Emptiness Quote by Ernest Hemingway
“By then I knew that everything good and bad left an emptiness when it stopped. But if it was bad, the emptiness filled up by itself. If it was good you could only fill it by finding something better.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway, 1926
When experiences end, they leave a void; bad experiences self‑heal, while good ones demand new pursuits to fill the gap.
In simple terms: Endings create emptiness; bad fades, good needs replacement.
Key Takeaway
Seek new meaning after success.
Themes
loss
fulfillment
growth
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- career transition
- relationship breakup
- creative block
- personal achievement
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What can you pursue to replace a recent success?
- How do you cope with the void after a negative event?
A Different Perspective
Goodness can lead to dissatisfaction if not followed by deeper goals.
