But to the fighting soldier that phase of the war is behind. It was left behind after his first battle. His blood is up. He is fighting for his life, and killing now for him is as much a profession as writing is for me.
Ernie PyleRead
In their eyes as they pass is not hatred, not excitement, not despair, not the tonic of their victory - there is just the simple expression of being here as though they had been here doing this forever, and nothing else.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects a deep appreciation for the simplicity and continuity of existence.
In this quote, Ernie Pyle captures the essence of human experience in the midst of tumultuous times. He suggests that despite the chaos and emotions that often accompany human endeavors, there exists a profound simplicity in just being present and engaged in life. The imagery of individuals passing by, devoid of intense feelings, emphasizes a shared, timeless essence of existence that transcends victory or defeat, highlighting the beauty of the mundane moments that define our lives.
Themes
PresenceExistenceSimplicityTimelessnessLife
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about resilience, one might quote this to illustrate the importance of simply being present during challenging times.
More from Ernie Pyle
All quotes βFor me war has become a flat, black depression without highlights, a revulsion of the mind and an exhaustion of the spirit.
Ernie PyleRead
Similar quotes
In life, you can blame a lot of people and you can wallow in self-pity or you can pick yourself up and say listen, I have to be responsible for myself.
Howard SchultzRead
It's hard enough to write a good drama, it's much harder to write a good comedy, and it's hardest of all to write a drama with comedy. Which is what life is.
Jack LemmonRead
The sudden disappointment of a hope leaves a scar which the ultimate fulfillment of that hope never entirely removes.
Thomas HardyRead
I was thinking about how fleeting and precious life is. Life is also arbitrary. For example, the choices that you make, the luck of being born into the right bed, to parents who support and help you and who love you. That doesn't always happen - and then, what happens when it doesn't?
Mary Ellen MarkRead
Our 'mistakes' become our crucial parts, sometimes our best parts, of the lives we have made.
Ellen GoodmanRead
The unexpected has happened so continually in my life that it has ceased to deserve the name.
Arthur Conan DoyleRead