"Before a dream is realized, the Soul of the World tests everything that was learned along the way."

"It was at that point that he realized that the Language of the World was easy to understand... more than that: it was pure happiness."

"Looking back, I realize that stories have a life of their own, and sometimes they choose us to tell them."

"When you can't go back, you have to worry only about the best way of moving forward."

"There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure."

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

"There is only one way to learn... It's through action."

"I'm afraid that if my dream is realized, I'll no longer have any reason to go on living."

The Alchemist and Santiago reach a Coptic monastery. The Alchemist demonstrates the ability to turn lead into gold. He leaves Santiago to complete the final leg of his journey alone, reminding him to listen to his heart.

The Monastery and the Final Leg

"When you are in harmony with yourself and love yourself, then you don't care what others think or say."

"When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." (Melchizedek's encouragement)

"Don't think about what you've left behind."

"I'm coming, Fatima."

"When someone leaves, it's because someone else is about to arrive."

"I'm not afraid of losing money, even though I earned it with much effort. My fear is that I might not find the 'Omens' that God has reserved for me."

"You will never be able to escape from your heart. So it's better to listen to what it has to say."

Coelho's intro reflects on "The Alchemist's" unexpected global success after a tough start in Brazil. He emphasizes following dreams, listening to the heart, and pursuing one's "Personal Legend" despite fears. He shares anecdotes of the book's impact on diverse readers, highlighting its universal message of hope, perseverance, and interconnectedness. He expresses gratitude for the book's enduring popularity and its testament to humanity's search for meaning.

Paulo Coelho's Intro

"The darkest hour is just before the dawn."

Santiago is robbed of his savings upon arriving in Tangier. Forced to find work, he ends up working for a crystal merchant. Over time, Santiago's ambition and ideas revitalize the merchant's business. He learns about the importance of time, dreams, and the potential for change.

The Journey to Tangier and the Crystal Merchant

"Where your treasure is, there also will be your heart."

"He had traveled the world, seen many things, met many people, and learned much along the way. But it was here, at this abandoned church, that the old shepherd's treasure lay."

This section introduces Santiago, a young Andalusian shepherd who has a recurring dream about finding treasure at the foot of the Egyptian pyramids. He consults a Gypsy woman and King Melchizedek, who both encourage him to pursue his Personal Legend. Melchizedek gives him two stones, Urim and Thummim, to help him read omens. Santiago sells his sheep and embarks on his journey to Africa.

Part One

"I don't live in the past or in the future. I am interested only in the present. If you can concentrate always on the present, you'll be a happy man."

"Everything that happens once can never happen again. But everything that happens twice will surely happen a third time."

"It taught me, above all, the importance of listening to the heart, of recognizing omens, and of always following our dreams."

Santiago finally reaches the pyramids, but after digging for a long time, he finds no treasure. He is attacked and robbed by refugees, and during the attack, one of them inadvertently reveals the location of the real treasure: back in the abandoned church in Andalusia where Santiago had his initial dream.

The Pyramids and the Treasure

The caravan reaches the oasis of Al-Fayoum, a neutral territory. Santiago falls deeply in love with Fatima, a woman of the desert. He also encounters the Alchemist, a wise and powerful man who tests Santiago's courage and teaches him about the language of the world and the importance of listening to his heart.

The Oasis and Fatima

Santiago returns to the abandoned church in Andalusia and finds the treasure buried beneath the sycamore tree where he had his dream. He understands that his journey itself was the treasure, allowing him to find love, wisdom, and a deeper connection to the Soul of the World. He plans to return to Fatima.

The Return to Andalusia

"The present is where the eternal touch is found."

"The book insisted on speaking to the soul of each reader, reminding them that life has a purpose, a direction, a destiny – which I came to call a 'Personal Legend.'"

Santiago joins a caravan crossing the Sahara Desert in search of the treasure. He meets an Englishman who is traveling to find an alchemist and learns about alchemy, the Soul of the World, and the Master Work. The journey is long and filled with omens and the constant threat of tribal wars.

The Caravan Across the Desert

"Every blessing ignored becomes a curse." (The old man's wisdom Santiago remembers)

Santiago leaves the oasis with the Alchemist to continue his journey to the pyramids. The Alchemist teaches him profound lessons about the Soul of the World, the interconnectedness of all things, and the importance of facing fear. They encounter tribal wars and are captured, where Santiago must demonstrate his understanding of alchemy.

Part Two: The Journey with the Alchemist

"Love never keeps a man from pursuing his Personal Legend. If he abandons that pursuit, it's because it wasn't true love... the love that speaks the Language of the World."

Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist (10th Edition) is a timeless allegory about pursuing one’s dreams and discovering personal destiny. Following Santiago, a shepherd on a journey to find treasure, the book explores themes of self-discovery, resilience, and the interconnectedness of life. With poetic prose and universal wisdom, Coelho inspires readers to listen to their hearts and embrace the adventure of life. This edition celebrates the enduring magic of a story that transcends generations...

A special 25th anniversary edition of the extraordinary international bestseller, including a new Foreword by Paulo Coelho.Combining magic, mysticism, wisdom and wonder into an inspiring tale of self-discovery, The Alchemist has become a modern classic, selling millions of copies around the world and transforming the lives of countless readers across generations.Paulo Coelho's masterpiece tells the mystical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure. His quest will lead him to riches far different—and far more satisfying—than he ever imagined. Santiago's journey teaches us about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, of recognizing opportunity and learning to read the omens strewn along life's path, and, most importantly, to follow our dreams.

philosophy

Philosophy

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Religion & Spirituality

personaldevelopment

Personal Development

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Motivation & Inspiration

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Books

Paulo Coelho de Souza is a Brazilian lyricist and novelist and a member of the Brazilian Academy of Letters since 2002. His novel The Alchemist became an international best-seller and he has published 30 more books since then.

PAULO COELHO

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