Paulo Coelho

When someone sees the same people every day, as had happened with him at the seminary, they wind up becoming a part of that person’s life. And then they want the person to change.

If someone isn’t what others want them to be, the others become angry. Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.

every day was the same, and when each day is the same as the next, it’s because people
fail to recognize the good things that happen in their lives every day that the sun rises

because water never forgets that the sea is its destiny and that sooner or later it must be reached.

We have to be prepared for change, he thought, and he was grateful for the jacket's weight and warmth.

He owned a jacket, a book that he could trade for another, and a flock of sheep. But, most important, he was able every day to live out his dream.

Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.

“What do I do in Salem?” The old man laughed. “Well, I'm the king of Salem!”

People say strange things, the boy thought. Sometimes it's better to be with the sheep, who don't say anything.

'The secret of happiness is to see all the marvels of the world, and never to forget the drops of oil on the spoon.'

“Well, why don't you go to Mecca now?” asked the boy.

"Because it's the thought of Mecca that keeps me alive. That's what helps me face these days that are all the same, these mute crystals on the shelves, and lunch and dinner at that same horrible cafי. I'm afraid that if my dream is realized, I'll have no reason to go on living.