21 Ernest Hemingway Quotes to Use as Guiding Principles
Leaving behind an impressive body of work written in an iconic style, Nobel Prize winner Ernest Hemingway is one of America’s greatest writers.
Hemingway’s succinct and clean prose style was imitated by many other authors, especially in the 20th century. He used short and simple sentences, leaving aside any verbosity that would imply further interpretation or emotional rhetoric.
Much of Hemingway’s work was inspired by the war and his characters embody his own values and way of thinking -- intense masculinity and confidence that harmoniously coexist with sensitivity. Based on this he created a set of principles known as the ‘Code Hero’ which he defined as ‘a man who lives correctly, following the ideals of honor, courage and endurance in a world that is sometimes chaotic, often stressful, and always painful.’
By writing masterpieces like 'A Farewell to Arms' or 'The Old Man and the Sea’ and by living an adventurous life, Hemingway earned himself a fame surpassed by few.
Here are 21 Ernest Hemingway quotes to help you become a more virtuous person.
The best people possess a feeling for beauty, the courage to take risks, the discipline to tell the truth, the capacity for sacrifice. Ironically, their virtues make them vulnerable; they are often wounded, sometimes destroyed.
Let him think that I am more man than I am and I will be so.
Courage is grace under pressure.
The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them.
The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting that you are special too.
Never confuse movement with action.
So far, about morals, I know only that what is moral is what you feel good after and what is immoral is what you feel bad after.
When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.
Never go on trips with anyone you do not love.
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.
No, that is the great fallacy: the wisdom of old men. They do not grow wise. They grow careful.
The first and final thing you have to do in this world is to last it and not be smashed by it.
The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.
People were always the limiters of happiness except for the very few that were as good as spring itself.
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.
Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know.
There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.
Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime.
Worry a little bit every day and in a lifetime you will lose a couple of years. If something is wrong, fix it if you can. But train yourself not to worry: Worry never fixes anything.
Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is.
It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.