“Actually if a writer needs a dictionary he should not write. He should have read the dictionary at least three times from beginning to end and then have loaned it to someone who needs it. There are only certain words which are valid and similes (bring me my dictionary) are like defective ammunition (the lowest thing I can think of at this time).”
Cite this quote
APA
Hemingway, E. (n.d.). Actually if a writer needs a dictionary he should not write. He should have read the dictionary at least three times from beginning to end and then have loaned it to someone who needs it. There are only certain words which are valid and similes (bring me my dictionary) are like defective ammunition (the lowest thing I can think of at this time). [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/13479-actually-if-a-writer-needs-a-dictionary-he/
MLA
Hemingway, Ernest. “Actually if a writer needs a dictionary he should not write. He should have read the dictionary at least three times from beginning to end and then have loaned it to someone who needs it. There are only certain words which are valid and similes (bring me my dictionary) are like defective ammunition (the lowest thing I can think of at this time).” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/13479-actually-if-a-writer-needs-a-dictionary-he/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.
Chicago
Hemingway, Ernest. “Actually if a writer needs a dictionary he should not write. He should have read the dictionary at least three times from beginning to end and then have loaned it to someone who needs it. There are only certain words which are valid and similes (bring me my dictionary) are like defective ammunition (the lowest thing I can think of at this time).” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/13479-actually-if-a-writer-needs-a-dictionary-he/.