Life is too short, or too long… that’s the brilliant paradox Coelho hits us with right out of the gate. It’s a wake-up call about the quality of our days, not the quantity. He’s saying that a badly lived life is a luxury none of us can afford, no matter how much time we have.
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Meaning
At its core, this quote is about radical responsibility for the quality of your own existence. It’s a refusal to accept a mediocre or “badly lived” life as an inevitability.
Explanation
Let’s break this down, because it’s deceptively simple. “Life is too short” we all get. We feel that pressure, the ticking clock. But “or too long”? That’s the real genius here. Think about it. If you’re miserable, if you’re just going through the motions, every single day can feel like an eternity. A long, drawn-out sentence. That’s the “too long” part. It’s the profound weariness of a life not aligned with who you are.
And calling a badly lived life a “luxury”? That’s the gut punch. We often think of luxury as something positive, an indulgence. But Coelho flips it. He’s saying that staying stuck, living without passion or purpose, is an indulgence in fear. It’s a privilege you grant yourself to avoid the hard work of change. And it’s a privilege that costs you everything.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | Portuguese (369) |
| Category | Life (320) |
| Topics | choice (55), life general (13), purpose (186) |
| Literary Style | direct (414), poetic (635) |
| Emotion / Mood | reflective (382), urgent (23) |
| Overall Quote Score | 86 (262) |
Origin & Factcheck
This line comes straight from Paulo Coelho’s 1998 novel, Veronika Decides to Die. It’s a key theme of the book. You’ll sometimes see it floating around online attributed to other self-help gurus, but its true home is in that powerful work of fiction, which is deeply informed by Coelho’s own spiritual journey and his time in mental institutions when he was younger.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Paulo Coelho (368) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | Veronika Decides to Die (26) |
| Origin Timeperiod | Contemporary (1615) |
| Original Language | Portuguese (369) |
| Authenticity | Verified (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?
| Quotation | Life is too short, or too long, for me to allow myself the luxury of living it so badly |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 1998; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 978-0-06-112426-6; Last edition: HarperCollins (2006), 240 pages. |
| Where is it? | Chapter: The Letter, Section: Veronika’s Note, NeedVerification – Edition 2006, page range ~15–17 |