The Alchemist - Passages from the Text

Passages from the text

Pg#s

Comments & Questions

“And dreams are the language of God. When he speaks in our language, I can interpret what he has said. But if he speaks in the language of the soul, it is only you who can understand. “

Pg.13

I think this was a great baseline message for the book and how things are going to turn out.  He really follows this quote throughout the desert.

“I only interpret dreams. I don’t know how to turn them into reality. That’s why I have to live off what my daughters provide me with.”

Pg.15

(Q)  I was kind of confused on what the last line meant.  I don’t know why he is living off his daughters.  Usually it is the other way around.

“Treasure is uncovered by the force of flowing water, and it is buried by the same currents… If you want to learn about your own treasure, you will have to give me one-tenth of your flock”

Pg.25

(R)This is a very pwoerful quote because its telling Melchizedek that you can lose your treasure just as fast and the same way you got it.  He Is learning to not take things for granted.

“The secret of happiness is to see all the marvels of the world, and never forget the drops of oil on the spoon.”

Pg.34

(P)I understood the first part of this quote but I didn’t undeerstand what the last part meant.   I want to believe that the drops of oil resemble all the significant moments along the way of the journey.

“I don’t want to change anything, because I don’t know how to deal with change. I’m used to the way I am. “

Pg.59

(E)This was said by Melchizedek and it kind of described him, he doesn’t like change and is very traditional.  I feel that this whole journey is to overcome his stubborness.

“There is a universal language, understood by everybody, but already forgotten. I am in search of that universal language, among other things. That’s why I’m here.”

Pg.73

(CL)  In this line Melchizedek really pours out what his true mission is throughout the book.  He explains what he is searching for.  He plans to find the universal language while in the desert.

“Maybe God created the desert so that man could appreciate the date trees.”

Pg.91

This doesn’t really have any purpose I just thought it was funny because of the fact that date trees are very popular in the middleeast but in America I bet half of the kids don’t even know what a date tree is.

“It’s not what enters men’s mouths that’s evil… It’s what comes out of their mouths that is.”

Pg.121

(R)  I thought this was another important quote in the book because quotes like these are slowly making Melchizedek understand what he set out for in his journey.  Each one of these quotes in a cookie crumb to his final destination.

“There is only one way to learn…It’s through action. Everything you need to know you have learned through your journey. “

Pg.132

This was the anchor line that meant a lot in the story.  This was his destination throughout the whole book.  This quote solved his question.

“Where your treasure is, there also will be your heart.” 

Pg.168

(CL)The Author is saying to find treasure is to unlock true happiness within yourself.  With this unlocked everything else will fall into place.