When we love, we always try to become better… It’s a simple but profound truth. This idea suggests that love isn’t passive; it’s the ultimate catalyst for personal growth. And that growth? It ripples out and transforms our entire world.
Share Image Quote:At its core, this quote means that genuine love is an active force for self-improvement, and that by improving ourselves, we inevitably elevate our surroundings.
Let me break this down a bit. I’ve seen this play out so many times, in business, in relationships, everywhere. The initial spark of love—whether for a person, a passion, or a purpose—creates this internal demand for growth. You want to be worthy of it, to be more present, more skilled, more patient. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about striving. And here’s the magic part, the part most people miss. When you commit to that path, you’re not just changing in a vacuum. Your increased patience makes your team more collaborative. Your newfound passion inspires your friends. Your commitment to health improves your family’s habits. You literally become a node of positive change. The world around you gets better because you are getting better.
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | Portuguese (369) |
| Category | Love (89) |
| Topics | growth (413), improvement (20), love general (86) |
| Literary Style | philosophical (434) |
| Emotion / Mood | inspiring (392) |
| Overall Quote Score | 86 (262) |
This one is correctly attributed to Paulo Coelho. It comes straight from his 2005 novel, The Zahir. You sometimes see it floating around anonymously, but it’s 100% his. Published originally in Portuguese, it quickly became a global phenomenon, which is why the sentiment feels so universal.
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Paulo Coelho (368) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | The Zahir (25) |
| Origin Timeperiod | Contemporary (1615) |
| Original Language | Portuguese (369) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
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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| Quotation | When we love, we always try to become better than we are. When we strive to become better, everything around us becomes better too |
| Book Details | Publication Year: 2005 (Brazil); ISBN: 978-0-06-083281-0; Latest Edition: HarperCollins 2006; 336 pages. |
| Where is it? | Approximate page 262, Chapter: The Light of Love |
In the book, this isn’t just a pretty line. The narrator is on a journey to find his missing wife, his “Zahir,” and this thought hits him as he understands that true love isn’t about possession. It’s about this reciprocal evolution. He realizes that his love for her forced him to confront his own flaws and grow, and that this process of becoming better was the real gift of their relationship all along.
So, how do you actually use this? It’s a powerful reframe.
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Theme | Wisdom (1754) |
| Audiences | believers (72), leaders (2619), seekers (406), students (3111) |
| Usage Context/Scenario | leadership coaching (130), motivational speeches (345), relationship talks (32), spiritual writing (27) |
Question: Does this only apply to romantic love?
Answer: Absolutely not. That’s the beauty of it. It works with love for your craft, love for your family, love for humanity, even a deep love for learning. Any deep, motivating affection can trigger this effect.
Question: What if you try to become better, but nothing around you changes?
Answer: Great question. I’d say look closer. The changes can be subtle at first. A slightly less stressful home environment. A colleague who starts mirroring your positive attitude. It’s a ripple, not a tidal wave. And sometimes, the biggest change is simply that you perceive your world as better because you’re no longer seeing it through a lens of frustration or stagnation.
Question: Isn’t this a bit… selfish? Shouldn’t we try to be better for others?
Answer: It’s the opposite of selfish. The quote argues that the most profound way to help others is to work on yourself. You can’t pour from an empty cup. By filling your own cup through growth, you have more to give, and you inspire others to fill their own. It’s a virtuous cycle.
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