Quote by Ernest Hemingway

Survival, with honor, that outmoded and all-important word, is as difficult as ever and as all-important to a writer. Those who do not last are always more beloved since no one has to see them in their long, dull, unrelenting, no-quarter-given-and-no-quarter-received, fights that they make to do something as they believe it should be done before they die. Those who die or quit early and easy and with every good reason are preferred because they are understandable and human. Failure and well-disguised cowardice are more human and more beloved.


Survival, with honor, that outmoded and all-important word,

Summary

This quote asserts that survival in the realm of writing, while crucial, remains challenging, demanding both perseverance and integrity. The author suggests that writers who do not achieve longevity are often romanticized because they are spared from the relentless battle of upholding their principles until the end. Those who quit early or fail, however, are viewed as more relatable and endearing, as their shortcomings and concealed fear display their humanity. Essentially, the quote highlights the difficulty of succeeding in writing and the preference society often holds for those who grapple with their ideals until their last breath.

Topics

Survival
By Ernest Hemingway
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