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
They went to university because someone, at a time when universities seemed important, said that in order to rise in the world, you had to have a degree. And thus the world was deprived of some excellent gardeners, bakers, antique dealers, sculptors, and writers.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote critiques the societal belief that a university degree is essential for success, suggesting it overlooks other valuable skills.
Paulo Coelho's quote highlights the societal pressure to attain university degrees as a prerequisite for success, arguing that this conventional path has led to the neglect of various other talents and skills. He suggests that if society didn't overly emphasize formal education, it might have seen the rise of more diverse and possibly greater contributions from individuals pursuing their true passions, such as gardening, baking, or writing, instead of conforming to traditional expectations.
Themes
EducationDegreeSuccessIndividualitySociety
In practice
Example use cases
In a graduation speech, one might use this quote to remind students that success isn't solely dependent on formal education.
More from Paulo Coelho
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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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The fool who loves giving advice on our garden never tends his own plants
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Sometimes the Warrior feels as if he were living two lives at once.
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