A classic Hemingway quote

"The world breaks everyone 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, A Farewell to Arms

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I won't try to explain it but I think the phrase "the world" as used in this lovely quote means something other than "everything that is the case."

I think the sentiment is simultaneously Platonic and anti-Platonic. The world means "the cave." To be "broke" means to agree to take an interest in the trivial shadow-show on the wall of the cave. To "be brave" is to insist on searching for the light of the sky.

"The cave breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not watch the shadow show it kills. It kills the lovers of light, and those who care for heir fellow captives, and those who insist on finding the light of the sky all impartially. If you are none of these...."

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Jamesian Philosophy Refreshed

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