The Witch of Portobello

by Paulo Coelho

The Virgin (and I’m not speaking here of a sexual virgin) is the one whose search springs from her complete independence, and everything she learns is the fruit of her ability to face challenges alone. The Martyr finds her way to self-knowledge through pain, surrender and suffering. The Saint finds her true reason for living in unconditional love and in her ability to give without asking anything in return. Finally, the Witch justifies her existence by going in search of complete and limitless pleasure.

‘I’m only happy when I think that God exists and is listening to me; but that isn’t enough to go on living, when nothing seems to make sense. I pretend a happiness I don’t feel; I hide my sadness so as not to worry those who love me and care about me. Recently, I’ve even considered suicide. At night, before I go to sleep, I have long conversations with myself, praying for this idea to go away; it would be such an act of ingratitude, an escape, a way of spreading tragedy and misery over the Earth. In the mornings, I come here to talk to St Thérèse and to ask her to free me from the demons I speak to at night. It’s worked so far, but I’m beginning to weaken. I know I have a mission which I’ve long rejected, and now I must accept it. That mission is to be a mother. I must carry out that mission or go mad. If I don’t feel life growing inside me, I’ll never be able to accept life outside me.’

And looking at Athena, Jesus might have replied: ‘My child, I’ve been excluded too. It’s a very long time since they’ve allowed me in there.’

each of us contains our ancestors and all the generations to come. When we free ourselves, we are freeing all humanity.

in order to forget the rules, you must know them and respect them.

‘When I die, bury me standing, because I’ve spent all my life on my knees!’

‘The light is unstable, the wind blows it out, the lightning ignites it, it is never simply there, shining like the sun, but it is worth fighting for,’

‘You are what you believe yourself to be.

we are not meant for solitude, and we only know ourselves when we see ourselves in the eyes of others.

Anyone who believes they have failed will always fail. Anyone who has decided that they cannot behave any differently will be destroyed by routine. Anyone who has decided to block all changes will be transformed into dust. Cursed be those who do not dance and who prevent others from dancing!’

There is only one difference between teacher and disciple: the former is slightly less afraid than the latter.

In order for us to liberate the energy of our strength, our weakness must first have a chance to reveal itself.