It is one thing to feel you are Meaning Factcheck Usage
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“It is one thing to feel you are on the right path…” This quote from Paulo Coelho is a gentle but crucial reminder about the difference between personal conviction and dogmatic certainty.

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Meaning

The core message is about the distinction between healthy self-belief and the arrogance of believing your way is the only valid way for everyone.

Explanation

Look, I’ve seen this play out so many times. In business, in personal development, everywhere. That initial spark of “Yes, this is my purpose!” is incredible. It’s fuel. But there’s a trapdoor right there. The moment you start thinking your path is the *only* path, you stop learning. You become rigid. You start dismissing other people’s journeys, and honestly, you cut yourself off from a universe of other possibilities that could actually enhance your own. It’s the difference between walking with confidence and building walls.

Quote Summary

ContextAttributes
Original LanguagePortuguese (369)
CategoryWisdom (385)
Topicshumility (61)
Literary Styleaphoristic (181), balanced (59)
Emotion / Mooddetermined (116), general (55)
Overall Quote Score69 (33)
Reading Level55
Aesthetic Score80

Origin & Factcheck

This wisdom comes straight from Paulo Coelho’s 1988 novel, The Alchemist. It’s a Brazilian book that became a global phenomenon. You’ll sometimes see it misattributed to various spiritual leaders or self-help gurus, but its true home is in Coelho’s allegorical tale about a shepherd’s journey to find his treasure.

Attribution Summary

ContextAttributes
AuthorPaulo Coelho (368)
Source TypeBook (4032)
Source/Book NameThe Alchemist (72)
Origin TimeperiodContemporary (1615)
Original LanguagePortuguese (369)
AuthenticityVerified (4032)

Author Bio

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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Where is this quotation located?

QuotationIt is one thing to feel you are on the right path, another to think yours is the only path
Book DetailsPublication Year/Date: 1988; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 978-0061122415; Last edition: HarperOne (illustrated edition, 2014); Number of pages: 208.
Where is it?Part Two, desert counsel, NeedVerification – Edition 2014, page range ~[106–114]

Authority Score85

Context

In the book, this isn’t just abstract philosophy. The main character, Santiago, is on a literal path—a journey to find his “Personal Legend.” The quote surfaces as a warning against the kind of fanaticism that can derail a seeker, reminding him that the universe speaks in many languages and that destiny can be fulfilled through countless, unique routes.

Usage Examples

This is a powerhouse quote for so many situations. I use it as a mental check-in.

  • For a team leader: Reminding your team that while you’re confident in the current strategy (the “right path”), you’re open to new data and alternative approaches from them (it’s not the “only path”).
  • For someone in a debate: It helps de-escalate. You can affirm your position is right *for you* without invalidating the other person’s entire worldview.
  • For personal growth: When you catch yourself judging someone else’s life choices—their career, their relationships—this quote is a nudge to refocus on your own journey with humility.

To whom it appeals?

ContextAttributes
ThemeWisdom (1754)
Audiencesleaders (2620), parents (430), teachers (1125)
Usage Context/Scenarioschool assemblies (31)

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Motivation Score68
Popularity Score66
Shareability Score64

Common Questions

Question: Does this mean I shouldn’t be confident in my choices?
Answer: Not at all. Confidence is key. This is about adding a layer of humility and open-mindedness *on top* of that confidence. It’s the difference between “I’m right” and “I’m right, and you must be wrong.”

Question: How is this relevant in business?
Answer: Hugely. Companies with a single, rigid “only path” mentality get disrupted. The most agile and innovative ones have a strong vision (the right path) but remain endlessly curious about market shifts and new technologies (acknowledging other paths).

Question: Can you believe in absolute truth and still agree with this quote?
Answer: That’s the deep cut. I think so. You can hold a core truth for yourself while recognizing that the *journey* to understanding, or the application of that truth, can look vastly different for others. It’s more about the posture of the traveler than the destination itself.

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