The old man's reflection on human existence versus nature's creatures signifies his recognition of the grandeur and resilience of nature, and a meditation on human limitations.
The old man's statement "Man is not much besides the great birds and the beasts" in The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway reflects on the inherent humility of human existence in comparison to the rest of nature.
This expression of humility is the old man's recognition of the grandeur and tenacity of nature's creatures, which surpass human abilities and endure despite hardships.
It's a meditation on human limitations and the old man's attempt to find his place within the natural world's hierarchy.