The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream

by Paulo Coelho

when you want something, the whole universe conspires to help you. I started knocking on the doors of other publishers.

When I read about clashes around the world—political clashes, economic clashes, cultural clashes—I am reminded that it is within our power to build a bridge to be crossed. Even if my neighbor doesn’t understand my religion or understand my politics, he can understand my story. If he can understand my story, then he’s never too far from me. It is always within my power to build a bridge.

It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting,

Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.

“It’s this: that at a certain point in our lives, we lose control of what’s happening to us, and our lives become controlled by fate. That’s the world’s greatest lie.”

“They were seeking the treasure of their Personal Legend, without wanting actually to live out the Personal Legend.”

“Naturally it’s afraid that, in pursuing your dream, you might lose everything you’ve won.”

Most people see the world as a threatening place, and, because they do, the world turns out, indeed, to be a threatening place.

“Why don’t people’s hearts tell them to continue to follow their dreams?” the boy asked the alchemist. “Because that’s what makes a heart suffer most, and hearts don’t like to suffer.”

“Every search begins with beginner’s luck. And every search ends with the victor’s being severely tested.”