“The crystal merchant taught him…” is one of those lines that hits you right in the gut. It’s not just a quote; it’s a bill for a life you’re already living.
Share Image Quote:Table of Contents
Meaning
The core, brutal truth here is that there is no such thing as a free dream. Inaction has a cost. Stagnation has a cost. Choosing the “safe” path isn’t a cost-free alternative to pursuing your dream; it’s just a different, often more insidious, kind of price tag.
Explanation
Let me break this down because I’ve seen this play out so many times. We think the choice is between paying the price for our dreams (the hard work, the risk, the potential failure) OR staying comfortable and paying nothing. Coelho flips that entirely. The crystal merchant in the story is the perfect example—a man who dreamt of going to Mecca but never did, because he was afraid that fulfilling his dream would leave him with nothing left to live for. So he stayed put. And the price he paid? A life of quiet resignation, a soul-deep regret that became the background hum of his entire existence. That’s the real kicker. The price of *not* pursuing your dream is the erosion of your spirit, the “what if” that never goes away. It’s a slow leak, not a sudden crash.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | Portuguese (369) |
| Category | Business (233) |
| Topics | dreams (28) |
| Literary Style | clear (348), narrative (32) |
| Emotion / Mood | reflective (382), sobering (17) |
| Overall Quote Score | 61 (22) |
Origin & Factcheck
This is 100% from Paulo Coelho’s 1988 novel, *The Alchemist*. It’s spoken by the narrator about the protagonist, Santiago, and his time working for the crystal merchant in Tangier, Morocco. You won’t find this as some ancient proverb, though it certainly carries that weight. It’s pure Coelho, distilling a complex life truth into a single, unforgettable sentence.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Paulo Coelho (368) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | The Alchemist (72) |
| 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
Official Website |Facebook | Instagram | YouTube |
Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | The crystal merchant taught him that dreams demand a price even when you choose not to pay it |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 1988; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 978-0061122415; Last edition: HarperOne (illustrated edition, 2014); Number of pages: 208. |
| Where is it? | Part Two, crystal shop arc, NeedVerification – Edition 2014, page range ~[58–74] |