I'm not doing anything, and yet I'm also doing the most important thing a man can do: I'm listening to what I needed to hear from myself.
Only children believe they're capable of everything.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that children possess an innate belief in their limitless potential, a perspective that often fades with age.
Paulo Coelho's quote reflects on the unique perspective of childhood where imagination and confidence know no bounds. It implies that as people grow older, they may lose this unwavering belief in their capabilities, often conforming to societal expectations and limitations. In essence, the quote encourages a re-examination of our beliefs about what we can achieve, suggesting that embracing a childlike confidence can lead to greater fulfillment and creativity.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech to encourage innovation and creativity in the workplace.
More from Paulo Coelho
All quotes βEach stone, each bend cries welcome to him. He identifies with the mountains and the streams, he sees something of his own soul in the plants and the animals and the birds of the field.
We need to clear our minds of bad thoughts.
Having the courage to take the steps we always wanted to take is the only way of showing that we trust in God.
The fool who loves giving advice on our garden never tends his own plants
Sometimes the Warrior feels as if he were living two lives at once.
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I went down to the river, I set down on the bank. I tried to think but couldn't, So I jumped in and sank.
One who not merely beholds the outward shows of things, but catches a glimpse of the soul that looks out of them, whose garment and revelation they are-if he be such, I say, he will stand, for more than a moment, speechless with something akin to that which made the morning stars sing together.
Canada is either an idea or it does not exist. It is either an intellectual undertaking or it is little more than a resource-rich vacuum lying in the buffer zone just north of a great empire.
I have faith in the Torah. I am not afraid of truth.
I didn't have to scramble up and down the ladder from despair to euphoria anymore, trying to convince myself that life was either painful and terrible or joyous and wonderful. The simple truth was that life was both. p 214