Quote 7
The alchemist said, "No matter what he does, every person on earth plays a central role in the history of the world. And normally he doesn't know it." (2.727)
Here's the story the alchemist told Santiago right before drawing this moral: a father dreamed that his poet son's words would be passed down through the ages, but it turns out his other son (hello, black sheep), a soldier, is the one whose words became famous. In other words, the alchemist is trying to show Santiago we may not be able to see a bigger picture, but following our dreams helps us to do our part in the big picture.
Quote 8
"Show me where there is life out in the desert. Only those who can see such signs of life are able to find treasure." (2.419)
We usually think of treasure as dead: gold, silver, and jewels aren't really going anywhere. But the alchemist tells Santiago that he must be able to find life in order to find his treasure. Hint hint—the treasure is more than just the objects; it's a state of mind or a relationship.
Quote 9
"God created the world so that, through its visible objects, men could understand his spiritual teachings and the marvels of his wisdom." (2.490)
The alchemist teaches Santiago that the entire natural world is just a big chalkboard full of lessons, and that human beings should find wisdom and knowledge by observing it. It doesn't matter if it's the desert or the jungle; God is showing himself through nature. And pay attention, because there's probably going to be a test.