Quote 34
"I may not be as strong as I think," the old man said. "But I know many tricks and I have resolution." (1.139)
The old man relies on skill rather than brute strength.
Quote 35
But, he thought, I keep them with precision. Only I have no luck any more. But who knows? Maybe today. 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. (2.29)
The old man believes that skill is more important than luck, but later makes decisions based on what he believes to be lucky or unlucky.
Quote 36
He had no mysticism about turtles although he had gone in turtle boats for many years. He was sorry for them all, even the great trunk backs that were as long as the skiff and weighed a ton. Most people are heartless about turtles because a turtle’s heart will beat for hours after he has been cut up and butchered. But the old man thought, I have such a heart too and my feet and hands are like theirs. He ate the white eggs to give himself strength. He ate them all through May to be strong in September and October for the truly big fish. (2.45)
The old man does not hunger for food as normal people; rather, he only uses food as a means to an end: strength.