"Quel est le plus grand mensonge du monde ?... C'est ceci : qu'à un certain moment de notre vie, nous perdons le contrôle de ce qui nous arrive, et notre vie est alors dirigée par le destin."
— Paulo Coelho
Simplified Meaning:
Many people believe that at some stage in their life, they have no more control over what happens to them. They think that their path is determined completely by destiny or fate, leaving them powerless to change it. However, this isn't true. Consider the story of J.K. Rowling, who was once a struggling single mother before she wrote the "Harry Potter" series. Despite many rejections from publishers and facing significant hardships, she continued to write and eventually succeeded. Her story shows that we have the ability to influence our own lives even when circumstances seem tough. This quote encourages people to remember that they can always make choices and take actions that shape their future. It’s a reminder not to give up on directing your own life, regardless of the obstacles you face. Believing you have no control is the real illusion; you always have some power over your decisions and actions.