A.E. Hotchner—novelist, playwright, and the trusted confidant of Ernest Hemingway—crafted a literary legacy rich with insight, wit, and humanity. From his Depression-era memoir King of the Hill to the intimate Papa Hemingway, Hotchner’s words offer a glimpse into the lives of legends and the heart of a man who lived fully and wrote boldly.
15 A.E. Hotchner Quotes
1. “Of course we all have our limits, but how can you possibly find your boundaries unless you explore as far and as wide as you possibly can?”
2. “I would rather fail in an attempt at something new and uncharted than safely succeed in a repeat of something I have done.”
3. “Why is it parents think they help their kids by pretending things are better than they are?”
4. “When I first wrote ‘Papa Hemingway,’ there were too many people still alive, and the lawyers for Random House didn’t want to OK it.”
5. “We think of stars as celestial beings. And once in a while, they smile at us from the pages of ‘People’ magazine.”
6. “From the time I read my first Hemingway work, The Sun Also Rises, as a student at Soldan High School in St. Louis, I was struck with an affliction common to my generation: Hemingway Awe.”
7. “There are bullfighters who do it just for the money—they are worthless. The only one who matters is the bullfighter who feels it, so that if he did it for nothing, he would do it just as well. Same holds true for damn near everyone.”
8. “Don’t do what you sincerely don’t want to do. Never confuse movement with action.”
9. “Ernest had had it right: Man is not made for defeat. Man can be destroyed but not defeated.”
10. “Look, it doesn’t matter that I don’t write for a day or a year or ten years as long as the knowledge that I can write is solid inside me. But a day without that knowledge, or not being sure of it, is eternity.”
11. “What do you think happens to a man going on sixty-two when he realizes that he can never write the books and stories he promised himself? Or do any of the other things he promised himself in the good days?”
12. “You can have true affection for only a few things in your life, and by getting rid of material things, I make sure I won’t waste mine on something that can’t feel my affection.”
13. “Listen, Hotch, whatever happens, whatever … she’s good and strong, but remember sometimes the strongest of women need help.”
14. “Ernest Hemingway was always uneasy in New York and liked being there less than in any other city he frequented.”
15. “Each day was a challenge of enjoyment, and he [Hemingway] would plan it out as a field general plans a campaign.”
A.E. Hotchner’s reflections traverse the landscapes of friendship, creativity, and the human spirit. His words continue to inspire those who seek depth, authenticity, and a life well-lived.
Which of these quotes resonates with you? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s celebrate the enduring wisdom of A.E. Hotchner together.
Emma Thompson
Hi, I'm Emma Thompson, founder of MyLittleDesire. I share relationship advice, love quotes, and thoughtful gift ideas to help you express your feelings and strengthen your bonds. Let's celebrate love together!
Email – business@mylittledesire.com
