The remark contrasts luck with preparation. Santiago accepts that favourable circumstances cannot be controlled, but he believes skill and precision can be. To be “exact” is to work carefully, apply experience and prepare properly, so that an opportunity is not wasted when chance finally turns in his favour. Luck may influence the outcome, but readiness determines how effectively a person can respond to it.

In The Old Man and the Sea, this attitude reflects Santiago’s disciplined approach to fishing despite his long period without a catch. He does not deny the role of chance, yet he refuses to depend upon it. The line therefore combines hope with practical self-reliance. Its broader meaning is that uncertain outcomes are best met through preparation rather than expectation alone: people cannot guarantee good fortune, but they can improve their ability to make use of favourable circumstances when they arise.