“The secret of life, though, is to fall seven times and to get up eight times.”

— Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist (1988), introduction

About Paulo Coelho

Born 1947

Brazilian novelist and lyricist, author of 'The Alchemist', one of the most widely translated books by a living author.

“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

“Lovers need to know how to lose themselves and then how to find themselves again.”

“The soul of the world is nourished by people's happiness.”

“The wise man will live as long as he ought, not as long as he can.”

“In theory there is nothing to hinder our following what we are taught; but in life there are many things to draw us aside.”

“The better part of valour is discretion; in the which better part I have saved my life.”

“So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, so long lives this, and this gives life to thee.”

“We are such stuff as dreams are made on; and our little life is rounded with a sleep.”

“Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage.”