Dreaming is very pleasant as long as you’re not forced… isn’t that the truth? It’s a line that stops you cold because it exposes the comfortable lie we all tell ourselves. Let’s break down why this Coelho gem hits so close to home.
Share Image Quote:At its core, this quote is about the immense gap between fantasy and execution. It’s the stark difference between the idea of something and the grueling, messy work of making it real.
Okay, so here’s the thing I’ve seen time and again, both in my own life and with countless people I’ve worked with. The dream is safe. It’s perfect. In your mind, you’ve already accepted the Nobel Prize, launched the billion-dollar startup, written the masterpiece. There are no obstacles, no self-doubt, no logistical nightmares.
But the moment you’re “forced”—by a deadline, by a promise, by your own crumbling patience—to take that first step, the romance evaporates. You’re confronted with your own limitations. The dream was a beautiful, abstract painting; putting it into practice is like being handed a shovel and told to dig the foundation. It’s gritty. It’s unglamorous. And it’s where most people, frankly, give up. The pleasure is in the potential; the pain is in the process.
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | Portuguese (369) |
| Category | Success (341) |
| Topics | action (112), dreams (28), reality (19) |
| Literary Style | witty (99) |
| Emotion / Mood | reflective (382) |
| Overall Quote Score | 83 (302) |
This comes straight from Paulo Coelho’s 2005 novel, The Zahir. A lot of people mistakenly attribute deep-sounding quotes to Coelho, Mandela, or the Buddha, but this one is legitimately his. It was published as he was solidifying his status as a global storyteller exploring themes of pilgrimage and personal legend.
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Paulo Coelho (368) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | The Zahir (25) |
| Origin Timeperiod | Contemporary (1615) |
| Original Language | Portuguese (369) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Paulo Coelho(1947) is a world acclaimed novelist known for his writings which covers spirituality with underlying human emotion with a profound storytelling. His transformative pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago inspired his breakthrough book, The Pilgrimage which is soon followed by The Alchemist< which went on to become the best seller. Through mystical narratives and introspective style, Paulo Coelho even today inspires millions of people who are seeking meaning and purpose in their life
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| Quotation | Dreaming is very pleasant as long as you are not forced to put your dreams into practice |
| Book Details | Publication Year: 2005 (Brazil); ISBN: 978-0-06-083281-0; Latest Edition: HarperCollins 2006; 336 pages. |
| Where is it? | Approximate page 79, Chapter: The Reality of Dreams |
In the book, this thought comes from the narrator, a famous writer who is grappling with the emptiness of his success and the disappearance of his wife. He’s living the “dream” on the surface—fame, fortune—but it’s a hollow shell because he hasn’t been forced to do the real, difficult work on his own soul and his relationships. The quote is a moment of self-awareness about his own complacency.
You can use this as a gentle, powerful mirror for yourself and others.
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Theme | Wisdom (1754) |
| Audiences | entrepreneurs (1006), seekers (406), students (3111), writers (363) |
| Usage Context/Scenario | career reflection programs (1), creative workshops (32), motivational talks (410), personal growth writing (11) |
Question: Is Coelho saying dreaming is bad?
Answer: Not at all. He’s a huge proponent of dreams! He’s just highlighting the inherent tension. Dreams are the fuel, but action is the engine. Without the engine, you’re just sitting in a parked car with the radio on, imagining the road trip.
Question: What does “forced” really mean here?
Answer: It’s the catalyst. It could be external—a client deadline, a financial need. But the most powerful force is internal: your own decision to no longer accept the daydream. You force yourself to commit.
Question: How do I get past the unpleasant part of “putting dreams into practice”?
Answer: You reframe it. The “pleasant” dream is a fantasy; the “unpleasant” work is where you actually build self-respect, skill, and a result you can touch. The struggle ceases to be a barrier and becomes the very thing that makes the realized dream meaningful. You have to fall in love with the process, not just the outcome.
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