fostering empathy, unity, and mutual growth.


"The worst thing that can happen to a child is to be raised by wolves."

This quote suggests that children lacking proper human upbringing, where they learn essential social skills, empathy, language, and values, may grow up with unnatural or impaired development. The "wolves" here symbolize an environment devoid of nurturing human relationships and education, which can lead to a life filled with the raw instincts and behaviors of wild animals rather than civilized human beings. It implies that such circumstances can cause significant harm to a child's emotional, psychological, and social development.


"Life doesn't always go where we plan it to, but sometimes the best things happen when you least expect them."

This quote by Leila Slimani emphasizes that while we may have preconceived ideas about how our lives should unfold (planning), life often takes unexpected turns. However, these unforeseen events, or the "best things," can bring us joy, growth, and opportunities beyond what we could have imagined with our initial plans. It encourages us to remain open and adaptable in our journey through life, as it is those spontaneous moments that can enrich our experiences and foster personal development.


All fiction is based on truth - 'Madame Bovary' is based on a true story!

- Leila Slimani

Truth, Fiction, Based, True Story

I am not patriotic or nationalistic, but the French language is like a country where I take refuge when I have nowhere else to go. It consoles me for everything. For me, the language no longer belongs to the colonialists.

- Leila Slimani

Country, Like, Patriotic, French Language

I don't really consider myself an immigrant, because I was born French; I have always spoken the language. I never had the feeling of being a foreigner. I was very lucky: I came to France, and I had enough money to study and to rent a studio. So, for me, it was not difficult.

- Leila Slimani

Lucky, Studio, Very, Enough Money

Let's stop hiding behind a pseudo-respect of cultures, in a sickening relativism that's only a mask for our cowardice, our cynicism, and our powerlessness. I, born Muslim, Moroccan, and French, I will say it to you: Sharia makes me vomit.

- Leila Slimani

Behind, Powerlessness, French

A mother should never be blamed for working.

- Leila Slimani

Mother, Never, Should, Blamed

When I was a little girl, my first link to the world was as a reader. Sometimes, I feel a nostalgia for those times, for all the emotions I felt as a child - discovering novels, discovering Dickens, Balzac, or Dostoevsky. I wanted to be like those men.

- Leila Slimani

Sometimes, Link, Reader, Dickens

Everyone asks me, 'Why do you choose such subversive or shocking themes?' but when I'm alone in my office, I'm not like, 'OK I'm going to shock.' I want to write about a character who fascinates me, someone who I don't understand.

- Leila Slimani

Why, About, Subversive, OK

That animal part of us, it's the most interesting part. It's everything that has to do with drives, with things we can't stop ourselves from doing, with all the spaces where we're unable to reason with ourselves. It has its dark side, but there's a luminous side, too, which is the fact that we're just another species of animal.

- Leila Slimani

Doing, Reason, Fact, Spaces

My parents were lovers of books, and they raised us in a manner that viewed freedom and subversion as indispensable.

- Leila Slimani

Freedom, Books, Were, Subversion

Human darkness fascinates me; I find it intriguing. And there are few female characters who are explored in this light.

- Leila Slimani

Find, Intriguing, Characters, Fascinates

It's very important to say that French doesn't belong to France and to French people. Now you have very wonderful poets and writers in French who are not French or Algerian - who are from Senegal, from Haiti, from Canada, a lot of parts of the world.

- Leila Slimani

Belong, Very, Lot, French People

I remember, when I was a teenager, people telling me, 'You know, when you are a mother, you will never feel lonely. You will feel so much love, and you will be fulfilled by this love.' Then I became a mother. And I learnt that is absolutely wrong: you can feel very lonely with your children, even if you love them.

- Leila Slimani

Love, Telling, Became, Teenager

When you become a 'public person,' I find it very difficult to keep following social media. It is too harsh, too violent. I only read newspapers online.

- Leila Slimani

Violent, Very, Read, Social Media

I grew up in Morocco. I was born a Muslim, and, every year, I celebrated Christmas in a big white house in the country, halfway between Meknes and Fez.

- Leila Slimani

Big, Country, Muslim, Celebrated

Authors have a nationality; books do not.

- Leila Slimani

Nationality, Books, Authors

I want to say that I can be Moroccan and speak about someone without speaking about his nationality. Because, you know, I have the feeling that when you come from Morocco, when you come from Afghanistan, when you come from Africa, Occidental people always wait for you to write a novel about identity.

- Leila Slimani

Wait, Without, About, Nationality

A nanny is a woman who lives in an apartment, but the apartment is not her own. She raises children, teaches them how to walk, how to speak; she gives them food - but these children are not her children. So she is in a very ambiguous place.

- Leila Slimani

Woman, Very, Lives, Ambiguous

My two sisters and I had a very nice nanny at home in Morocco until I was 13. I remember my parents saying how she had insinuated herself into our family. They knew she would suffer when we broke away from her.

- Leila Slimani

I Remember, Away, Very, Herself

In Morocco, there is an insistence on authority. Children are not encouraged to speak up in front of their parents. My parents were not like this. I was the kind of girl who could tell her father, 'No, what you are saying is totally untrue, and I don't agree with you.'

- Leila Slimani

Father, Tell, Untrue, Insistence

I just don't believe that a woman is naturally closer to her child than a man. Not at all.

- Leila Slimani

Woman, Her, Naturally, Closer

You want your children to love the nanny, but at the same time, you want to stay the mother, and you want to be the most-loved. So there is a sort of jealousy between the mother and the nanny.

- Leila Slimani

Love, Want, Same Time, To Love

People are not born evil, although we all have evil within us.

- Leila Slimani

Born, Within, Although, Evil

When I was a little girl and people would ask me what I wanted to be when I got older, I always used to say I want to be paid to think. So for me, to dream, to think, to write - it is wonderful.

- Leila Slimani

Think, Want, Always, Little Girl

I remember that the first time I looked at my son, of course I felt love. But I think the first feeling was not love: it was fear. Someone is needing me. If something happens to him, what am I going to do? Maybe I won't survive if something happens to him? The fear was as big as the love.

- Leila Slimani

Love, Big, I Remember, Needing

'Lullaby' is about boundaries.

- Leila Slimani

Boundaries, About, Lullaby

One of the big mistakes of the Moroccan elite and the elite in the Muslim world was to be afraid of the conservatives. They are fighting for their ideas. Why shouldn't we fight for our ideas?

- Leila Slimani

Mistakes, Big, Muslim, Elite

I don't listen to music. I know it's weird, and I have no explanation for that. But I never do.

- Leila Slimani

Music, Weird, Never, Explanation

People don't want to treat their nannies subserviently. They don't want to act like bosses. And so nobody quite knows how to behave, and everyone is slightly pretending that the mother and nanny are 'equal' - when that's not the case. And pretending you are equal can make things complicated, even dangerous.

- Leila Slimani

Treat, Pretending, Slightly, Behave

Motherhood is not only something very pure and very full of love, it can be full of dark things, too.

- Leila Slimani

Love, Very, Too, Motherhood

I, too, am interested in identity and Islam, which is what people expect of us. But one must not write what is expected. It's important for North African writers to show they have other things to say.

- Leila Slimani

Other, Expected, Which, African

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