“All things truly wicked start from innocence.”
- 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
Quote
“All things truly wicked start from innocence.”
Explanation
In this quote, Hemingway suggests that wickedness or corruption does not arise from evil intent, but often from a place of innocence—a lack of understanding or awareness. The quote implies that wrongdoing or immorality can begin when something is initially harmless or pure, and over time, through misunderstanding, neglect, or the corrupting influence of the world, it can evolve into something harmful or destructive. Hemingway might be drawing attention to the gradual nature of moral decay, where small, seemingly innocent actions or ideas can snowball into more significant moral failings.
This theme of innocence turning into something darker is often present in Hemingway’s works, where characters who start with noble intentions or simple desires often find themselves involved in complex, morally ambiguous situations. For instance, in The Sun Also Rises, the characters, who are initially seeking freedom and meaning in a post-war world, become entangled in destructive behaviors like drunkenness, infidelity, and aimlessness. Hemingway’s quote highlights that moral corruption is often a slow process, beginning from innocent or even well-meaning origins.
In the modern context, this quote can be applied to the complexities of human behavior and the ways in which societal pressures, personal desires, or unquestioned beliefs can lead to wickedness or harmful behavior. Whether on a personal or societal scale, it suggests that corruption is often a product of ignorance or lack of reflection at first, and as time goes on, this initial innocence can lead to more destructive outcomes. Hemingway’s words serve as a reminder that we must be aware of the small, innocent actions that can grow into larger moral issues and emphasize the importance of staying mindful of our decisions and values.
