Ernest Hemingway (1899–1961) was an American novelist, short-story writer, and journalist whose spare, direct style helped define modern literature. His best-known works include *The Sun Also Rises*, *A Farewell to Arms*, and *The Old Man and the Sea*. This saying is widely attributed to Hemingway, but its source is uncertain: no dependable citation ties the wording to a specific book, letter, or speech. It is best treated as a popular attribution rather than a verified Hemingway quotation.
The idea turns the usual measure of success inward. Being smarter, richer, or more accomplished than someone else can offer a fleeting sense of status, but it does not necessarily mean we have grown. The quote instead points to progress against our own past habits: becoming more patient, courageous, honest, or capable than we once were. That comparison can be demanding, yet it is also fairer and more useful than constantly measuring ourselves against other people. The sentiment resonates because it makes ambition less about winning a contest and more about becoming someone we respect.