Convention for those wounded in love (ENG, ESPA)

by Paulo Coelho on August 21, 2010

PARA PORTUGUES CLICAR AQUI : Convenção dos feridos por amor
PARA ESPANOL CLICAR AQUI: Convención de los heridos de amor


General provisions:

A – Whereas the saying “all is fair in love and war” is absolutely correct;

B – Whereas for war we have the Geneva Convention, approved on 22 August 1864, which provides for those wounded in the battle field, but until now no convention has been signed concerning those wounded in love, who are far greater in number;

It is hereby decreed that:

Article 1 – All lovers, of any sex, are alerted that love, besides being a blessing, is also something extremely dangerous, unpredictable and capable of causing serious damage. Consequently, anyone planning to love should be aware that they are exposing their body and soul to various types of wounds, and that they shall not be able to blame their partner at any moment, since the risk is the same for both.

Article 2 – Once struck by a stray arrow fired from Cupid’s bow, they should immediately ask the archer to shoot the same arrow in the opposite direction, so as not to be afflicted by the wound known as “unrequited love”. Should Cupid refuse to perform such a gesture, the Convention now being promulgated demands that the wounded partner remove the arrow from his/her heart and throw it in the garbage. In order to guarantee this, those concerned should avoid telephone calls, messages over the Internet, sending flowers that are always returned, or each and every means of seduction, since these may yield results in the short run but always end up wrong after a while. The Convention decrees that the wounded person should immediately seek the company of other people and try to control the obsessive thought: “this person is worth fighting for”.

Article 3 – If the wound is caused by third parties, in other words if the loved one has become interested in someone not in the script previously drafted, vengeance is expressly forbidden. In this case, it is allowed to use tears until the eyes dry up, to punch walls or pillows, to insult the ex-partner in conversations with friends, to allege his/her complete lack of taste, but without offending their honor. The Convention determines that the rule contained in Article 2 be applied: seek the company of other persons, preferably in places different from those frequented by the other party.

Article 4 – In the case of light wounds, herein classified as small treacheries, fulminating passions that are short-lived, passing sexual disinterest, the medicine called Pardon should be applied generously and quickly. Once this medicine has been applied, one should never reconsider one’s decision, not even once, and the theme must be completely forgotten and never used as an argument in a fight or in a moment of hatred.

Article 5 – In all definitive wounds, also known as “breaking up”, the only medicine capable of having an effect is called Time. It is no use seeking consolation from fortune-tellers (who always say that the lost lover will return), romantic books (which always have a happy ending), soap-operas on the television or other such things. One should suffer intensely, completely avoiding drugs, tranquilizers and praying to saints. Alcohol is only tolerated if kept to a maximum of two glasses of wine a day.

Final determination:
Those wounded in love, unlike those wounded in armed conflict, are neither victims nor torturers. They chose something that is part of life, and so they have to accept both the agony and the ecstasy of their choice.
And those who have never been wounded in love will never be able to say: “I have lived”. Because they haven’t.
 
 

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{ 835 comments… read them below or add one }

Alex September 1, 2010 at 6:09 am

what an awesome passage. I love Coelho and his words are inspiring even to those who have suffered the casualties of love

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Lea August 29, 2010 at 7:54 am

just when i needed it most.. this teaches us to be brave.. how deep and painful the wound is depends on how deep you love the person and i say it is almost unbearable.. thank you for sharing this, it helps very much.. more blessing to you and God Bless

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Dennis August 28, 2010 at 12:16 pm

Love is a wanting the other so much
that a thought is to the heart
as the hand is to the touch.

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althea August 28, 2010 at 10:29 am

thank you. your thoughts always enlighten and strengthen many, me. i hope that you and people like you remain healthy to touch people. :)

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mariposa August 28, 2010 at 4:47 am

never fails to inspire…. your blogs has always been a relief knowing i can never find any of your book here in the small island nation in the Pacific.

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erika August 27, 2010 at 8:51 am

i wish you a happy birthday although its late.. you enlighten me :D

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Santanu August 26, 2010 at 8:18 pm

Hello Paulo,

Happy Belated Birthday…….
As always .. such minute observation and balming words from you… would love to live the life through your eyes for just an hour…
Patience and forgiveness might be the two weapons we have against the Wounds of Love…..
God be with everyone….

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dina August 26, 2010 at 6:01 pm

happy birthday a little late, thank you for bringing aid through your books God Bless Your Life and talent and prosper thy way

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Koah August 26, 2010 at 3:44 pm

This is absolutely wonderful! Thank you

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sandy August 26, 2010 at 8:34 am

A person who gave you wound in love deserves destruction, and that wound is a ray of freedom for you.

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T August 26, 2010 at 3:30 am

At a crossroad
My understanding of the road less traveled is the one of the soul …..>>>>>>>

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MONIKA August 25, 2010 at 11:14 pm

If you are wounded leave the battlefield without regrets.

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Ariane August 25, 2010 at 10:01 pm

Olá! Gostaria a tempos de lhe contar uma história ,cheia de símbolos e mistérios,símbolos que foram aparecendo na minha vida desde os meus sete anos de idade,que no decorrer do tempo fui obtendo as respostas até meu chamado na tradição da Lua,um grande segredo me foi revelado,é uma história em que as pessoas tem curiosidade em saber… mas é uma história particular e muito linda de amor e que infelizmente a Igreja católica deturpou,uma história milenar e de segredos profundos…Tenho perguntas que gostaria de fazer-lhe e se houver um meio de lhe enviar um e-mail dizendo tudo o que quero lhe dizer…por favor…diga-me como…
grande abraço

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vanesa August 25, 2010 at 5:18 pm

And if I channeled Borges:

And if I channeled Borges,
what would he say?
Would he teach me to write–
once and for all?
Would he send me to hell–
even if he’s in heaven, he’s still Argentine?
Would he sing me a song–
and show me that all’s well and will continue to be so?
Would he tell me to live–
and not wait until I die to do so?
Would he tell me that the written word is a poor substitute–
to the lived life?
Would he tell me that he was wrong after all–
that he lived while he was alive,
that he was happy while he was miserable,
that he loved while he was alone,
that he did whatever the hell he pleased while he was crying that he didn’t have the courage?

I think he would.

~~

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kealan August 26, 2010 at 12:23 am

Borges’s idea of heaven was a library.. hope this helps you understand him a little more

Amitis August 25, 2010 at 1:45 pm

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PAULO!
تولدت مبارک پائولو

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Samantha August 25, 2010 at 6:39 am

I love this. Thank you for such inspiring & timely words. Happy birthday!

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Yasmine Youssef August 25, 2010 at 3:54 am

This is truly inspiring, moving and genuinely useful in our life’s journey. I’d like to express my real appreciation to your daily quotes and ofcourse your stimulating books which are deeply meaningful indeed. They are always pushing me towards the better in my life..soaking my heart and soul with a valuable meaning of life ..soothing me in my hard times and strengthening my weakness whenever sorrow or agony sets in. The creativity and uniqueness in all your books carves you a landmark in writing…concerning the artistic ideas you come up with…inserting the theme of nature and spirituality in your books having this exceptional influence on the reader sums the whole issue up ! Not only this, but also the brightness of optimism glowing from the storylines allows readers to survive with an optimistic approach towards life, with a great desire to embrace every single moment and make the best of it, and make it as fruitful as possible !
Thanks a million for the good work you’ve offered us. (a whole lot of people witness your greatness)
Love from Egypt..

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emil kourbanov August 25, 2010 at 1:56 am

Happy birthday Paulo!!! i wish you all the bless in the universe!

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Soumaya August 25, 2010 at 12:55 am

Aid miled el saïd Mr. Coehlo

YOU changed my life, literraly and sincerely.

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vanesa August 24, 2010 at 11:49 pm
emil kourbanov August 24, 2010 at 11:44 pm

happy birthday paulo!!! i wish you all the blessing in this universe!!! and i wish all the grace of god.

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karola August 24, 2010 at 11:36 pm

You wished me happy birthday on January – now I send the same for you :)
God bless you, Paulo!

Best regards from Poland :)

love,
karola

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Sara Lin August 24, 2010 at 11:26 pm

…Non sapevo che oggi era il tuo compleanno…
Sarà una coincidenza? Dopo tutti questi anni che ti leggo, ho deciso di scriverti solo questi giorni?
Non ricordo quasi mai le date e altri dati delle persone tranne miei figli, sorry :)
Happy Birthday!
Buon compleanno!
Sheng ri kuai le!

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marie-christine August 24, 2010 at 10:14 pm

Is this the ‘egg of light’?

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enlighten August 25, 2010 at 12:24 pm

must be why I like eggs so mucho!

Donna August 24, 2010 at 9:41 pm

Happy,HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! :)

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jay August 24, 2010 at 9:28 pm

Pride
It can surely lead us to hell
but must it?
Are there not things to be proud of?
Things to love and cherish
Things beyond the scope of the detestable
But the eyes lie
as to the words…
as do the senses
But love continues
carefree
shining

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yenny August 24, 2010 at 8:45 pm

Happy Birthday P. Coelho, your blogs are very inspiring and educative, Thank you!

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breda August 24, 2010 at 8:24 pm

‎’Happy Birthday to you ,Happy Birthday to you ,Happy Birthday Dear Paulo,Happy Birthday to you lalalalala

May the dear Lord Bless you ,May the Dear lord bless you May the dear Lord Bless Paulo,may the Dear Lord Bles you.

For!!! He’s a jolly… good fellow,for hes a jolly good fellow,for hes a jolly good …fell – L-ooo and so say all of us ….WOLS.Blessings to you and Christina on one of your special days Love Bredaxx

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Anahi Mercado August 24, 2010 at 7:43 pm

Celebra con Cristo el milagro de la vida!!!! feliz cumpleaños!!!Bendiciones y exitos!.

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Densi August 24, 2010 at 7:29 pm

Happy birthday Paulo – thank you for your thoughts for your stories for your books for this blog, for all your sharing and encouragement

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racheljoy August 24, 2010 at 6:41 pm

Paulo Coelho = amazing. I wishi I could write the same way you do!

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Adriana August 24, 2010 at 5:27 pm

“Because time itself is like a spiral, something special happens on your birthday each year: The same energy that God invested in you at birth is present once again.”
Menachem Mendel Schneerson.
May God bring your birth energy once again so that you can have the best birthday ever.
Lots of love dear MASTER
Adriana

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Begoña August 24, 2010 at 5:12 pm

Awwww I forgot to say:

HHHAAAAAPPY BIRTHHHHHDAYYYY!! to you……y que cumplas muchos más :-)

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Meredith August 24, 2010 at 4:16 pm

Happy Birthday! Thank you for all your writings.

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Anamaria August 24, 2010 at 4:16 pm

Happy birthday!!! :) May all your wishes come true!
Have a wonderfull birthday!

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Jean August 24, 2010 at 3:33 pm

Joyeux anniversaire!

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Passante Adel August 24, 2010 at 3:21 pm

Thanks for everything, for your books, your notes and even your facebook status!
Happy Birthday. May your next year be filled with enlightenment and joy :)

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Sushant Joshi August 24, 2010 at 3:16 pm

I have a question…
Sometimes, no… actually many times, I have that the boy was in love for long, but the girl wasn’t. But that was only because she didn’t properly understand him, and once she did, she really began liking him.
So, if the boy had followed Article#2, then wouldn’t it have been a bad luck for both of them? Since they now love each other as if they are one.

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micaela August 24, 2010 at 2:47 pm

La multi ani Paulo!feel the joy/enjoy the ride :))
Micaela-Romania,Bucuresti

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Larisa August 24, 2010 at 2:43 pm

Dear Mr. Coelho,

I would like to wish you a Happy Birthday from NYC. Great post.

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Jojo August 24, 2010 at 2:27 pm

I appreciated reading the Convention for those wounded in Love.

I take this moment to wish you a happy birthday.

Love to you, Jojo.

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aubrey August 24, 2010 at 2:22 pm

happy birthday sir..you inspired to go after my dream..god bless..

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Magdalena August 24, 2010 at 12:05 pm

Happy Birthday Paulo. Thank you for all your novels. Wish I could meet you in person one day:) M x

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Alexandra August 24, 2010 at 11:55 am

Happy birthday, dearest Paulo!!!
Much love, lot of hugs, best wishes!
God bless you!

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katie August 24, 2010 at 10:47 am

yeahhhh!
“Wir freuen uns, dass du geboren bist
und hast Gebuuurstag heut’!”

“We are happy that you were born
and have biiiiiirthday today!

all the best!
-k

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Monica August 24, 2010 at 7:45 am

Dear Mr. Coelho,
I just want to express how much I LOVE your writings! They are like soothing ointment on my soul!
Thank you!

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Julie August 24, 2010 at 7:40 am

I just want to say: happy birthday, Paulo! You have inspired me a lot!

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Smitten Reader August 24, 2010 at 7:00 am

Keep writing! I’m such a huge fan, I <3 all your novels and find them all truly inspiring, thought provoking, and filled with wisdom through all the intimate character portrayals :) Oh! And Happy Birthday Mr. Coelho!

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marja August 24, 2010 at 6:44 am

It should be already the 24th of August where you are. In NZ we are a bit ahead
Feliz aniversario, birthday buddy!!
I heard you have lived in Holland long time ago, therefore: van harte gefeliciteerd.

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THELMA August 24, 2010 at 6:06 am

HAPPY BIRTHDAY dearest Paulo Coelho!
Blessings.
LOVE,
Thelma xxx

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