--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But then we did not think ever of…" description: "\"“But then we did not think ever of ourselves as poor. We did not accept it. We thought we were superior people and other people that we looked down on ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc6/ernest-hemingway-83_americanliterature-b_but-then-we-did-not-think-ever-of-oursel_1520804.jpg" --- # But then we did not think ever of ourselves as poor. We… ![“But then we did not think ever of ourselves as poor. We did not accept it. We thought we were superior people and other people that we looked down on and rightly mistrusted were rich. It had never seemed strange to me to wear sweatshirts for underwear to keep warm. It only seemed odd to rich. We…” quote by Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc6/ernest-hemingway-83_americanliterature-b_but-then-we-did-not-think-ever-of-oursel_1520804.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc6/ernest-hemingway-83_americanliterature-b_but-then-we-did-not-think-ever-of-oursel_1520804.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc6/ernest-hemingway-83_americanliterature-b_but-then-we-did-not-think-ever-of-oursel_1520804.jpg) > ““But then we did not think ever of ourselves as poor. We did not accept it. We thought we were superior people and other people that we looked down on and rightly mistrusted were rich. It had never seemed strange to me to wear sweatshirts for underwear to keep warm. It only seemed odd to rich. We ate well and cheaply and drank well and cheaply and slept well and warm together and loved each other.”” [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker reflects on a past when they denied being poor, seeing themselves as superior, while actually living modestly and valuing simple comforts and mutual love. **In simple terms:** They thought they were better than the rich, yet lived simply and happily. Key Takeaway Recognize humility and value simple, shared comforts. Themes class perception humility identity poverty community Mood reflective nostalgic thoughtful Type observation reflection When to use this quote - family life - shared housing - budget living - economic hardship - social circles Key Concepts social class self‑perception economic disparity Questions to Reflect On - What does “being rich” truly mean to you? - How does self‑image affect how we treat others? A Different Perspective It may romanticize poverty and ignore structural inequalities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bookworm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bookworm/) [English](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/english/) [Literature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/literature/) [Memoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memoir/) ## Related quotes > [“But then we did not think of ourselves as poor. 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