“In modern war… you will die like a dog for no good reason.”
- 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
“In modern war… you will die like a dog for no good reason.”
Explanation
In this quote, Hemingway starkly critiques the senselessness and futility of modern war, highlighting the pointlessness of death in such conflicts. He suggests that, unlike the romanticized or idealized versions of war in earlier times, modern war results in death without meaning or justification. The phrase “you will die like a dog” reflects the dehumanizing aspect of war, where soldiers are treated as expendable, and their deaths are often the result of arbitrary or political motivations rather than noble causes. By likening the death to that of a dog, Hemingway emphasizes the lack of dignity or purpose in dying for a war that doesn’t offer a clear moral justification.
Hemingway’s own experiences in World War I and as a war correspondent during the Spanish Civil War deeply shaped his views on the brutality of conflict. His novels, like A Farewell to Arms and For Whom the Bell Tolls, illustrate the tragic consequences of war, where soldiers are often caught in situations where the reasons for fighting seem distant or meaningless compared to the reality of death and suffering. Hemingway’s perspective, reflected in this quote, suggests that war strips away the romanticized notions of heroism and glory, replacing them with a more bleak and honest view of the human cost of conflict.
In the modern context, this quote remains relevant in discussions about the ethics of war and the psychological toll on soldiers. Whether in the context of military interventions, civil wars, or ongoing global conflicts, Hemingway’s critique underscores the human cost of war, reminding us that the loss of life in modern warfare often feels arbitrary, and the reasons behind the conflict may never be truly justified. The quote invites reflection on the meaninglessness of war when viewed from the perspective of the individual soldier, whose life and death are sometimes determined by forces far beyond their control or understanding.
