There is a price to pay… and it’s a concept I’ve seen play out time and again. It’s not about the cost, but the value you get on the other side.
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Meaning
The core message is brutally simple: nothing of real value comes for free. Your dream, your calling, your “Personal Legend” as Coelho calls it—it demands a sacrifice. And here’s the kicker: that sacrifice isn’t a penalty; it’s the very thing that makes the dream worthwhile.
Explanation
Let me break this down for you. I used to think this quote was about gritting your teeth and enduring hardship. But after working with entrepreneurs and creators for years, I see it differently now. The “price” isn’t just hard work or sleepless nights—though that’s often part of it. It’s the comfort you give up. The stable job you leave, the weekends you spend building instead of relaxing, the fear you have to face head-on.
And the “worth it” part? That doesn’t magically appear when you “make it.” You feel it in the small wins. The pride in a problem solved. The person you become while striving for something bigger than yourself. That’s the real payoff. The dream is almost a byproduct of the person you have to become to achieve it.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | Portuguese (369) |
| Category | Success (341) |
| Topics | commitment (33) |
| Literary Style | concise (408), didactic (370) |
| Emotion / Mood | encouraging (304), resolute (28) |
| Overall Quote Score | 65 (29) |
Origin & Factcheck
This is straight from Paulo Coelho’s 1988 novel, The Alchemist. It’s a Brazilian book that became a worldwide phenomenon. You’ll sometimes see this quote, or ideas like it, misattributed to other self-help gurus or motivational speakers, but its true home is in Coelho’s classic tale about a shepherd boy chasing his destiny.
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
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Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | There is a price to pay for every dream, and it is worth 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, tests before treasure, NeedVerification – Edition 2014, page range ~[144–152] |