The two drops of oil

Published on February 4, 2010 in News. 134 Comments

Paulo Coelho

A merchant sent his son to learn the Secret of Happiness from the wisest of men. The young man wandered through the desert for forty days until he reached a beautiful castle at the top of a mountain. There lived the sage that the young man was looking for.

However, instead of finding a holy man, our hero entered a room and saw a great deal of activity; merchants coming and going, people chatting in the corners, a small orchestra playing sweet melodies, and there was a table laden with the most delectable dishes of that part of the world.

The wise man talked to everybody, and the young man had to wait for two hours until it was time for his audience.

With considerable patience, the Sage listened attentively to the reason for the boy’s visit, but told him that at that moment he did not have the time to explain to him the Secret of Happiness.

He suggested that the young man take a stroll around his palace and come back in two hours’ time.

“However, I want to ask you a favor,” he added, handling the boy a teaspoon, in which he poured two drops of oil. “While you walk, carry this spoon and don’t let the oil spill.”

The young man began to climb up and down the palace staircases, always keeping his eyes fixed on the spoon. At the end of two hours he returned to the presence of the wise man.

“So,” asked the sage, “did you see the Persian tapestries hanging in my dining room? Did you see the garden that the Master of Gardeners took ten years to create? Did you notice the beautiful parchments in my library?”

Embarrassed, the young man confessed that he had seen nothing. His only concern was not to spill the drops of oil that the wise man had entrusted to him.

“So, go back and see the wonders of my world,” said the wise man. “You can’t trust a man if you don’t know his house.”

Now more at ease, the young man took the spoon and strolled again through the palace, this time paying attention to all the works of art that hung from the ceiling and walls. He saw the gardens, the mountains all around the palace, the delicacy of the flowers, the taste with which each work of art was placed in its niche. Returning to the sage, he reported in detail all that he had seen.

“But where are the two drops of oil that I entrusted to you?” asked the sage.

Looking down at the spoon, the young man realized that he had spilled the oil.

“Well, that is the only advice I have to give you,” said the sage of sages. “The Secret of Happiness lies in looking at all the wonders of the world and never forgetting the two drops of oil in the spoon.”



from the book “The Alchemist”

Las dos gotas de aceite

Published on February 4, 2010 in News. 37 Comments

Paulo Coelho

Cierto mercader envió a su hijo a aprender el Secreto de la Felicidad con el más sabio de todos los hombres. El muchacho anduvo durante cuarenta días por el desierto, hasta llegar a un bello castillo, en lo alto de una montaña. Allí vivía el sabio que el muchacho buscaba.

No obstante, en lugar de encontrar a un hombre santo, nuestro héroe entró en una sala en la que se deparó con una enorme actividad: mercaderes que entraban y salían, personas conversando por los rincones, una pequeña orquesta tocando suaves melodías, y una mesa muy bien servida con los más deliciosos platos de aquella región del mundo.

El Sabio conversaba con todos, y el muchacho tuvo que esperar durante dos horas hasta que pudo ser atendido.

Con mucha paciencia, el Sabio escuchó atentamente el motivo de la visita del chico, pero le dijo que en ese momento no tenía tiempo para explicarle el Secreto de la Felicidad.

Le sugirió que diese un paseo por su palacio, y regresase al cabo de dos horas.

-De todas maneras, voy a pedirte un favor –añadió, entregándole al muchacho una cucharita de té en la que dejó caer dos gotas de aceite-. Mientras estés caminando, lleva contigo esta cuchara sin derramar el aceite.

El joven empezó a subir y a bajar las escalinatas del palacio sin apartar la mirada de las gotitas de aceite. Dos horas más tarde, regresó ante la presencia del Sabio.

-Entonces – preguntó el sabio- ¿ya has visto los tapices de Persia que están en mi comedor, y el jardín que al Maestro de los Jardineros le llevó diez años concluir? ¿Y te has fijado en los hermosos pergaminos de mi biblioteca?

El muchacho, avergonzado, confesó que no había visto nada de eso. Su única preocupación había sido no derramar las gotas de aceite que el Sabio le había confiado.

-En ese caso vuelve y conoce las maravillas de mi mundo –dijo el Sabio-. No puedes confiar en alguien hasta que no conoces su casa.

Ya más tranquilo, el joven muchacho tomó una vez más la cucharilla y volvió a pasear por el palacio, pero esta vez fijándose en todas las obras de arte que colgaban del techo y las paredes. Vio los jardines, las montañas de alrededor, la delicadeza de las flores, el refinamiento con que cada obra de arte había sido colocada en su lugar. Por fin, una vez más ante la presencia del Sabio, le contó pormenorizadamente todo lo que había visto.

-Pero, ¿dónde están las dos gotas de aceite que te confié?- preguntó el Sabio.

Mirando a la cuchara, el joven se dio cuenta de que las había derramado.

-Pues este es el único consejo que puedo darte – dijo el más Sabio de los Sabios-. El secreto de la felicidad está en saber mirar todas las maravillas del mundo, sin olvidarse nunca de las dos gotas de aceite de la cucharilla.

en el libro “El Alquimista”

As duas gotas de óleo

Published on February 4, 2010 in News. 32 Comments

Paulo Coelho

Certo mercador enviou seu filho para aprender o Segredo da Felicidade com o mais sábio de todos os homens. O rapaz andou durante quarenta dias pelo deserto, até chegar a um belo castelo, no alto de uma montanha. Lá vivia o Sábio que o rapaz buscava.

Ao invés de encontrar um homem santo, porém, o nosso herói entrou numa sala e viu uma atividade imensa; mercadores entravam e saíam, pessoas conversavam pelos cantos, uma pequena orquestra tocava melodias suaves, e havia uma farta mesa com os mais deliciosos pratos daquela região do mundo.

O Sábio conversava com todos, e o rapaz teve que esperar duas horas até chegar sua vez de ser atendido.

Com muita paciência, escutou atentamente o motivo da visita do rapaz, mas disse-lhe que naquele momento não tinha tempo de explicar-lhe o Segredo da Felicidade.

Sugeriu que o rapaz desse um passeio por seu palácio, e voltasse daqui a duas horas.

– Entretanto, quero lhe pedir um favor – completou, entregando ao rapaz uma colher de chá, onde pingou duas gotas de óleo. – Enquanto você estiver caminhando, carregue esta colher sem deixar que o óleo seja derramado.

O rapaz começou a subir e descer as escadarias do palácio, mantendo sempre os olhos fixos na colher. Ao final de duas horas, retornou à presença do Sábio.

– Então – perguntou o Sábio – você viu as tapeçarias da Pérsia que estão na minha sala de jantar? Viu o jardim que o Mestre dos Jardineiros demorou dez anos para criar? Reparou nos belos pergaminhos de minha biblioteca?

O rapaz, envergonhado, confessou que não havia visto nada. Sua única preocupação era não derramar as gotas de óleo que o Sábio lhe havia confiado.

– Pois então volte e conheça as maravilhas do meu mundo – disse o Sábio. – Você não pode confiar num homem se não conhece sua casa.

Já mais tranqüilo, o rapaz pegou a colher e voltou a passear pelo palácio, desta vez reparando em todas as obras de arte que pendiam do teto e das paredes. Viu os jardins, as montanhas ao redor, a delicadeza das flores, o requinte com que cada obra de arte estava colocada em seu lugar. De volta à presença do Sábio, relatou pormenorizadamente tudo que havia visto.

– Mas onde estão as duas gotas de óleo que lhe confiei? – perguntou o Sábio.

Olhando para a colher, o rapaz percebeu que as havia derramado.

– Pois este é o único conselho que eu tenho para lhe dar – disse o mais Sábio dos Sábios. – O segredo da felicidade está em olhar todas as maravilhas do mundo, e nunca se esquecer das duas gotas de óleo na colher.

do livro “O Alquimista”

Comments on “Not in my country”

Published on February 3, 2010 in News. 25 Comments

Read the original article of Mail Online here

Blair’s appointment will lower Brazil’s reputation in the eyes of the world. He has no standing in his own country, he failed as a negotiator in the Middle East, he lost his job because of the Iraq War and he has the blood of English soldiers on his hands.
My sentiments exactly.
- hadenough, UK, 3/2/2010 0:52
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As a Brazilian I will more than welcome Mr. Blair’s trip to Rio. A young politician that took great risks and at the end got real results. Yet, I never understood Mr. Coelho, perhaps the French can figure him out better, for he writes and speaks like the silly and boring Petite Prince.
- munir Helayel, Yonkers, NY, 3/2/2010 4:53
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A very enlightening article, thank you Paul and Tom! There are people in this world, that are motivated by love. Those who sincerely care about life, how precious it is, and about all of the little children trying to grow up. Paulo is one of them. He is expressing his opinion, and I understand how he feels! Sporting events unify; bring people together.
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Now, shall Mr Coelho honor Mr Blair, for a war waged that was totally unnecessary?
Thank you, Love, Jane
- Jane Stewart, Las Vegas, NV, 3/2/2010 4:53
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HEAR HEAR
- antipolitician, Eastbourne, UK, 3/2/2010 6:31
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Mr. Paulo Coelho,
Thank you for your comments. I actually thought I was going mad when I first heard of this.
To make this very clear, Olympics and all that are entailed in them are phenominally complicated. Rio does not need these events played out or their memories tarnished by having a ‘War Criminal’ promote them.
- Anon, London, 3/2/2010 7:27
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Well said Mr Coelho, Why people pay large sums to hear this man spout lie’s and rubbish is way beyond me. He has never said anything that has done any good for this country ! I keep reading war crime charges may be pending….but WHEN ?
- Glad 2B Gone, Philippines, 3/2/2010 7:38
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Why the hell is he being employed and paid.
He has no relevant knowledge so it has to be another “job for the boys”
I wish he and his partner would just go away.
- Mike, Sydney Australia, 3/2/2010 8:42
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Put this specimen on trial for war crimes!
- Bri&Mel (ex pats, uk tax payers), South West France, 3/2/2010 8:49
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At last someone who speaks the truth. But will enough people listen? He ought not to be able to cash in on his notoriety. He has no other attributes. I would not trust him to recommend a brand of tea bags.
- linda, hertfordshire, 3/2/2010 9:04
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Madonna’s favorite auther? Do we really need to know that? Bonkers. Who cares?
- dunitburger, Coventry UK, 3/2/2010 9:21
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Seems that the more you decieve and lie the more rewarded you will become.
- rodney, swiss cottage, 3/2/2010 9:31
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You can fool all of the people all of the time. Especially the ones that vote labour.
- dennis shambley, wigan England, 3/2/2010 9:37
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Well Done Sir!!!!
Somene from outside the UK believes what Bliar did was illegal.
- DS, Hamburg, 3/2/2010 9:51
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I agree with the Brazilians, drop him.
- Terry McCarthy, Chiang Mai, Thailand, 3/2/2010 9:53
(The Brazilian politicians so far are silent, Terry – Paulo Coelho)
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What a leech,it must be a big payout he would not have done it for nought.
- Murray, Christchurch New Zealand, 3/2/2010 10:09
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Bravo Coelho! Keep Blair away from everyone in Palestine, in Britain and in Brazil. He is a toxic asset.
- Professor Robin Meakins, ashford, kent, 3/2/2010 10:11
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Well done Paulo for speaking out! If we get more people branding bliar as a war criminal then may maybe we can get him on trial!
- chu, glos, uk, 3/2/2010 10:17
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It never fails to astonish me that presumably sane and rational people will pay ridiculous amounts to listen to the self serving remarks this charlatan spouts.
I cannot as a british citizen recall any memorable speeches made by Teflon Tony in ten years, they were all delivered in that irritating “trust me guys” style that screamed LIAR!
- doofus, Newbury uk, 3/2/2010 10:20
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its where all war criminals go to hide. its funny, of all the people that attended the chilcot inquriy, only one used the back door,guess who.
- vincent barrett, spain, 3/2/2010 10:42
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I don’t hear anyone referring to Blair’s partner in crime, George W.Bush as a war criminal and asking that he be brought to justice. Why is that? George Bush is the biggest war criminal responsible for the deaths of thousands of Iraqis, Afghans, Brits, Americans etc.
- Treasured, FL USA, 3/2/2010 10:58
(He was not invited to be a consultant, Treasured – Paulo Coelho)
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I’m with Team Coelho all the way!
Blair is a war criminal with the blood of tens of thousands of innocent Iraquis, Afgans & british soldiers collectively on his hands. Some time in the future a visit to The Hague on charges is going to happen.
- SirMikeThe Right, Bromsgrove, England, 3/2/2010 11:03
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Well we don’t want him in Cyprus and he has to go somewhere.
South America sounds good to me.
- toto kubwa, Cyprus, 3/2/2010 11:11
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So now Tony Blair is an expert on the Olympic Games! Things must be pretty desperate here in Brazil if a local governor is actually willing to pay the man as a so-called ‘advisor’. It just shows what the Games are really all about = power and money.
- alex, brazil, 3/2/2010 11:16
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He would sell his own parents to got to an orphans party.
- Mac McKenna, Hannover Germany, 3/2/2010 11:38
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As a brazilian living in England I would like to agree with Mr. Coelho…….OUT OF MY COUNTRY MR. BLAIR!! NOT IN BRAZIL, you are not welcome.
- Paula, North Yorkshire, 3/2/2010 11:44
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What does Bliar know about organising the Olympics exactly?
- michael, newbury, berks., 3/2/2010 11:54
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What does Blair know about organising an Olympic Games ? Nothing as far as I can estimate. There are far more well qualified people in the world who have actually spent years organising their own Olympic Games from the first piece of paper destined for the protracted bid and all the way through to sweeping up the mess when it its all over.
In any case, perhaps Mr Blair will be too busy on his defence in The Hague for him to jet into Rio.
- John Whetton, Nottingham UK, 3/2/2010 12:00
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Well done Mr Coelho on speeking out against tony Blair… I hope it does some good, i feell sick of these people who (payed by us) use their power and position to hoard and steal from the public at large, they lie and cheat and to make themselves above the law!! When will we have so called leaders we can be proud of! I’m ashamed of what this man has done in the name of our country and I’m sure I’m not the only one.
- graig, cornwall, 3/2/2010 12:05
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Blair is fast becoming an ”International Pariah”! and will be welcome nowhere except The Hague!!!
- Jeff Richardson, Ex Pat and Taxpayer – France, 3/2/2010 12:19
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I am ashamed of Brazil for doing this but proud that Paulo has voiced his opinion with such passion!
If Rio want ‘advice’ on how to lie, canive and cowtail to the USA, he’s the man for that!!!!
- Stu, Asia Pacific, 3/2/2010 12:21
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I think its appropriate that he ends up in Brasil, after all many of Hitlers cronies ended up there as well.
- stuart, chesterfield,derbyshire, 3/2/2010 12:36
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I can’t understand how Tony Blair (or Tony B-liar as Paulo Coelho is calling him on his blog) can make so much money. In Brazil when an important politician is out of the post there are legal obstacles to prevent them from sharing crucial information with the private sector (government strategies with banks, for example). It strikes me as odd that Blair, John Major and others can make the transition so easily to JP Morgan and the Carlyle Group amongst others and be so highly payed to “consult”.
- Vanessa M, Cambridge, 3/2/2010 12:39
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And no one in the UK has the balls to say this? I agree 100% Blair is as shifty as they come, and nice that he deosnt want to pay his tax fairly and squarely, hiding behind ltd companies and trsust. Some left winger he is. Add fraudster to his many titles.
- jason Piers, london Uk, 3/2/2010 13:12
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This charlatan (Blair, not Coelho) makes me feel physically sick, and ashamed to share a nationality with him.
- VB, Harrogate, 3/2/2010 13:28
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I am a fan of Brazilian football. Now I am very very mad of the appointment. Why the hell have the Brazilian to reward the war criminal ? Paulo you are a righteous man, please use your influence and voice louder to oppose the appointment. Millions of people are behind you.
- Ms D.Lee, Hong Kong, 3/2/2010 13:37

Read the original article of Mail Online here