# Quote — Paulo Coelho, Manuscript Found in Accra

> In a desperate attempt to give meaning to life, many turn to religion, because a struggle in the name of a faith is always a justification for some grand action, which could transform the world. ‘We are doing God’s work,’ they tell themselves. And they become devout followers, then evangelists, and finally, fanatics. They don’t understand that religion was created in order to share the mystery and to worship, not to oppress or convert others.

- Author: [Paulo Coelho](https://www.leafyquotes.com/paulo-coelho.md)
- Book: [Manuscript Found in Accra](https://www.leafyquotes.com/paulo-coelho/manuscript-found-in-accra.md)
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Paulo_Coelho#Manuscript_Found_in_Accra_(2012)) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/paulo-coelho/manuscript-found-in-accra/in-a-desperate

## More from this book

> Sometimes, when loneliness seems about to crush everything, the only way to resist is to keep on loving.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/paulo-coelho/manuscript-found-in-accra/sometimes-when-loneliness.md)

> We need to love. Even when it leads us to the land where the lakes are made of tears, to that secret, mysterious place, the land of tears!

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/paulo-coelho/manuscript-found-in-accra/we-need-to-love.md)

> Arrogance attracts hatred and envy. Elegance arouses respect and Love. Arrogance causes us to humiliate our fellow man or woman. Elegance teaches us to walk in the light. Arrogance complicates words, because it believes that intelligence is only for the chosen few. Elegance transforms complex thoughts into something that everyone can understand.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/paulo-coelho/manuscript-found-in-accra/arrogance-attracts-hatred.md)