Our great goal in life is to accept Meaning Factcheck Usage
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Our great goal in life is to accept that love… is often misunderstood as a destination. We chase it like a finish line, but Coelho flips that entirely. It’s not about finding love and stopping; it’s about the journey you begin once you find it.

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Table of Contents

Meaning

The core message is a radical shift in perspective: love is not a trophy to be won and put on a shelf. It’s a practice. A continuous, active choice you make every single day.

Explanation

Let me break this down for you. Most of us are conditioned to see love as a state of being. You “fall in love” and you’ve arrived, right? The work is done. But that’s where relationships get stagnant. Coelho is saying that the “great goal” isn’t the state of being loved; it’s the acceptance that the real work, the real beauty, is in the walking. It’s in the daily acts of patience, understanding, and choosing your partner even on the tough days. The path itself is the point. The journey is the destination. It completely reframes what a successful relationship looks like—it’s not one without problems, it’s one where you’re both committed to walking the path together, forever.

Quote Summary

ContextAttributes
Original LanguagePortuguese (369)
CategoryLove (89)
Topicsacceptance (73), growth (413), journey (19)
Literary Stylephilosophical (434)
Emotion / Moodpeaceful (147)
Overall Quote Score82 (297)
Reading Level70
Aesthetic Score88

Origin & Factcheck

This wisdom comes straight from Paulo Coelho’s 2003 novel, Eleven Minutes. It’s a Brazilian novel that took the world by storm, and this quote is a central theme. You won’t find it in his more famous book, The Alchemist, though people often mix them up. This is pure Eleven Minutes.

Attribution Summary

ContextAttributes
AuthorPaulo Coelho (368)
Source TypeBook (4032)
Source/Book NameEleven Minutes (47)
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?

QuotationOur great goal in life is to accept that love is not an end but a path to walk forever
Book DetailsPublication Year: 2003 (Brazil); ISBN: 978-0-06-058928-8; Latest Edition: HarperCollins 2004; 288 pages.
Where is it?Approximate page 144, Chapter: The Path of Love

Authority Score96

Context

This hits so much harder when you see where it comes from. The book follows Maria, a young woman whose search for love leads her to a life of prostitution in Geneva. It’s a story about the distortion of love, the search for connection in the most disconnected of places. This quote emerges from that crucible—it’s the hard-won realization that the fantasy of “happily ever after” is a trap, and true fulfillment is in the ongoing, sometimes messy, process of loving.

Usage Examples

So how do you use this? Honestly, I come back to it all the time.

  • For couples in long-term relationships: It’s a mantra to reset expectations. When the initial spark dims, you remember you’re not failing; you’re just on the path. The goal is to keep walking together.
  • For someone feeling disillusioned with love: It’s a comfort. It means you haven’t “failed” to find love. You’re just learning what the real journey entails, which is far more rewarding than any fairy tale.
  • For personal growth: Apply it to self-love. It’s not about achieving a state of perfect self-acceptance, but about being on a continual path of treating yourself with kindness.

To whom it appeals?

ContextAttributes
ThemeWisdom (1754)
Audiencescouples (158), seekers (406), spiritual readers (12), writers (363)
Usage Context/Scenariomotivational talks (410), relationship counseling (67), romantic literature (2), self-growth workshops (9)

Share This Quote Image & Motivate

Motivation Score85
Popularity Score81
Shareability Score74

FAQ

Question: Does this mean love is supposed to be hard work all the time?

Answer: Not at all. The “path” has easy, joyful stretches and difficult, rocky ones. The work isn’t a grim slog; it’s the conscious attention you bring to the journey, which includes savoring the beautiful views along the way.

Question: What if my partner isn’t “walking the path” with me?

Answer: That’s the toughest part. This philosophy requires a mutual commitment to the journey. You can’t walk the path for two people. It often reveals whether you’re truly traveling together or on parallel, separate roads.

Question: Is this just about romantic love?

Answer: Great question. No, I don’t think so. This framework is powerful for familial love, deep friendships, and even your passion for your work. Any meaningful, enduring connection is a path you walk, not a finish line you cross.

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