How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
He works too much and too vigorously: he has not yet learnt our underground art of economizing on everything, on breath, movements, even thoughts. He does not yet know that it is better to be beaten, because one does not normally die of blows, but one does of exhaustion, and badly, and when one grows aware of it, it is already too late. (14.6)
Primo is talking about Kraus, the Hungarian prisoner who works way too hard and is in serious danger of dying from exhaustion. He doesn't yet understand that inside the barbed wire of Auschwitz isn't like the outside—that here he shouldn't give his all and work to the best of his abilities, but instead preserve his strength. He hasn't mastered the strategy of self-preservation. Kraus' work habits affect the others, though, because they're all chained together and set the pace of work together. So he puts everyone at risk even though he probably thinks he's doing the right thing according to his old work standards.
Quote #8
[B]y now we two [Primo and Alberto] are bound by a tight bond of alliance, by which every "organized" scrap is divided into two strictly equal parts. (15.11)
These two best friends give us a good example of the more communal strategy of survival; they share everything they have and take care of each other until they are separated during the evacuation of the camp.
Quote #9
Will they really want to search us at the exit every day? And even if they want to, will they do it every time that we ask to go to the latrine? Obviously not. And there is soap, petrol, alcohol here. I will stitch a secret pocket inside my jacket, and combine with the Englishman who works in the repairs-yard and trades in petrol. We will see how strict the supervision is: but by now I have spent a year in the Lager and I know that if one wants to steal and seriously sets one's mind to it, no supervision and no searchings can prevent it. (15.17)
These valuable objects are just too much of a temptation for Primo to pass up. He uses what he knows about the system to take the chance on stealing these items to exchange for food and warmer clothing.