Quotes from the 'Witch of Portobello' by Paulo Coelho
I’m only happy when I think that God exists and is listening to me; but that isn’t enough to go on living, when nothing seems to make sense.
Music isn’t just something that comforts or distracts us, it goes beyond that – it’s an ideology. You can judge people by the kind of music they listen to.
When mouths close, it’s because there’s something important to be said.
‘God hid the most important things from the wise because they cannot understand what is simple.’
Matthew 11: 25: ‘I thank thee, O Father, thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes’, or from St Paul (1 Corinthians 1: 27): ‘But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.’)
We all have an unknown ability, which will probably remain unknown forever. And yet that ability can become our ally. Since it’s impossible to measure that ability or give it an economic value, it’s never taken seriously.
‘What is a teacher? I’ll tell you: it isn’t someone who teaches something, but someone who inspires the student to give of her best in order to discover what she already knows.’
Writing reveals the personality
Naturally, if she respected the brush that she used, she would realize that in order to learn to write she must cultivate serenity and elegance. And serenity comes from the heart.
‘Elegance isn’t a superficial thing; it’s the way mankind has found to honor life and work. That’s why, when you feel uncomfortable in that position, you mustn’t think that it’s false or artificial: it’s real and true precisely because it’s difficult.
Elegance is the correct posture if the writing is to be perfect. It’s the same with life: when all superfluous things have been discarded, we discover simplicity and concentration. The simpler and more sober the posture, the more beautiful it will be, even though, at first, it may seem uncomfortable.’
Don’t allow your wounds to turn you into a person you are not.
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Those quotes had opened my eyes.. how could I.....
ReplyDeleteThis book changed the way I thought about a lot of things. Coelho is truly a brilliant author!
ReplyDeleteI loved this book, read it more than once.
ReplyDelete"How do we find the courage to always be true to ourselves—even if we are unsure of who we are? "
This is a great book! I've been listening to the unabridged audio version during my commutes to and from work.
ReplyDeleteMy spirituality has been evolving for quite some time now. I've developed quite an interest in the paranormal and astral projection. My beliefs are very much in line with Athena's. Yet, they transcend hers at the same time.