22 Essential Quotes from The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

Last updated on Jul 23rd, 2023

22 Essential Quotes from The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

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.

I try not to borrow. First you borrow. Then you beg. - Ernest Hemingway (The Old Man and the Sea Quotes)
1

I try not to borrow. First you borrow. Then you beg.(Charles Scribner's Sons, ed. 1952), Page 19

Anyone can be a fisherman in May. - Ernest Hemingway (The Old Man and the Sea Quotes)
2

Anyone can be a fisherman in May.(Charles Scribner's Sons, ed. 1952), Page 19

There are many good fishermen and some great ones. But there is only you. - Ernest Hemingway (The Old Man and the Sea Quotes)
3

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." - Ernest Hemingway (The Old Man and the Sea Quotes)
4

“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. - Ernest Hemingway (The Old Man and the Sea Quotes)
5

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

My big fish must be somewhere. - Ernest Hemingway (The Old Man and the Sea Quotes)
6

My big fish must be somewhere.(Charles Scribner's Sons, ed. 1952), Page 38

I hate a cramp. It is a treachery of one's own body. - Ernest Hemingway (The Old Man and the Sea Quotes)
7

I hate a cramp. It is a treachery of one’s own body.(Charles Scribner's Sons, ed. 1952), Page 42

Now is the time to think of only one thing. That which I was born for. - Ernest Hemingway (The Old Man and the Sea Quotes)
8

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. - Ernest Hemingway (The Old Man and the Sea Quotes)
9

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. - Ernest Hemingway (The Old Man and the Sea Quotes)
10

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

No one should be alone in their old age. - Ernest Hemingway (The Old Man and the Sea Quotes)
11

No one should be alone in their old age.(Charles Scribner's Sons, ed. 1952), Page 53

Find more about The Old Man and the Sea

Let him think I am more man than I am and I will be so. - Ernest Hemingway (The Old Man and the Sea Quotes)
12

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. - Ernest Hemingway (The Old Man and the Sea Quotes)
13

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

Pain does not matter to a man. - Ernest Hemingway (The Old Man and the Sea Quotes)
14

Pain does not matter to a man.(Charles Scribner's Sons, ed. 1952), Page 93

A man is never lost at sea and it is a long island. - Ernest Hemingway (The Old Man and the Sea Quotes)
15

A man is never lost at sea and it is a long island.(Charles Scribner's Sons, ed. 1952), Page 99

Fish, you are going to have to die anyway. Do you have to kill me too? - Ernest Hemingway (The Old Man and the Sea Quotes)
16

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. - Ernest Hemingway (The Old Man and the Sea Quotes)
17

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. - Ernest Hemingway (The Old Man and the Sea Quotes)
18

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? - Ernest Hemingway (The Old Man and the Sea Quotes)
19

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. - Ernest Hemingway (The Old Man and the Sea Quotes)
20

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? - Ernest Hemingway (The Old Man and the Sea Quotes)
21

Luck is a thing that comes in many forms and who can recognize her? (Charles Scribner's Sons, ed. 1952), Page 129

The hell with luck. I'll bring the luck with me. - Ernest Hemingway (The Old Man and the Sea Quotes)
22

The hell with luck. I’ll bring the luck with me.(Charles Scribner's Sons, ed. 1952), Page 137