All posts tagged Paulo Coelho:
June 2010, Nelson Mandela returns to his cell
There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.
If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.
If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.
It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger.
Let freedom reign. The sun never set on so glorious a human achievement. Only free men can negotiate; prisoners cannot enter into contracts.
There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.
Your freedom and mine cannot be separated. There is no such thing as part freedom
When the water starts boiling it is foolish to turn off the heat.
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, born 18 July 1918
Source: Paulo Coelho Blog
The Story of the Pencil
Published:December 19, 2009
Source: Like the Flowing River by Paulo Coelho
A boy was watching his grandmother write a letter. At one point he asked:
‘Are you writing a story about what we’ve done? Is it a story about me?’
His grandmother stopped writing her letter and said to her grandson:
I am writing about you, actually, but more important than the words is the pencil I’m using. I hope you will be like this pencil when you grow up.’
Intrigued, the boy looked at the pencil. It didn’t seem very special.
‘But it’s just like any other pencil I’ve ever seen!’
‘That depends on how you look at things. It has five qualities which, if you manage to hang on to them, they will make you a person who is always at peace with the world.’
‘First quality: you are capable of great things, but you must never forget that there is a hand guiding your steps. We call that hand God, and He always guides us according to His will.’
‘Second quality: now and then, I have to stop writing and use a sharpener. That makes the pencil suffer a little, but afterward, it’s much sharper. So you, too, must learn to bear certain pains and sorrows, because they will make you a better person.
‘Third quality: the pencil always allows us to use an eraser to rub out any mistakes. This means that correcting something we did is not necessarily a bad thing; it helps to keep us on the road to justice.’
‘Fourth quality: what really matters in a pencil is not its wooden exterior, but the graphite inside. So always pay attention to what is happening inside you.’
‘Finally, the pencil’s fifth quality: it always leaves a mark. in just the same way, you should know that everything you do in life will leave a mark, so try to be conscious of that in your every action’
Got Dixon Ticonderoga No.2 ?!
From my friend, my idol, Paulo Coelho:
“Dear readers,
I wish to make a virtual exhibition for the 100 Million Copies sold. And invite you to participate.
Based on an idea that I saw in an exhibition in Aviles - dedicated to the 20th anniversary of my book The Alchemist -
I would like to extend it to the virtual space and invite you to take part.
The idea of this physical exhibition that I saw in Aviles (and that will be reproduced in Milan this week) is the following:
a reader would pose for a picture holding his/her favorite book of mine.
Please then take a picture of yourself holding your favorite book of mine and send to us.
You should include in your email your name and country and send it to the following email address:
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (don’t worry about the quality).
My team will be up-loading the pictures in this page throughout the year.
Love
Paulo”
100 million inspiring, moving, provocative books authored by the ‘Crazy Magician.’ Mr. Coelho has conquered every continent, not with the sword, but with the well chosen word. As one who gifts Paulo’s classic book, ‘The Alchemist’ at every opportunity, I can personally vouch for the fact that his books change lives. A hearty congratulations to you, Sir, and I am confident that 200 million is right around the corner!
And one more thing: if you have - and I know that you do - a Coelho classic, take a digi photo and send it to the email address above and become a part of Paulo’s beautiful, global quilt.
What’s your Red Rubber Ball?!
Books by KC
