“There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never care for anything else thereafter.”
- 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
“There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never care for anything else thereafter.”
Explanation
In this quote, Hemingway explores the dark allure and addictive nature of violence and combat, particularly the act of hunting other people in a war or conflict. He suggests that there is a unique, almost primal thrill that comes from hunting or fighting other human beings—a rush of adrenaline and a sense of power or mastery that can be difficult to shake once experienced. The quote also reflects the psychological toll that such experiences can have: once someone has tasted the intense focus and danger of fighting or hunting armed men, they may find it impossible to return to a life of peace or normalcy. The line hints at how war and violence can deeply affect those involved, stripping them of their previous understanding of humanity and leaving them addicted to the rush of violence.
Hemingway’s own experiences as an ambulance driver in World War I and later as a war correspondent during the Spanish Civil War influenced his understanding of war’s dehumanizing effects. In novels like For Whom the Bell Tolls and A Farewell to Arms, Hemingway portrays characters who are altered by war—their lives forever shaped by the violence they’ve witnessed or been part of. The quote suggests that combat or killing in war is not just a physical act, but a deeply psychological experience that can fundamentally change a person’s identity. Once someone becomes accustomed to the high stakes and intensity of such experiences, they may struggle to return to normal life, where the thrill or rush of combat no longer exists.
In the modern context, this quote resonates with the psychological impact of war, particularly the trauma experienced by soldiers and combat veterans. It speaks to the addictive nature of violence and the way that exposure to extreme situations can warp a person’s sense of self and purpose. The quote also brings attention to the long-lasting consequences of war on the human psyche, where the memories and emotional scars can linger long after the physical battles have ended. It serves as a stark reminder of the costs of violence and the deep, lasting impact that war has on those who fight in it.
