Quote of the day by The Alchemist author Paulo Coelho: ‘When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too’

Paulo Coelho’s words often feel less like quotes and more like quiet nudges to rethink life. He once said, “When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.” When he says that striving to become better makes everything around us better too, it hits because it sounds simple, yet deeply personal. It reflects a belief that change does not begin with the world, but with the individual. That idea has shaped not just his writing but also his unconventional life journey, which continues to inspire readers across generations.

Paulo Coelho, the author of the international best-selling book The Alchemist, once said that when we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too. At its core, this thought suggests that personal growth creates a ripple effect. When someone works on their mindset, discipline, compassion, or purpose, their relationships improve, opportunities expand, and even challenges begin to look different. Coelho’s quote is not about chasing perfection. It is about inner effort and how that effort quietly reshapes the world around us.

Born on 24 August 1947 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Paulo Coelho de Souza grew up with a strong pull towards creativity. However, on his parents’ wishes, he enrolled in law school, setting aside his dream of becoming a writer. That path did not last long. Within a year, he dropped out and chose a radically different life, embracing the freedom of a hippie lifestyle. He travelled extensively through South America, North Africa, Mexico, and Europe, experiences that later became the emotional backbone of his writing.

Before finding global fame as a novelist, Coelho explored multiple creative fields. He worked as a director, theatre actor, songwriter, and journalist, constantly searching for meaning and direction. A defining moment came in 1986, when a special meeting led him to undertake the pilgrimage to Saint James Compostela in Spain. This journey, known as the Road to Santiago, became a turning point in his life. It was not just a physical pilgrimage but a spiritual awakening that pushed him towards writing with renewed clarity and purpose.
A year later, he wrote The Pilgrimage, an autobiographical novel that marked the true beginning of his literary career. This was followed by The Alchemist in 1988, a book that transformed him into an international phenomenon. The novel went on to become one of the most widely read books in history, resonating with readers through its message of following one’s personal legend and listening to the heart.