King Melchizedek's words of wisdom

This is an image of Melchizedek.
In The Alchemist, the old man/King Melchizedek of Salem teaches Santiago the concept of the World's Greatest Lie. When Santiago asks the King what the World's Greatest Lie is, the King responds saying "'[...] that at a certain point in our lives we lose control of what's happening to us, and our lives become controlled by fate. That's the world's greatest lie.'" This passage if the book leaves an everlasting impact on Santiago, and it dictates his life and decisions. He has believes in the King, and trusts his mind is powerful therefore following his words of wisdom.

The Alchemist, by Paulo Coehlo is a fasinating fable about a boy pursuing his dreams, and as discussed in my blog The World's Greatest Lie.



















Santiago's journey leads him to the beauty of the Egyptian pyramids in the Sahara Desert.

Relation to The Alchemist? What do I need to know about the World's Greatest Lie to understand the book?

In The Alchemist, the old man or King of Salem speaks of this philosophy to advise him that he never loses control of his own life. This allows Santiago to continue to pursue his Personal Legend using his will and determination, and to never give up and allow "fate" which does not exist to guide you. It allows Santiago to pursue his Personal Dream following omens and using his own mind. Santiago is tempted to let fate control his life sometimes yet he uses his knowledge and takes control. In Tangier when he is stolen from at the marker, he decides to return to being a shepherd and he begins to want to let fate take him back to his old life. The crystal merchant sets him back on the correct path. After this occurrence he is always confident in his decisions, he never gives up on his Personal Legend, and he follows the omens back to the place where he least expected his treasure to be, under the sycamore tree in Andalusia next to the destroyed abandoned Church where the story began. All readers must understand this concept that drives Santiago to his heart to lead him, not fate. This allows him to continue his journey, and find his treasure. Keep this in mind when you are reading the brilliant, inspiring fable, The Alchemist.

Sources

http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/design/images/earth.jpg Earth image
http://kirstyne.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/alchemist.jpg Book image
http://www.positiveonly.info/uploaded_pics/pyramids.jpg The desert image
http://www.photographyblog.com/images/photo_of_the_week/11170906/The%20Old%20Sycamore%20Tree.jpg Sycamore image
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mgholler/Caden/melchizedek.jpg King Melchizedek image

What is the World's Greatest Lie?

The World’s Greatest lie is a frequent theme in The Alchemist. The world’s greatest lie is that at one point in our lives, we lose all control and fate takes over. This universal philosophy is widely trusted but it is a lie. We have control over our own lives at all times and fate never takes over. It is used as an excuse for mistakes like failing a math test, “oh I failed that test because it was destiny.” This example is an instance of believing the world’s greatest lie. Their is no fate, but there is Personal Legend and the Soul of the World, which is that every person has a reason for being. In The Alchemist, the old man King Melchizidek teaches the young boy Santiago to never believe in the World’s Greatest Lie, and that you are always in control of your own destiny.

Why is the World's Greatest Lie so important? Why am I telling you about this?

Well, if you believe in the World’s Greatest Lie, you will rely on others to control your life, which sometimes will lead to a negative outcome. You must always live your own life like King Melchizidek advises in The Alchemist. I want everyone to understand the World’s Greatest Lie so the world will become a better place. We will control our own lives, and instead of believing that you have no control, you will take charge of your life and make something of it. If everyone does this, we will all live our lives to the fullest, and become a great nation. Also, to rightfully understand The Alchemist.