Ernest Hemingway was a legendary American author and journalist known for his bold, no-frills writing style that changed the way stories were told. He started young—as a reporter at just 17—and went on to live a life as adventurous as his novels, serving as an ambulance driver in World War I and traveling the world as a writer.
He spent much of his adult life in Paris, where he crossed paths with famous writers like Gertrude Stein and James Joyce. He later lived in Spain, Cuba, and Africa, gathering experiences that inspired many of his iconic works.
In 1954, Hemingway won the Nobel Prize in Literature. Sadly, his final years were marked by serious health issues, and he passed away in 1961.
Awaken your inner writer as you read some of the best Ernest Hemingway quotes and sayings that explore his thoughts on life, writing, war, and more.
Fun fact: Hemingway survived not one, but two plane crashes—back-to-back—while on a trip to Africa!
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Famous Ernest Hemingway Quotes
Hemingway’s best-known words continue to inspire readers, writers, and dreamers alike. Here are some of his most iconic quotes:
There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.
—attributed in interview, often cited by writers
Courage is grace under pressure.
—often attributed to Hemingway in various biographies
The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places.
—from A Farewell to Arms (1929)
Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know.
—from The Garden of Eden (posthumous, 1986)
Ernest Hemingway Quotes On Writing & Creativity
Hemingway was as famous for his writing advice as for his stories. His direct, minimalist style changed literature forever.
We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.
—from The Wild Years (1962)
All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.
—from A Moveable Feast (1964)
The hard part about writing a novel is finishing it.
—various interviews
Why these quotes matter:
Hemingway’s reflections on writing are still shared in creative writing classrooms today. His honesty reminds us that creativity is an ongoing struggle—and that persistence, truth, and discipline matter more than inspiration.
Ernest Hemingway Quotes On Life & Courage
Whether facing war, heartbreak, or the wilderness, Hemingway’s words on courage, endurance, and living life fully are unforgettable.
The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them.
—attributed in various biographies
Every man’s life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another.
—from Death in the Afternoon (1932)
You can’t get away from yourself by moving from one place to another.
—from The Sun Also Rises (1926)
Why these quotes matter:
These quotes encourage resilience and authenticity—values that resonate with anyone facing challenges or change.
Ernest Hemingway Quotes On Love & Relationships
Hemingway’s love stories were complex, passionate, and sometimes tragic. Here are his best reflections on the subject:
I love you for all that you are, all that you have been, and all you’re yet to be.
—often attributed, but echoes themes in his novels
Never to go on trips with anyone you do not love.
—from A Moveable Feast (1964)
You can’t stop loving or wanting to love because when it’s right, it’s the best thing in the world.
—from Selected Letters
Why these quotes matter:
Hemingway’s romantic philosophy is realistic and raw—reminding us that love is messy, necessary, and worth the risk.
Ernest Hemingway Quotes On War & Death
Hemingway’s experiences as a soldier and correspondent deeply shaped his worldview.
Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime.
—from a letter to Bernard Berenson, 1946
The world is a fine place and worth the fighting for and I hate very much to leave it.
—from For Whom the Bell Tolls (1940)
Why these quotes matter:
His hard-won wisdom on loss and sacrifice invites us to consider what really matters.
Short & Witty Hemingway Quotes
Sometimes, the greatest wisdom is the simplest.
Before you react, think. Before you spend, earn. Before you criticize, wait. Before you quit, try.
—often attributed
Write drunk; edit sober.
—commonly associated, but likely paraphrased from his views on revision
Why these quotes matter:
These short quotes are easy to remember, easy to share, and perfect for daily inspiration.
Through Hemingway’s Lens
Ernest Hemingway’s quotes continue to resonate because they are honest, courageous, and true to the complexities of life. Whether you’re chasing creative dreams, enduring hardship, or seeking love, his words offer both challenge and comfort.
