Rush, that most exciting perversion of life, the necessity of accomplishing something in less time than should be truly allowed for its doing.
Interpretation
Rush signifies the unnatural pressure to achieve quickly, robbing experiences of their essence.
In this quote, Hemingway critiques the modern obsession with speed and urgency, highlighting how the pressure to accomplish tasks in a rushed manner detracts from the true essence of life. By labeling this rush as a 'perversion,' he suggests that the quality of our experiences suffers when we prioritize quick results over taking the necessary time to fully engage with life and its moments.
In practice
Use this quote in a discussion about work-life balance at a corporate meeting.
He no longer dreamed of storms, nor of women, nor of great occurrences, nor of great fish, nor fights, nor contests of strength, nor of his wife. He only dreamed of places now and the lions on the beach. They played like young cats in the dusk and he loved them as he loved the boy. He never dreamed about the boy. He simply woke, looked out the open door at the moon and unrolled his trousers and put them on.
How did you go bankrupt?" Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly.
When you have shot one bird flying you have shot all birds flying. They are all different and they fly in different ways but the sensation is the same and the last one is as good as the first.
There is never any ending to Paris and the memory of each person who has lived in it differs from that of any other. We always returned to it no matter who we were or how it was changed or with what difficulties, or ease, it could be reached. Paris was always worth it and you received return for whatever you brought to it. But this is how Paris was in the early days when we were very poor and very happy.
Wine is the most civilized thing in the world.
There is no rule on how to write. Sometimes it comes easily and perfectly; sometimes it's like drilling rock and then blasting it out with charges.
Every generation must recognize and embrace the task it is peculiarly designed by history and by providence to perform.
What does it say about a society that it devotes more care and patience to the selection of those who handle its money than of those who handle its children?
Metaphors are our way of losing ourselves in semblances or treading water in a sea of seeming.
In foreign affairs we must make up our minds that whether we wish it or not, we are a great people and must play a great part in the world. It is not open to us to choose whether we will play that great part or not.
Charity depends on the vicissitudes of whim and personal wealth; justice depends on commitment instead of circumstance. Faith-based charity provides crumbs from the table; faith-based justice offers a place at the table.
Buy, buy, says the sign in the shop window; Why, why, says the junk in the yard.
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