You know, we waste years fearing a gate that opens when we push. It’s one of those simple truths that hits you right between the eyes once you finally get it. The barrier isn’t the gate itself, but our own hesitation to even try.
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Meaning
At its core, this quote means that the obstacles we build in our minds are almost always more formidable than the actual, physical obstacles we face in reality.
Explanation
Let me break this down for you. I’ve seen this play out so many times, in business, in life. We stand there, staring at this huge, imposing gate. It looks heavy. Locked. Impenetrable. We imagine the complex mechanisms, the strength required, the sound it will make. We build an entire story around this gate. So we don’t push. We wait. We plan. We fret. We waste years. But the secret—the real secret—is that most of these gates aren’t even locked. They’re just heavy. They require a push. A little courage. A little effort. And they swing open. The tragedy isn’t the gate; it’s the time we lost being afraid of it. The real barrier was our own narrative.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | Portuguese (369) |
| Category | Emotion (177) |
| Topics | action (112), fear (92), opportunity (17) |
| Literary Style | aphoristic (181), provocative (37) |
| Overall Quote Score | 66 (27) |
Origin & Factcheck
This gem comes straight from Paulo Coelho’s 1987 book, “The Pilgrimage.” It’s his first book, written in Brazil, chronicling his own journey along the Camino de Santiago. You’ll sometimes see it misattributed to other self-help gurus or motivational speakers, but its true home is firmly within Coelho’s spiritual travelogue.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Paulo Coelho (368) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | The Pilgrimage (38) |
| 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 | We waste years fearing a gate that opens when we push |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 1987; ISBN: 9780061687457; Last edition: HarperOne 2009; Number of pages: 288. |
| Where is it? | Approximate chapter: The Gate; Edition 2009; NeedVerification – page range ~130–134 |