"I know only that what is moral is what you feel good after and what is immoral is what you feel bad after"
- Ernest Hemingway
About this Quote
This quote by Ernest Hemingway recommends that morality is subjective and based upon individual sensations. It indicates that what is moral for someone may not be moral for another. It likewise suggests that morality is based upon the effects of our actions. If we feel excellent after doing something, then it is most likely to be ethical, and if we feel bad after doing something, then it is likely to be unethical. This quote motivates us to think about the consequences of our actions and to think about how they will make us feel. It also motivates us to be mindful of our own ethical compass and to make decisions that line up with our own worths. Eventually, this quote motivates us to take obligation for our own actions and to make choices that will make us feel great in the long run.