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Loneliness Quote by Ernest Hemingway

“That night at the hotel, in our room with the long empty hall outside and our shoes outside the door, a thick carpet on the floor of the room, outside the windows the rain falling and in the room light and pleasant and cheerful, then the light out and it exciting with smooth sheets and the bed…” quote by Ernest Hemingway
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““That night at the hotel, in our room with the long empty hall outside and our shoes outside the door, a thick carpet on the floor of the room, outside the windows the rain falling and in the room light and pleasant and cheerful, then the light out and it exciting with smooth sheets and the bed comfortable, feeling that we had come home, feeling no longer alone, waking in the night to find the other one there, and not gone away; all other things were unreal. We slept when we were tired and if we woke the other one woke too so one was not alone. Often a man wishes to be alone and a girl wishes to be alone too and if they love each other they are jealous of that in each other, but I can truly say we never felt that. We could feel alone when we were together, alone against the others ... But we were never lonely and never afraid when we were together. I know that the night is not the same as the day: that all things are different, that the things of the night cannot be explained in the day, because they do not then exist, and the night can be a dreadful time for lonely people once their loneliness has started. But with Catherine there was almost no difference in the night except that it was an even better time. If people bring so much courage to the world the world has to kill them to break them, so of course it kills them. The world breaks every one and afterward many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially. If you are none of these you can be sure it will kill you too but there will be no special hurry.””

Ernest Hemingway

About This Quote

The passage explores intimate companionship that transcends loneliness, contrasting night’s isolation with the comfort of shared presence, and reflects on how the world can break or strengthen individuals.

In simple terms: Shared presence eases loneliness and fear.

Key Takeaway

Cherish deep connections, resist isolation.

Themes

intimacy loneliness human connection

Mood

contemplative melancholic

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • relationships
  • nighttime anxiety
  • personal growth
  • coping strategies

Key Concepts

psychology existentialism resilience

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does true companionship mean to you?
  • How do you confront loneliness in solitary moments?
A Different Perspective

Idealized description may overlook complexities of relationships.

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