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.
Paulo CoelhoRead
Try to be "good", you'll be judged. Try to be yourself, you'll be criticized. Therefore, choose the second option. Evil uses the "nice good people" as puppets. It appears dressed as a poor guy, telling them that he needs help...When these people realize they have been used, it is already too late.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Be true to yourself rather than conforming to others' expectations, as authenticity is more important than being perceived as 'good'.
This quote emphasizes the importance of authenticity over conforming to societal expectations of goodness. Coelho suggests that trying to fit into the mold of what is considered 'good' can lead to manipulation and exploitation, as those who appear innocent may actually have ulterior motives. The path of genuine self-expression, despite potential criticism, is ultimately more fulfilling and safer than blindly adhering to external judgments.
Themes
AuthenticitySelf-ExpressionCriticismManipulationGoodness
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech about self-acceptance.
More from Paulo Coelho
All quotes →Each 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.
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We need to clear our minds of bad thoughts.
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Having the courage to take the steps we always wanted to take is the only way of showing that we trust in God.
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Sometimes the Warrior feels as if he were living two lives at once.
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