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The Alchemist Summary
About The Alchemist Book
A special 25th anniversary edition of the extraordinary international bestseller, including a new Foreword by Paulo Coelho.
Combining magic, mysticism, wisdom and wonder into an inspiring tale of self-discovery, The Alchemist has become a modern classic, selling millions of copies around the world and transforming the lives of countless readers across generations.
Paulo Coelho's masterpiece tells the mystical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure. His quest will lead him to riches far different—and far more satisfying—than he ever imagined. Santiago's journey teaches us about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, of recognizing opportunity and learning to read the omens strewn along life's path, and, most importantly, to follow our dreams.
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Timeless quotes from this timeless piece of literature
Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.
PAULO COELHO
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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.
PAULO COELHO
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If good things are coming, they will be a pleasant surprise. If bad things are, and you know in advance, you will suffer greatly before they even occur.
PAULO COELHO
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- Always follow your heart, as it is the language of God.
THE BOOK
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Hope
- When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.
595
Dreams
- There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.
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Fear of Suffering
“The fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself" - often the scenarios are not as bad as they are in our mind.
616
Gratitude and Monotonous Life
“When every day seems the same, that is because people have stopped noticing the good things that appear in their lives.”
518
Living in the Present
"I don’t live in either my past or my future. I’m interested only in the present because life is the moment we’re living now." Present moment is all we have, present moment is all that matters.
452
I'm an old superstitious Arab, and I believe in our proverbs. There's one that says, "Everything that happens once can never happen again. But everything that happens twice will surely happen a third time."
THE ALCHEMIST
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About the Book 📖
The Alchemist is a novel by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho that was first published in 1988. Originally written in Portuguese, it became a widely translated international bestseller.
The Alchemist is a novel by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho that was first published in 1988. Originally written in Portuguese, it became a widely translated international bestseller.
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✨✨✨
I gather some of the lines that made me stop reading-- and reflect for a while.
Happy reading!
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Discover the Alchemist's Formula for Turning Your Life into Pure Gold!
"To realize one's destiny is a person's only real obligation."
PAULO COELHO
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Following Your Personal Legend
This means chasing your big dream or life purpose. The book says it's super important to figure out what you really want to do with your life and go for it.
It's not just a nice idea, but something you should feel you have to do.
143
You will never be able to escape from your heart. So it's better to listen to what it has to say.
PAULO COELHO
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Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist (10th Edition) is a timeless allegory about pursuing one’s dreams and discovering personal destiny. Following Santiago, a shepherd on a journey to find treasure, the book explores themes of self-discovery, resilience, and the interconnectedness of life. With poetic prose and universal wisdom, Coelho inspires readers to listen to their hearts and embrace the adventure of life. This edition celebrates the enduring magic of a story that transcends generations...
Paulo Coelho's Intro
Coelho's intro reflects on "The Alchemist's" unexpected global success after a tough start in Brazil. He emphasizes following dreams, listening to the heart, and pursuing one's "Personal Legend" despite fears. He shares anecdotes of the book's impact on diverse readers, highlighting its universal message of hope, perseverance, and interconnectedness. He expresses gratitude for the book's enduring popularity and its testament to humanity's search for meaning.
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"Looking back, I realize that stories have a life of their own, and sometimes they choose us to tell them."
PAULO COELHO
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"The book insisted on speaking to the soul of each reader, reminding them that life has a purpose, a direction, a destiny – which I came to call a 'Personal Legend.'"
PAULO COELHO
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When you want something, the universe conspires to help you achieve it.
PAULO COELHO
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Follow your personal Legend
Your personal legend is your life's purpose - what you were born to do. The universe helps those who pursue it with courage and belief.
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The Power of Dreams
Dreams make life meaningful. They drive us forward and give us something to live for. The fear of failing should never be greater than the joy of trying.
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"One is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving."
PAULO COELHO
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1. Do what makes you happy
Santiago's (the main character of the story) father wanted him to be a priest but he wanted to travel the world. Later on he chose to be a shepherd and was happy with life despite making less money.
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2. Be aware of our personal calling
What is personal calling?
It is God's blessing, it is the path that God chose for you here on Earth. Whenever we do something that fills us with enthusiasm, we are following our destiny.
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“It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.”
PAULO COELHO
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“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
PAULO COELHO
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“The simple things are also the most extraordinary things, and only the wise can see them.”
PAULO COELHO
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“It’s the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary; only wise men are able to understand them.”
PAULO COELHO
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“You will never be able to escape from your heart. So it’s better to listen to what it has to say.”
PAULO COELHO
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“When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.”
PAULO COELHO
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