It is the possibility of having a dream Meaning Factcheck Usage
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It is the possibility of having a dream… that’s the real engine of a meaningful life. It’s not the achievement itself, but the thrilling uncertainty of the chase that gives our days purpose and color.

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Table of Contents

Meaning

The core message here is that the potential for success is what fuels our passion, not the success itself. It’s the “what if” that gets us out of bed in the morning.

Explanation

Look, I’ve seen this play out so many times, in business and in life. The moment you remove the possibility—the moment a path becomes a dead end—the energy just drains away. It’s the anticipation, the journey, the struggle that’s actually interesting. Think about it. A movie where the hero is guaranteed to win from the start? Boring. It’s the risk of failure that makes the victory sweet. This quote is about embracing that entire process, the beautiful, frustrating, and utterly compelling process of pursuing something that might happen.

Quote Summary

ContextAttributes
Original LanguagePortuguese (369)
CategoryLife (320)
Topicshope (29), purpose (186)
Literary Styleminimalist (442), poetic (635)
Emotion / Moodoptimistic (116), reflective (382)
Overall Quote Score84 (319)
Reading Level55
Aesthetic Score88

Origin & Factcheck

This line comes straight from Paulo Coelho’s massively popular 1988 novel, The Alchemist. It’s a book originally written in Portuguese (‘O Alquimista’) in Brazil. You sometimes see it floating around unattributed, but it’s 100% Coelho.

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 the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting
Book DetailsPublication Year/Date: 1988; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 978-0061122415; Last edition: HarperOne (illustrated edition, 2014); Number of pages: 208.
Where is it?Part One, early reflection, NeedVerification – Edition 2014, page range ~[8–12]

Authority Score92

Context

In the book, this is the wisdom given to the shepherd boy, Santiago, early in his journey. He’s contemplating whether to abandon his safe, familiar life to go chase a literal treasure he saw in a dream. The quote is the argument for why he should go—because a life spent wondering “what if?” is a life half-lived.

Usage Examples

This isn’t just lofty philosophy; it’s a practical mindset. You can use it when:

  • Motivating a team: “Look, I don’t know if this new product will be a home run, but the possibility that it could change our industry is what makes coming to work exciting, right?”
  • Advising a hesitant friend: “Apply for the job. Even if you don’t get it, the simple act of trying, of having that door potentially open, makes you feel more alive than safely staying where you are.”
  • Personal reflection: Ask yourself: “What dream am I currently pursuing that makes my day-to-day life more interesting, simply by existing as a goal?”

To whom it appeals?

ContextAttributes
ThemeMeaning (164)
Audiencescoaches (1277), creators (124), educators (295), students (3111), writers (363)
Usage Context/Scenarioclassroom posters (15), graduation speeches (30)

Share This Quote Image & Motivate

Motivation Score86
Popularity Score94
Shareability Score92

Common Questions

Question: Does this mean the achievement doesn’t matter?

Answer: Not at all. The achievement is the destination, but the quote emphasizes that the road to that destination is where most of life is actually lived and experienced.

Question: What if my dream feels impossible?

Answer: The beauty is, it doesn’t have to feel 100% achievable. It just has to feel possible. That tiny, 1% chance is the spark. Nurture that spark, not the overwhelming odds.

Question: Is this just about big, life-changing dreams?

Answer: Great question. No, it scales down beautifully. It could be the possibility of finishing a 5k run, learning a song on the guitar, or mastering a new recipe. Any dream that adds a layer of anticipation and purpose to your routine counts.

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