Quotes or quotations are sentences and lines taken from some literary works to show how they represent universal ideas and themes. These quotes are often quoted during ordinary conversation and specific writings and speeches. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho has famous quotes given for different situations. These quotations are often cited and referenced in various situations. Some of the major quotes from The Alchemist are analyzed below.
Quotes in The Alchemist
Quote #1
“If I became a monster today, and decided to kill them, one by one, they would become aware only after most of the flock had been slaughtered, thought the boy. They trust me, and they’ve forgotten how to rely on their own instincts, because I lead them to nourishment.”
Part-I
Santiago thinks about the flock of sheep that he tends and earns his livelihood. He wonders about a possibility that half of the flock would be eaten by a monster within a few moments. It will be too late to realize the danger and foresee it. The sheep would come to know the reality after the slaughter. Until then, the flock would not be worried because they trust Santiago as their shepherd. The animals also believe that he will protect the flock from wild animals and provide food.
Quote #2
“It’s a force that appears to be negative, but actually shows you how to realize your destiny. It prepares your spirit and your will, because there is one great truth on this planet: whoever you are, or whatever it is that you do, when you really want something, it’s because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. It’s your mission on earth.”
Part-I
Melchizedek speaks about the Soul of the World. Though it might sound negative, it shows the origin of all things. He says that whatever a person wants or does not want, it comes from one great source or soul. He calls it the Soul of the World. Later, it becomes a Personal Legend of that person. The speaker also says that when a person has a strong desire, he or she can make it a mission to achieve it. That’s how people realize their destiny with the help of this Soul.
Quote #3
“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires to help you achieve it.”
Part-I
The above quote is one of the famous and most quotes in the world. Melchizedek believes that when a person desires something and tries to achieve it, everything becomes his companion. Conspiracy is a negative word often used when someone is plotting to overthrow a government. However, here, it is used as an irony. Here the writer wants to encourage the readers that if we are determined to have something badly, ‘the universe’ will make things possible by getting the right people at the right time. It also means all the situations will be in our favor.
Quote #4
“The Englishman was disappointed. The years of research, the magic symbols, the strange words and the laboratory equipment… none of this had made an impression on the boy. His soul must be too primitive to understand those things, he thought.”
Part-II
The narrator presents the thoughts of the Englishman, who is thinking that he had failed to make an impression on the young boy, Santiago. He is disappointed to know it that his entire research, his use of magic, Abracadabra and laboratory tools have failed him. He has not been able to capture the boy’s attention. The Englishman also things that Santiago’s soul is perhaps too old.
Quote #5
“Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second’s encounter with God and with eternity.”
Part-2
These lines are self-reflections of Santiago. He thinks that he should tell his heart that fear is bad than the actual sufferings. Therefore, when a heart is pursuing its dreams, it does not suffer from anything, including fear. It is because this search of a dream of a heart is actually the search and subsequent meeting with God and eternity.
Quote #6
“Every search begins with beginner’s luck. And every search ends with the victor’s luck being severely tested.”
Part-II
The alchemist is talking to Santiago, warning him about the challenges he will face in the future. He also encourages him that beginners always find luck when they start searching for something. However, when they are about to end their search, the luck is tested. Hence, the person has to go through many trials and tribulations. That is how a person becomes victorious.
Quote #7
“If a person is living out his destiny, he knows everything he needs to know. There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.”
Part-II
The alchemist continues to talk to Santiago. Here, the alchemist believes in himself and knows his destiny. He also accepts the fact that he can do anything. So, he can turn himself into the wind or create an illusion of it. In other words, he means that if he has a fear of failure, he cannot succeed.
Quote #8
“We were all made by the same hand, and we have the same soul. I want to be like you, able to reach every corner of the world, cross the seas, blow away the sands that cover my treasure, and carry the voice of the woman I love.”
Part-II
Here, Santiago speaks to the wind. He claims that the same soul is residing in everything in the universe. He tells the wind that he wants to be like her to cross seas and go anywhere in the world. He also adds that he wants to get the treasure and the woman he loves. In fact, he wants to travel fast and far like the wind.
Quote #9
“It’s true; life really is generous to those who pursue their Personal Legend.”
This is the final thought of Santiago. These lines sum up his entire philosophy of life. It means that if a person pursues his Personal Legend, he succeeds. Life is also kind towards a person who works hard to reach their goals.
Quote #10
“Then he remembered that he had to get to Tarifa so he could give one-tenth of his treasure to the Gypsy woman, as he had promised. Those Gypsies are really smart, he thought. Maybe it was because they moved around so much.”
These are the last thoughts of Santiago at the end of his journey. As he has discovered the treasure he has been after, he now remembers that gypsy woman who told him about this dream and urged him to get it. He thinks that these gypsies are very clever perhaps due to the reason that they never stay in one place. He also means that traveling is a good way to get wisdom and treasures.
