--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Our imagination is larger than the world…" description: "\"Our imagination is larger than the world around us; we go beyond our limits. This used to be called 'witchcraft,' but fortunately things have changed, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b99/paulo-coelho-10_behavior_our-imagination-is-larger-than-the-world_752717.jpg" --- # Our imagination is larger than the world around us; we go… ![“Our imagination is larger than the world around us; we go beyond our limits. This used to be called 'witchcraft,' but fortunately things have changed, otherwise we would both already have been burned at the stake. When they stopped burning women, science found an explanation for our behavior…” quote by Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b99/paulo-coelho-10_behavior_our-imagination-is-larger-than-the-world_752717.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b99/paulo-coelho-10_behavior_our-imagination-is-larger-than-the-world_752717.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b99/paulo-coelho-10_behavior_our-imagination-is-larger-than-the-world_752717.jpg) > “Our imagination is larger than the world around us; we go beyond our limits. This used to be called 'witchcraft,' but fortunately things have changed, otherwise we would both already have been burned at the stake. When they stopped burning women, science found an explanation for our behavior, normally referred to as 'female hysteria.' We don't get burned anymore, but it does cause problems, especially in the workplace. But don't worry, eventually they'll call it 'wisdom.'” [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Imagination expands beyond societal limits; historically labeled as witchcraft or hysteria, now reframed as wisdom. **In simple terms:** Imagination breaks limits; society reinterprets it. Key Takeaway Cultivate imagination despite criticism. Themes creativity history gender Mood inspirational reflective Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - workplace innovation - personal growth - cultural change Key Concepts social constructs redefinition Questions to Reflect On - How can you protect creative ideas? - What label might you assign to your own insights? A Different Perspective Imagination may be dismissed or misunderstood in conservative settings. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Behavior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behavior/) [Female](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/female/) [Hysteria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hysteria/) [Imagination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagination/) [Limits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/limits/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Witch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/witch/) [Witchcraft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/witchcraft/) [Words of wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words-of-wisdom/) [Workplace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/workplace/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [Worry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worry/) ## Related quotes > [Female hysteria is a subject I'm very fond of. I always try to bring it in somewhere. For me, it is the finest part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-cusk/female-hysteria-is-a-subject-i-m-very-fond-of-i-always-try-to-bring/) [Rachel Cusk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-cusk/) > [Long ago when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks, it was called witchcraft. Today it's called golf.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-rogers/long-ago-when-men-cursed-and-beat-the-ground-with-sticks-it-was/) [Will Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-rogers/) > [On every full moon, rituals ... take place on hilltops, beaches, in open fields and in ordinary houses. Writers, teachers, nurses, computer programmers, artists,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/starhawk/on-every-full-moon-rituals-take-place-on-hilltops-beaches-in-open/) [Starhawk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/starhawk/) > [On every full moon, rituals such as the one described above take place on hilltops, beaches, in open fields and in ordinary houses. Writers,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/starhawk/on-every-full-moon-rituals-such-as-the-one-described-above-take-place/) [Starhawk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/starhawk/) > [I'm more straightforward, and I speak up more than I did before. When I was younger, I wouldn't speak up as much, but now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/britney-spears/i-m-more-straightforward-and-i-speak-up-more-than-i-did-before-when-i/) [Britney Spears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/britney-spears/) > [Things have changed very much, several times, since I grew up, and, like everyone in New York except the intellectuals, I have led several…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renata-adler/things-have-changed-very-much-several-times-since-i-grew-up-and-like/) [Renata Adler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renata-adler/) > [I'm happy to work. I know things have changed recently, but I tend to prefer film. I don't know what it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-jones/i-m-happy-to-work-i-know-things-have-changed-recently-but-i-tend-to/) [Evan Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-jones/) > [Sometimes I wonder what if this would have been different with us. What if we didnt live so far? what if we hadnt of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-i-wonder-what-if-this-would-have-been-different-with-us/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I like to think that I've grown as an actor and things have changed, and I think so.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maika-monroe/i-like-to-think-that-i-ve-grown-as-an-actor-and-things-have-changed/) [Maika Monroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maika-monroe/) > [“..I began speaking.. First, I took issue with the media's characterization of the post-Katrina New Orleans as resembling the third world as its poor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-sothern/i-began-speaking-first-i-took-issue-with-the-media-s-characterization/) [Billy Sothern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-sothern/) > [We now know how things were in the '60s and how things have changed, but I don't think we appreciate how much things have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karine-vanasse/we-now-know-how-things-were-in-the-60s-and-how-things-have-changed/) [Karine Vanasse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karine-vanasse/) > [A lot of things have changed in my life and for the best. I'm really happy about it. I'm just blessed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samir-nasri/a-lot-of-things-have-changed-in-my-life-and-for-the-best-i-m-really/) [Samir Nasri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samir-nasri/) > [Sometimes the littlest thing in life changes something forever and there will be times when you wish you can go back to how things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu/sometimes-the-littlest-thing-in-life-changes-something-forever-and/) [Ritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu/) > [Thankfully 'Uyir' happened. Things have changed for good since then.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sangeetha-krish/thankfully-uyir-happened-things-have-changed-for-good-since-then/) [Sangeetha Krish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sangeetha-krish/) > [Everything has changed and nothing has changed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-lowery/everything-has-changed-and-nothing-has-changed/) [Joseph Lowery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-lowery/) ## More by Paulo Coelho > [I have inside me the winds, the deserts, the oceans, the stars, and everything created in the universe. We were all made by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/i-have-inside-me-the-winds-the-deserts-the-oceans-the-stars-and/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [Love will never separate a man from his personal legend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/love-will-never-separate-a-man-from-his-personal-legend/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [The world has a soul and whoever understands that soul can also understand the language of many things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/the-world-has-a-soul-and-whoever-understands-that-soul-can-also/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [You dont choose your life; it chooses you. Theres no point asking why life has reserved certain joys or griefs, you just accept them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/you-dont-choose-your-life-it-chooses-you-theres-no-point-asking-why/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [To love is to be in communion with the other and to discover in that other the spark of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/to-love-is-to-be-in-communion-with-the-other-and-to-discover-in-that/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [It is not enough to dream of the Impossible Love - it is necessary to conquer it too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/it-is-not-enough-to-dream-of-the-impossible-love-it-is-necessary-to/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [Eat when it is time to eat. And walk when it is time to walk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/eat-when-it-is-time-to-eat-and-walk-when-it-is-time-to-walk/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [People are reading more and writing more because of the internet. So the virtual world is a way for me to listen to my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/people-are-reading-more-and-writing-more-because-of-the-internet-so/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [“Joy is like sex – it begins and ends. I want pleasure. I want to be contended, but happiness? I no longer fall into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/joy-is-like-sex-it-begins-and-ends-i-want-pleasure-i-want-to-be/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [“Trudi se da zivis, sjecanja su za starije ljude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/trudi-se-da-zivis-sjecanja-su-za-starije-ljude/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [I've always been a very restless person. 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There is only that moment, and the incredible certainty that everything under the sun has been written…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/the-past-and-the-future-become-unimportant-there-is-only-that-moment/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [She didn't need to understand the meaning of life; it was enough to find someone who did, and then fall asleep in his arms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/she-didn-t-need-to-understand-the-meaning-of-life-it-was-enough-to/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [“The simpler the pose, the better; the more sober, the more beautiful.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/the-simpler-the-pose-the-better-the-more-sober-the-more-beautiful/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) [Explore all 3,665 Paulo Coelho quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) ## More Behavior quotes > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I now know that deep within the human concept is something dark, selfish, and completely willing to do whatever is necessary to support the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-west/i-now-know-that-deep-within-the-human-concept-is-something-dark/) [Melissa West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-west/) > [“We are endowed with genes which code out our reaction to beavers and otters, maybe our reaction to each other as well. We are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-thomas/we-are-endowed-with-genes-which-code-out-our-reaction-to-beavers-and/) [Lewis Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-thomas/) > [The number of poor, and poorly prepared, students who succeed in college and beyond undercuts the simplistic notion that economic or educational disadvantage is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-merullo/the-number-of-poor-and-poorly-prepared-students-who-succeed-in/) [Roland Merullo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-merullo/) > [To behave creatively in art means behavior with skill; and skill comes from discipline, not derangement. The artist who knows the rules -and proportion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burne-hogarth/to-behave-creatively-in-art-means-behavior-with-skill-and-skill-comes/) Burne Hogarth > [You don't put milk in chamomile tea - that's disgusting behavior! That's not right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-fraser/you-don-t-put-milk-in-chamomile-tea-that-s-disgusting-behavior-that-s/) [Laura Fraser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-fraser/) > [The laws of thermodynamics, as empirically determined, express the approximate and probable behavior of systems of a great number of particles, or, more precisely,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-willard-gibbs/the-laws-of-thermodynamics-as-empirically-determined-express-the/) J. 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