“I know war as few other men now living know it, and nothing to me is more revolting. I have long advocated its complete abolition, as its very destructiveness on both friend and foe has rendered it useless as a method of settling international disputes.”
- 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
table of contents
Quote
“I know war as few other men now living know it, and nothing to me is more revolting. I have long advocated its complete abolition, as its very destructiveness on both friend and foe has rendered it useless as a method of settling international disputes.”
Explanation
In this quote, Hemingway, who had firsthand experience in World War I and served as a war correspondent during the Spanish Civil War, expresses his deep disillusionment with war. Having witnessed the devastation, suffering, and senseless loss of life that war causes, he speaks about how war, in his view, is not just a tragic necessity but a morally reprehensible method of resolving conflicts. He acknowledges that his understanding of war is based on personal experience, and this gives his condemnation of it a sense of authority and sincerity. Hemingway argues that war, through its universal destructiveness, harms both sides involved—making it ultimately ineffective as a means of resolving disputes. His call for the abolition of war stems from his belief that its brutality and the toll it takes on humanity outweigh any supposed benefits.
Hemingway’s experiences in war shaped his worldview, and this quote reflects his evolving thoughts on its futility. His early works, like A Farewell to Arms, depict the tragic consequences of war, showing how it damages not only the bodies of soldiers but also their minds and spirits. His characters often struggle with the absurdity and pointlessness of violence. Hemingway’s advocacy for peace in this quote aligns with his later work, where he moved from being a war correspondent to becoming more vocal in his opposition to conflict. He saw the human costs of war firsthand, and it led him to believe that no dispute, no matter how great, could justify the destruction that war inevitably brings.
In the modern context, this quote resonates strongly with ongoing discussions about the ethics of war and the human toll of military conflict. In today’s world, the destructive nature of modern warfare—with its advanced technology, widespread casualties, and lasting psychological effects—makes Hemingway’s thoughts more relevant than ever. This quote serves as a powerful reminder of the necessity to find alternatives to war in settling conflicts, emphasizing diplomacy, negotiation, and peacebuilding over violent confrontation. Hemingway’s call for the abolition of war echoes the broader humanitarian and peace advocacy movements that strive for a world where conflicts are resolved through dialogue and mutual understanding, rather than destruction.
