Quote 1
"[. . . T]here is one great truth on this planet: whoever you are, or whatever it is that you do, when you really want something, it's because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. It's your mission on earth." (1.115)
Hm. Things are starting to get tricky here. First Melchizedek said that fate doesn't control people. Now he's saying that your desires aren't really your own, but come from the universe. So does that mean we're fated to want what we want? Doesn't that leave us out of control?
Quote 2
"And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." (1.118)
Ooh, ooh, we know. How about an unlimited supply of chocolate milkshakes and fries? Oh, wait. Maybe the old king was talking about a desire that goes beyond the after-school hunger pangs. He's saying that there's a deep desire in each of us to fulfill our dreams, and that if we'll go for it things will fall into place to help us achieve it.
Quote 3
"What's the world's greatest lie?" the boy asked, completely surprised.
"It's this: 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." (1.83-84)
When Melchizedek sees the book that Santiago is reading (we're pretty sure it's Dr. Zhivago), he says that it's irritating: it portrays its characters as helpless against the tide of history. The old man's message is that everyone can control their own lives and reach their goals, regardless of their circumstances. Here, anyone missing a pair of bootstraps?