I'm not doing anything, and yet I'm also doing the most important thing a man can do: I'm listening to what I needed to hear from myself.
Paulo CoelhoRead
Saying ‘No’ does not always show a lack of generosity and that saying ‘Yes’ is not always a virtue
Interpretation
Saying 'No' can be a sign of wisdom, while saying 'Yes' isn't inherently good.
This quote by Paulo Coelho highlights the importance of context in decision-making. It suggests that declining requests can be a thoughtful and generous act, rather than a selfish one, and that not all affirmations are morally superior; sometimes saying 'Yes' can lead to unnecessary commitments that do not serve one's best interests or values.
In practice
In a team meeting discussing project commitments, one might quote this to encourage discernment in accepting new tasks.
I'm not doing anything, and yet I'm also doing the most important thing a man can do: I'm listening to what I needed to hear from myself.
Each stone, each bend cries welcome to him. He identifies with the mountains and the streams, he sees something of his own soul in the plants and the animals and the birds of the field.
We need to clear our minds of bad thoughts.
Having the courage to take the steps we always wanted to take is the only way of showing that we trust in God.
The fool who loves giving advice on our garden never tends his own plants
Sometimes the Warrior feels as if he were living two lives at once.
Talk, talk, talk: the utter and heartbreaking stupidity of words.
There never was a great soul that did not have some divine inspiration.
All good is born in prayer, and all good springs from it.
What a man's mind can create, man's character can control.
What is required is sight and insight- then you might add one more: excite.
The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.