The Lying Life of Adults by Elena Ferrante

 

"...he had learned long ago that in the scuffles between boys and girls boys are always wrong and girls always right, and that even if that wasn't the case this time, boys should still be brought up to assume their responsibilities, even when they appeared to have none. Naturally, this is an approximate summary, my father spoke at length and his phrases were fascinating and finely honed, the sort of discourse that is so elegantly formulated it amazes you, and at the same time it's pronounced with unquestionable authority, and you understand it admits no objections."