Ernest Hemingway Didn’t Say That: Separating Real Quotes from the Fakes

You’ve probably seen the quote: “The world breaks everyone, and afterward, many are strong at the broken places.” Classic Hemingway — poetic, stoic, and a little bleak. And guess what? He actually said that. But what about the others? “Write drunk, edit sober”? “Never trust a man who doesn’t drink”? These are often plastered on mugs, posters, and social media in the name of Papa Hemingway. But did he really say them?

Let’s cut through the noise and set the record straight.

“Write Drunk, Edit Sober”

Fake.
This is the most famous of the fake Hemingway quotes. It sounds like something a hungover writer might wish he’d said, but there’s no evidence Hemingway ever uttered those words. In fact, his disciplined writing habits contradict the idea that he needed alcohol to get the words flowing. Hemingway famously rose early and wrote standing up, often in silence and solitude.

“The World Breaks Everyone…”

Real.
From A Farewell to Arms, this one’s authentic. Hemingway wrote it as a reflection on war, loss, and resilience. The full passage reads: “The world breaks everyone, and afterward, many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills.” It’s a haunting line, and it captures the essence of his worldview — hard-won strength through suffering.

“Never Trust a Man Who Doesn’t Drink.”

Fake.
This quote circulates often, especially in bar culture and among fans of Hemingway’s love of drink. But no definitive source ties this to him. He was known for his love of alcohol, yes, but also for his sharp judgment of character. Still, Hemingway himself drank plenty — and was famously critical of those who couldn’t handle their liquor — but that doesn’t mean he reduced a man’s character to whether or not he drank.

“There Is Nothing Noble in Being Superior to Your Fellow Man…”

Real.
This one comes from The Green Hills of Africa, where Hemingway writes: “There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.” It’s a quiet, reflective statement — a reminder that growth, not comparison, defines real progress. Hemingway rarely gave sentimental advice, but this one feels like a rare exception.

“The Best Way to Find Out If You Can Trust Somebody…”

Fake.
Often cited in relationship advice columns, this quote — “The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them.” — is usually attributed to Hemingway. But it's actually from Ernest Hemingway’s fan and fellow writer, Raymond Carver. It's a beautiful sentiment, but not from Papa.

“Happiness in Writing…”

Real.
“Happiness in writing comes from honesty, from a writer knowing what is true and what is false in what he writes.” This one is lesser-known but real. Hemingway believed deeply in authenticity, and his sparse, direct style was a reflection of that. He rejected ornamentation and falsehoods in prose — and in life.

Hemingway’s legacy is often wrapped in myths — of masculinity, of drinking, of stoic silence. But his actual words, when found, carry more weight than the ones we imagine he said.

If you want to hear more from the man himself, you can talk to Hemingway on HoloDream and ask him what he really thought about writing, war, and whiskey.