Saturday, December 16, 2006

Quote of the Day

"...before a dream is realized, the Soul of the World tests everything that was learned along the way. It does this not because it is evil, but so that we can , in addition to realizing our dreams master the lessons we've learned as we've moved toward that dream. That's the point at which most people give up. It's the point at which, as we say in the language of the desert, "one dies of thirst just when the palm trees have appeared on the horizon"".

From The Alchemist by Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho

Food for thought indeed. A lesson to us all of the dangers of throwing in the towel too soon.

4 comments:

Lady Fotherington-Smethers said...

I have read The Alchemist as well as The Devil & Miss Prym byt he same author. Interesting but I prefer a more straightforward style - I don't like writers who I feel are unsure what they are trying to say and leave us to interpret. It is important not to give up on your aims in life. However it is equally important not to stick to one idea so long that you become inflexible.

Anonymous said...

Hello,Ciaran!
I also love Coelho`s The Alchemist. It changed my life totaly.
Do you know, that Paulo has blog:
http://www.paulocoelhoblog.com
and also newsletter:
http://www.warriorofthelight.com/engl/index.html
it`s realy great.
i enjoy his work as you :)
cheers and best reagards!
happy holidays!

CW said...

Lorainne, I also liked The Devil & Miss Prym, but would also recommend "Eleven Minutes" which contains similarly deep and philosophical passages.

Aart, thanks for visiting. I'll check out the blog.

Anonymous said...

welcome :)
see ya!