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1954 Nobel Acceptance Speech Lyrics by Ernest Hemingway

Nobel Lectures

1945

Having no facility for speech-making and no command of oratory nor any domination of rhetoric, I wish to thank the administrators of the generosity of Alfred Nobel for this Prize.
No writer who knows the great writers who did not receive the Prize can accept it other than with humility. There is no need to list these writers. Everyone here may make his own list according to his knowledge and his conscience.
It would be impossible for me to ask the Ambassador of my country to read a speech in which a writer said all of the things which are in his heart. Things may not be immediately discernible in what a man writes, and in this sometimes he is fortunate; but eventually they are quite clear and by these and the degree of alchemy that he possesses he will endure or be forgotten.
Writing, at its best, is a lonely life. Organizations for writers palliate the writer's loneliness but I doubt if they improve his writing. He grows in public stature as he sheds his loneliness and often his work deteriorates. For he does his work alone and if he is a good enough writer he must face eternity, or the lack of it, each day.
For a true writer each book should be a new beginning where he tries again for something that is beyond attainment. He should always try for something that has never been done or that others have tried and failed. Then sometimes, with great luck, he will succeed.
How simple the writing of literature would be if it were only necessary to write in another way what has been well written. It is because we have had such great writers in the past that a writer is driven far out past where he can go, out to where no one can help him.
I have spoken too long for a writer. A writer should write what he has to say and not speak it. Again I thank you.
Credits
Ernest Hemingway

Ernest Hemingway

About “1954 Nobel Acceptance Speech” by Ernest Hemingway

Read the complete lyrics to "1954 Nobel Acceptance Speech" by Ernest Hemingway from the album "Nobel Lectures" in 1945. On Lyrks you can follow along with the full text, explore the artist's discography, and discover related songs. The track is often categorized under Speeches, Non-Music, History.

"1954 Nobel Acceptance Speech" is performed by Ernest Hemingway. from the album "Nobel Lectures" in 1945 This page provides the full lyric text for fans who want to sing along, study the songwriting, or compare versions across releases. Lyrks organizes lyrics by artist and song slug so you can bookmark and share a stable URL. Music lyrics help listeners connect with emotion, narrative, and rhythm in a track. Whether you are learning English, researching a favorite chorus, or preparing for karaoke, having accurate line breaks and section labels (verse, chorus, bridge) makes the experience easier. We link to the official artist profile on Lyrks where available, including biography snippets, top songs, and chart placements when we have that data. If you enjoy "1954 Nobel Acceptance Speech", explore more songs by Ernest Hemingway using the links below. Chart and trending pages on Lyrks highlight what listeners are searching for this week. For copyright or correction requests, see our DMCA and contact pages.

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Frequently asked questions

"1954 Nobel Acceptance Speech" is credited to Ernest Hemingway. Songwriting credits may include additional writers listed on the release; check the credits section on this page for linked collaborators.

"1954 Nobel Acceptance Speech" appears on "Nobel Lectures" in 1945.

Visit the Ernest Hemingway artist page at /artist/ernest-hemingway for biography, popular tracks, and links to more lyric pages.