10 Mystical Quotes From The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
That’ll remind you of life’s magic.
The Alchemist is not a book. It’s the meaning of life condensed into 163 pages.
The book has sold over 65 million copies in 67 languages. It holds the Guinness World Record for the most translated book by a living author.
When I started reading it this year, I didn’t know what to expect. I heard about the book years ago, but I’ve always prioritized non-fiction. Then I came across my wife’s 15-year-old copy and decided to give it a shot.
And I’m glad I did.
I found it brought me closer to God. It felt magical, mystical, and biblical in a way—the stories resonated deeply. The lessons felt familiar yet captivating.
Today, I’m sharing my favorite 10 most powerful quotes with my super-short take on each.
‘What’s the world’s greatest lie?’ The boy asked, completely surprised. ‘It’s this: that at a certain point in our lives, we lose control of what’s happening to us, and our lives become controlled by fate. That is the world’s greatest lie.’
You are the master of your fate. You have the power to choose. We’re not puppets.
It’s [your Personal Legend] what you have always wanted to accomplish. Everyone, when they are young, knows what their Personal Legend is. At that point in their lives, everything is clear and everything is possible. They are not afraid to dream, and to yearn for everything they would like to see happen to them in their lives. But, as time passes, a mysterious force begins to convince them that it will be impossible for them to realize their Personal Legend.
We all have gifts. Believe, have faith, and then anything is possible.
All things are one.
We are one. Enemies and friends, we are all interconnected.
The boy reached through to the Soul of the World, and saw that it was a part of the Soul of God. And he saw that the Soul of God was his own soul. And that he, a boy, could perform miracles.
God is within. Doing good starts from within. Simply think of your soul. What makes you, YOU? How are you alive? We are living miracles.
‘But this payment goes well beyond my generosity,’ the monk responded. ‘Don’t say that again. Life might be listening, and give you less next time.’
Be careful what you wish for. You might have it all.
And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.
It’s the Law of Attraction.
‘Don’t be impatient,’ he repeated to himself. It’s like the camel driver said: ‘Eat when it’s time to eat. And move along when it’s time to move along.’
Live in the present moment. Do what you can when you can.
But, unfortunately, very few follow the path laid out for them — the path to their Personal Legends, and to happiness. Most people see the world as a threatening place, and, because they do, the world turns out, indeed, to be a threatening place.
Whatever your belief of yourself, or your life, it’s true. Your beliefs control your destiny.
Every search begins with beginner’s luck. And every search ends with the victor’s being severely tested. The boy remembered an old proverb from his country. It said that the darkest hour of the night came just before the dawn.
Jesus was tested, tempted for 40 days before he began his ministry. You’re no Jesus, don’t expect anything less.
It is we who nourish the Soul of the World, and the world we live in will be either better or worse, depending on whether we become better or worse. And that’s where the power of love comes in. Because when we love, we always strive to become better than we are.
Love is the way. Love heals. Love your enemy.