Old things Quote by Paulo Coelho
““Passion makes a person stop eating, sleeping, working, feeling at peace. A lot of people are frightened because, when it appears, it demolishes all the old things it finds in its path. No one wants their life thrown into chaos. That is why a lot of people keep that threat under control, and are somehow capable of sustaining a house or a structure that is already rotten. They are the engineers of the superseded. Other people think exactly the opposite: they surrender themselves without a second thought, hoping to find in passion the solutions to all their problems. They make the other person responsible for their happiness and blame them for their possible unhappiness. They are either euphoric because something marvelous has happened or depressed because something unexpected has just ruined everything. Keeping passion at bay or surrendering blindly to it - which of these two attitudes is the least destructive? I don't know.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho, 1988
Passion can disrupt stability, yet suppressing it also stifles growth; the challenge is balancing intensity with order.
In simple terms: Passion can both create chaos and be ignored.
Key Takeaway
Find a middle path that honors passion without losing stability.
Themes
balance
passion
stability
growth
risk
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
cautious
Type
advice
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- career decisions
- creative projects
- relationship dynamics
- personal development
- mental health
Key Concepts
psychology
motivation
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you channel passion constructively?
- What boundaries protect your well‑being?
A Different Perspective
Blind surrender may lead to burnout; total suppression can cause stagnation.
