“As you get older it is harder to have heroes, but it is sort of necessary.”
- 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
“As you get older it is harder to have heroes, but it is sort of necessary.”
Explanation
In this quote, Hemingway reflects on the changing nature of heroism as we grow older. As children, we often have clear, idealized heroes—figures who inspire us with their courage, virtue, or great deeds. However, as we age and experience the complexities of life, it becomes more difficult to maintain those same idealized views. We begin to see that heroes, like everyone else, are flawed and human. Despite this, Hemingway suggests that having heroes remains important as we grow older. Heroes serve as a source of inspiration, reminding us of values like courage, integrity, or purpose that we may need to cling to as we navigate the challenges of life.
Hemingway himself had a complex relationship with heroism, often exploring it in his writing. His characters, such as Santiago in The Old Man and the Sea or Robert Jordan in For Whom the Bell Tolls, are deeply human and flawed, yet they embody a form of heroism grounded in personal struggle, endurance, and sacrifice. Hemingway’s heroes are not perfect, but they represent ideals that are deeply meaningful—such as honor, persistence, and self-reliance. This quote may reflect Hemingway’s own desire to find meaning and inspiration in life, even as the idealized vision of heroes becomes more difficult to hold onto with age.
In the modern context, this quote speaks to the importance of role models and inspiration as we face the complexities and disillusionments of adulthood. As we grow older, we may become more skeptical or aware of the flaws in the people we admire, yet the need for heroes—whether in the form of public figures, mentors, or personal ideals—remains. Having heroes offers a guiding moral compass, a reminder of what is worth striving for, and the ability to see potential in ourselves, even in the face of life’s challenges. Hemingway’s quote suggests that heroism doesn’t have to be about perfection; it can be about recognizing the greatness in people and ideals that inspire us to keep going, even when the world seems less simple.
