Paulo Coelho

If you’re having a hard time with your sense of direction, metaphorically, these Paulo Coelho Quotes can help you understand that perseverance, diligence, and faith in yourself are keys to getting what you want.

Brazilian novelist Paulo Coelho was born on August 24, 1947. He first expressed his interest in writing during his teens. Due to his introversion and his resolution to reject the traditional path, his parents committed him to a mental institution. He escaped three times before being released at age 20.

He briefly attended law school before dropping out and lived as a hippie during the 1960s where he mostly traveled. When he returned to Brazil, he worked as a songwriter; most notably collaborating with Brazilian icon Raul Seixas. This led to his arrest over allegations that his lyrics were rebellious.

His first book, Hell Archives, was published in 1982 though it failed to gain significant success. In the late ’80s, The Pilgrimage and The Alchemist were published. However, it was in 1994 that the latter became an international bestseller after being re-published. Since The Alchemist, he has been a hugely prolific writer. His works are a combination of autobiographies, fictions, and essay collections.

Often cited as one of the most influential contemporary authors, Coelho’s books combined have sold in hundreds of millions. His journey, as arduous and diverse as it was, is an excellent example of persistence in the name of passion. Here are 30 Paulo Coelho quotes to live by.

Everything tells me that I am about to make a wrong decision, but making mistakes is just part of life. What does the world want of me? Does it want me to take no risks, to go back to where I came from because I didn’t have the courage to say “yes” to life? – Paulo Coelho, Eleven Minutes

When you find your path, you must not be afraid. You need to have sufficient courage to make mistakes. Disappointment, defeat, and despair are the tools God uses to show us the way. – Paulo Coelho, Brida

And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it. – Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

But no one can lose sight of what he desires. Even if there are moments when he believes the world and the others are stronger. The secret is this: do not surrender. – Paulo Coelho, The Fifth Mountain

Waiting is painful. Forgetting is painful. But not knowing which to do is the worst kind of suffering. – Paulo Coelho, By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept

Scars speak more loudly than the sword that caused them. – Paulo Coelho, Manuscript Found in Accra

The best way to destroy the bridge between the visible and invisible is by trying to explain your emotions. – Paulo Coelho, Brida

Beware when making a woman cry. God is counting her tears. – Paulo Coelho, Adultery

Don’t listen to the malicious comments of those friends who, never taking any risks themselves, can only see other people’s failures. – Paulo Coelho, Eleven Minutes

The worst killing is that which kills the joy we get from life. – Paulo Coelho, Hippie

Now that she had nothing to lose, she was free. – Paulo Coelho, Eleven Minutes

We are the ones who create the messes in our heads. It does not come from outside. – Paulo Coelho, Adultery

When someone leaves, it’s because someone else is about to arrive. – Paulo Coelho, The Zahir

People never learn anything by being told, they have to find out for themselves. – Paulo Coelho, Veronika Decides to Die

We must never stop dreaming. Dreams provide nourishment for the soul, just as a meal does for the body. – Paulo Coelho, The Pilgrimage

Don’t be intimidated by other people’s opinions. Only mediocrity is sure of itself, so take risks and do what you really want to do. – Paulo Coelho, Aleph

One is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving. – Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

I understand once again that the greatness of God always reveals itself in the simple things. – Paulo Coelho, Like the Flowing River

Talent is a universal gift, but it takes a lot of courage to use it. Don’t be afraid to be the best. – Paulo Coelho, The Winner Stands Alone

Anyone who loves in the expectation of being loved in return is wasting their time. – Paulo Coelho, The Devil and Miss Prym

We can never judge the lives of others, because each person knows only their own pain and renunciation. – Paulo Coelho, By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept

Men. They thought they ruled the world but couldn’t so much as take a step without, that very same night, seeking the opinions of their partners, lovers, girlfriends, mothers. – Paulo Coelho, Hippie

How much I missed, simply because I was afraid of missing it. – Paulo Coelho, Brida

Anxiety was born in the very same moment as mankind. And since we will never be able to master it, we will have to learn to live with it—just as we have learned to live with storms. – Paulo Coelho, Manuscript Found in Accra

The boat is safer anchored at the port; but that’s not the aim of boats. – Paulo Coelho, The Pilgrimage

Certain things in life simply have to be experienced -and never explained. Love is such a thing. – Paulo Coelho, Maktub

The mirror reflects perfectly; it makes no mistakes because it doesn’t think. To think is to make mistakes. – Paulo Coelho, The Winner Stands Alone

Behind the mask of ice that people wear, there beats a heart of fire. – Paulo Coelho, Warrior of the Light

It is possible to avoid pain? Yes, but you’ll never learn anything. Is it possible to know something without ever having experiencing it? Yes, but it will never truly be part of you. – Paulo Coelho, Aleph

What people regard as vanity—leaving great works, having children, acting in such a way as to prevent one’s name from being forgotten—I regard as the highest expression of human dignity. – Paulo Coelho, The Pilgrimage

Inspire your loved ones with these 30 Paulo Coelho quotes. These might be the very words they need to hear to find love, happiness, and fulfillment in their journey.i

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