The Alchemist: Quotes

“When you really want something, it’s because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. It’s your mission on earth” (10th Anniversary Edition, pp. 22-23).

(Chapter info unavailable) (Paulo Coelho)

The author here refers to the Personal Legend, or one’s calling in life. The novel puts forth the idea that the universe comes to the aid of people who dare to pursue their Personal Legend. It is one’s duty to pursue one’s dreams, the book seems to suggest.

“The secret of happiness is to see all the marvels of the world, and never to forget the drops of oil on the spoon” (10th Anniversary Edition, p. 34).

(Chapter info unavailable) (Melchizedek)

This quote is the ultimate moral of a parable that Melchizedek, the king of Salem, narrates to Santiago. The drops of oil on the spoon stand for one’s Personal Legend or one’s ultimate purpose in life, which one must strive to fulfill. As one progresses through life, the world, with its abundant beauty and marvels, will have much to offer. Though this may distract one from pursuing one’s goals, the quote urges readers to remain focused on their ultimate purpose. True happiness can come only when one is focused on achieving one’s Personal Legend.

“If you can concentrate always on the present, you’ll be a happy man. …Life will be a party for you, a grand festival, because life is the moment we’re living right now” (10th Anniversary Edition, pp. 88-89).

(Chapter info unavailable) (Camel Driver – Not a Major Character)

The book repeatedly highlights the importance of living in the present. These words are spoken by the camel driver, a once-successful man who loses his orchard in a flood. He thereafter takes to living in the moment. If we incessantly worry about the future and what it may hold, we can never completely enjoy the present, the quote suggests.

“You must understand that love never keeps a man from pursuing his Personal Legend” (10th Anniversary Edition, p. 126).

(Chapter info unavailable) (Paulo Coelho)

The Alchemist stresses on the importance of pursuing one’s Personal Legend. According to the book, love is secondary to this pursuit. If one abandons one’s Personal Legend for love, then it is most certainly not true love, the book seems to suggest.

“Every search begins with beginner’s luck. And every search ends with the victor’s being severely tested” (10th Anniversary Edition, p. 139).

(Chapter info unavailable) (Paulo Coelho)

The book is of the view that, initially, one may be compelled to pursue one’s Personal Legend by a spell of good fortune or success. However, this pursuit is an uphill task, and it necessarily involves severe challenges. We should not be lulled by the initial spell of good fortune or discouraged altogether by the challenges.

“When you possess great treasures within you, and try to tell others of them, seldom are you believed” (10th Anniversary Edition, p. 141).

(Chapter info unavailable) (The Alchemist)

The alchemist tells a group of hostile people that he is proficient at the art of turning lead into gold. These words, in particular, are spoken in response to Santiago’s question about why the alchemist revealed the truth to the hostile group. Humans are cynical in their outlook and value utility more than they should. At the same time, they tend not to believe truths that are fairly straightforward. Most people, the author notes, dismiss the child-like aspect of the self, thereby losing the ability to wonder at the marvels of the universe.