“A writer of fiction is really… a congenital liar who invents from his own knowledge or that of other men.”
- 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
“A writer of fiction is really… a congenital liar who invents from his own knowledge or that of other men.”
Explanation
In this quote, Hemingway humorously and self-deprecatingly reflects on the nature of a fiction writer’s work. By calling a writer a “congenital liar,” he acknowledges that fiction writing involves inventing stories that are not true in the literal sense. However, these inventions are rooted in the writer’s own knowledge, experiences, and observations, as well as those of others. The “lie” in this context does not imply malicious deceit, but rather the creative liberty a writer takes in crafting stories, characters, and worlds that may not exist in reality but feel authentic and meaningful. Writers of fiction, according to Hemingway, must be skilled liars, drawing from their own truths—whether personal or learned from the world around them—and weaving them into compelling narratives.
Hemingway himself was known for drawing deeply from his own life experiences, such as his time in war, his travels, and his observations of human nature, to create vivid, often semi-autobiographical stories. In his works, such as A Farewell to Arms and The Sun Also Rises, Hemingway created fictional worlds that were steeped in emotional truth and real human experience, even though the stories themselves were imagined. The “lie” of fiction, for Hemingway, was less about falsehood and more about artistic creation—using imagination to distill and explore real emotions, situations, and ideas.
In the modern context, this quote underscores the power of fiction as a form of truth-telling through imagination. Writers, artists, and creators often use their craft to convey universal truths or insights about the world, even if they are not literal representations. The quote invites readers to consider the value of fiction not only as entertainment but also as a form of expression that explores the complexities of life. It also speaks to the freedom that fiction offers—allowing writers to invent and create new realities while still remaining rooted in authentic human experiences.
