“The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them.”

Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway quotes
  • 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

“The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them.”

Explanation

In this quote, Hemingway highlights the power of vulnerability and action in building trust. He suggests that the only true way to determine if someone is trustworthy is by giving them your trust. This approach requires a leap of faith, as trust cannot be fully verified through observation alone. Instead, it is earned through experience—by trusting someone and observing how they respond to that trust, you reveal whether they are worthy of it. Hemingway’s emphasis on trusting first rather than waiting for someone to prove their trustworthiness reflects his belief that relationships, whether personal or professional, are based on mutual respect and faith.

Hemingway’s own relationships, both with friends and lovers, were complex and often fraught with tension, but they also showed his belief in the necessity of emotional openness. His characters often navigate the difficult terrain of trust and betrayal, struggling with their own vulnerabilities in a world that can be both cruel and unpredictable. For instance, in A Farewell to Arms, the relationships between characters are tested by the harsh realities of war, yet trust becomes an essential bond that helps them navigate their trials. Hemingway seems to suggest that trust is a two-way street, requiring both individuals to take the risk of believing in each other, even if the outcome is uncertain.

In the modern context, this quote is especially relevant in a world where trust is often in short supply, and relationships can be clouded by doubt and misunderstanding. Whether in personal relationships, business dealings, or public life, the tendency to guard oneself against betrayal can prevent meaningful connections. Hemingway’s quote encourages us to take the risk of trusting others as a way to build stronger, more authentic relationships. It also serves as a reminder that true trust is not built on caution or skepticism, but on the willingness to extend trust first and allow the other person to prove themselves worthy.


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