Paulo Coelho Manuscript found in Accra

My favorite quotes from the book:

In the cycle of nature there is no such thing as victory or defeat; there is only movement.

Losing a battle or losing everything we thought we possessed will bring us moment of sadness. But when those moments pass, we will discover the hidden strength that exists in each of us, a strength that will surprise us and increase our self-respect.

Younger people realize that the world is full of huge problems that they dream of solving, but no one is interested in their views. “You don’t know what the world is really like” they are told. “Listen to your elders and then you’ll have a better idea of what to do.” Older people have gained experience and maturity, and have learned about life’s difficulties the hard way, but when the moment comes for them to teach these things, no one is interested. “The world has changed” they are told. “You have to keep up to date and listen to the young".

We want to be like the mountains and the trees. Solid and respectable. Even though during the night, we wake up thinking: “I wish I was like the birds, who can visit Damascus and Baghdad and come back whenever they want to.”

Our great goal in life is to love. The rest is silence.

We don’t close our eyes to the Universe and then complain: “It’s dark.” No matter how you are feeling, get up every morning and prepare to let your light shine forth. Those with eyes to see will see your light and be enchanted by it.

What is success? It is being able to go to bed at night with your soul at peace.

Never let Obsession control you. If it tries to persuade you that taking on lots of jobs means having a productive life, say: ‘I need to look at the stars in order to feel inspired and to be able to do my job well.’