The Old Man and the Sea is a 1952 novel by Ernest Hemingway written in 1951 in Cuba. It was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1953 and led to the Nobel Prize in Literature for Hemingway in 1954.
According to others, Ernest Hemingway changed the style of English prose more than any other writer in the twentieth century. Through this novel, his last major work of fiction, he showed most of his talent and tremendous narrative.
The Old Man and the Sea is the story of an old, experienced fisherman and his epic battle with a giant marlin, the biggest catch of his life.
If you still have not read the novel, perhaps now is the right time. Until then, enjoy these 22 profound quotes.
There are many good fishermen and some great ones. But there is only you.(Charles Scribner's Sons, ed. 1952), Page 25
“Age is my alarm clock,” the old man said. “Why do old men wake so early? Is it to have one longer day?” “I don’t know,” the boy said. “All I know is that young boys sleep late and hard.”(Charles Scribner's Sons, ed. 1952), Page 26
Every day is a new day. It is better to be lucky. But I would rather be exact. Then when luck comes you are ready.(Charles Scribner's Sons, ed. 1952), Page 36
Now is the time to think of only one thing. That which I was born for.(Charles Scribner's Sons, ed. 1952), Page 44
If the others heard me talking out loud they would think that I am crazy. But since I am not crazy, I do not care.(Charles Scribner's Sons, ed. 1952), Page 43
He did not say that because he knew that if you said a good thing it might not happen.(Charles Scribner's Sons, ed. 1952), Page 47
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Let him think I am more man than I am and I will be so.(Charles Scribner's Sons, ed. 1952), Page 71
It is good that we do not have to try to kill the sun or the moon or the stars. It is enough to live on the sea and kill our true brothers.(Charles Scribner's Sons, ed. 1952), Page 83
Fish, you are going to have to die anyway. Do you have to kill me too?(Charles Scribner's Sons, ed. 1952), Page 101
Keep your head clear and know how to suffer like a man.(Charles Scribner's Sons, ed. 1952), Page 102
Man is not made for defeat. A man can be destroyed but not defeated.(Charles Scribner's Sons, ed. 1952), Page 114
You did not kill the fish only to keep alive and to sell for food. You killed him for pride and because you are a fisherman. You loved him when he was alive and you loved him after. If you love him, it is not a sin to kill him. Or is it more?(Charles Scribner's Sons, ed. 1952), Page 116
Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is.(Charles Scribner's Sons, ed. 1952), Page 122
Luck is a thing that comes in many forms and who can recognize her? (Charles Scribner's Sons, ed. 1952), Page 129