“Once we have a war there is only one thing to do. It must be won. For defeat brings worse things than any that can ever happen in war.”
- July 21, 1899 – July 2, 1961
- American
- Novelist, poet, journalist
- Wrote masterpieces such as “The Old Man and the Sea,” “A Farewell to Arms,” and “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” and won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954
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Quote
“Once we have a war there is only one thing to do. It must be won. For defeat brings worse things than any that can ever happen in war.”
Explanation
In this quote, Hemingway expresses the harsh, realistic view that once war is inevitable, the only acceptable outcome is victory, because defeat carries consequences that are far worse than the immediate suffering and destruction of war. His statement reflects a belief in the urgency and gravity of war, where loss or failure can result in even greater disruption, humiliation, or long-term suffering. Hemingway is acknowledging the tragic paradox of war: although it is brutal and devastating, its consequences are sometimes less severe than the aftermath of defeat, which could bring political upheaval, societal collapse, or even greater violence. This perspective is shaped by Hemingway’s own experiences in World War I and his time spent as a war correspondent, where he witnessed firsthand the physical and psychological toll of war.
Hemingway’s works often explore the morality and futility of war, yet his characters also recognize the necessity of fighting to win in certain circumstances. In A Farewell to Arms and For Whom the Bell Tolls, Hemingway portrays characters who struggle with the absurdity and brutality of war but are also confronted with the fact that, in the moment, victory becomes the only option to avoid total defeat—the kind of defeat that leads to irreparable harm to both individuals and nations. The quote encapsulates the belief that, in times of war, the price of losing is often so high that the effort to win becomes a moral imperative, regardless of the personal or collective cost.
In the modern context, this quote can be interpreted not only in terms of literal wars but also in situations of conflict, competition, or high stakes where the consequences of failure are perceived as far more devastating than the immediate costs of struggle. For instance, in political, economic, or personal battles, people or nations may feel that defeat brings a loss of dignity, stability, or power, making victory seem like the only viable option. Hemingway’s words remind us that in extreme circumstances, people might be driven by the fear of the long-term consequences of failure, even if the fight itself is inherently destructive.
