Life

" Enjoying living was learning to get your money's worth and knowing when you had it." (pg. 152)

In this book, my favorite chapters are the short ones where it is just Jake thinking quietly to himself. He comes up with some great philosophies. Maybe it is just because I love quotes, but I think he makes some very valid points in these chapters. I think here he is saying that one can fully enjoy life when they learn not to settle for less but also not to keep pursuing something when they are as far as they need to be. I have always been a believer in the theory of "a happy medium." Here, I believe Jake is trying to drive that point home.

Finding something's happy medium is all about balance. I think most people would agree that balance is something that everyone strives to find in their life. It is apparent that Hemingway didn't think these people had balance whatsoever.

Anyways, I do believe that this quote from Jake can be considered timeless and universal. People all over the world from every century have been trying to master a way to reach a happy medium in life but not push past it. After all, aren't we all just trying to enjoy life?

Live Life to the Fullest

" Nobody ever lives their life all the way up except bull-fighters." (pg. 18)

How does one live their life all the way up? I think that is something everyone wants to know how to do. For centuries, people have been creating "Bucket Lists" to try to attempt to conquer everything they want to before their time on earth is up. Regret is one feeling that nobody wants to have to hold in their heart, so everyone is always encouraged to try something new and "Live life to the fullest!" Everyone wants to accomplish this trite saying, but is it possible for someone to actually do it?

During this lost generation, I am sure nobody really felt they were living their life to its potential. Anyone who has read this book would probably agree with this. How can one live their life to the fullest when all they do is drink alcoholic beverages, eat, and find company with friends. Even if they were living their life all the way up, there is no possible way they would ever remember it.