11 Hemingway Quotes Every Young Man Should Memorize, Live By And Breathe

Everyone knows the name Hemingway. Who Hemingway really is, however, is often a hazier topic.

Hemingway was a writer, I hope people know this. But, Hemingway was also one of the most badass dudes ever to walk this earth.

He's was war vet. He took time safariing in Africa. He had four wives, and three kids. It's hard to argue that this man, undoubtedly, saw a lot of sh*t in his day.

Outside of writing some of the most influential pieces of literature known to man, Hemingway also had accumulated a long list of "quotable" sayings over his 61 years. Of these quotes, many are still poignant today.

Here are the top 10 Hemingway quotes that every young man should memorize, live and breathe, today.

"The first draft of anything is sh*t."

That's why it's your first draft, and not your "last" or "only" one – at least, don't let it be. First times, in general, are for learning, not mastery.

Keep the positives, scribble a red line through the negatives and grow from your "first drafts" regarding life matters.

"The shortest answer is doing the thing."

If you think you have a chance at a girl. Say something. If you were wrong, at least the guessing game is finally over. If you think you might have a chance with some specific job, go for it.

Sitting around wondering will only lead to failure, or worse, nowhere at all.

"Never go on trips with anyone you don't love."

This is one of Hemingway's truer lessons. Before you try to impress a girl by inviting her to your buddy's house in the Hamptons for the weekend, think again.

Unless you love someone, and can enjoy silence with her, don't invite her for weekend, or God forbid longer, excursions. Ever. Just don't.

"No one you love is ever truly lost."

People you love will come and go, but their impact will stay with you forever. Whether it be a family member who raised you or a girl you once loved, the impact that love makes on you no matter how big or strong will show up forever.

"The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places."

Nobody skates through life unscathed and, at some point, you are bound to hit a rough patch.

By coping with and overcoming a certain hardship, you will find yourself stronger and better suited to prevail from future problems.

"Develop a built-in bullsh*t detector."

As you get older, sadly, you realize more and more of what you see on a daily basis is straight up bull. Learn to read between the lines, and moreover, filter out the bullsh*t.

There are as many fabricated résumés on Wall Street as there are fake Jordans on the subways.

"Wine is the most civilized thing in the world."

Although not every man must be a wine connoisseur and swish his glass of merlot before every meal, it is important to see that elegance of the drink.

It's one of the few drinks that bears an important social context far past its ability to slur the drinker's speech.

"I drink to make other people more amusing."

Family outings, meet-ups with an old group of friends, first dates – sometimes alcohol is not wanted, but necessary.

Being socially lubricated is never a bad thing, just make sure you keep yourself within the boundaries of social acceptability, too.

"God knows I didn't mean to fall in love with her."

Yeah, clearly. But you did anyway. Almost every man will have that one girl he regrets loving, yet can't do anything about. It's fine. The first step to recovery is admitting that you have a problem...

"The best way to find out if you can trust someone is to trust them."

It ain't always easy, and it certainly ain't always pain-free, but trusting something usually follows a trial-and-error procedure.

Although you will encounter many "errors," the few who will continuously prove themselves trustworthy will always outweigh their counterparts, despite the numbers.

"When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen."

If someone is taking the time and effort to tell you something, the least you can do is devote the time and effort to listening to what it is.

Although people who can tell you all sorts of neat sh*t are great, it's even better when you find someone who is willing to listen.

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