We all need inspiration and motivation from time to time to overcome challenges, achieve our goals, and live our best lives. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of 50 inspirational quotes by famous people to help you stay motivated and inspired. From world leaders to artists, entrepreneurs to athletes, these quotes offer wisdom, insight, and encouragement to help you overcome obstacles and reach your full potential.
- “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs, Apple co-founder (2005)
- “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill, former British Prime Minister (1941)
- “The best way to predict your future is to create it.” – Abraham Lincoln, former U.S. President (1863)
- “Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.” – Sam Levenson, American humorist (1949)
- “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt, former U.S. President (1899)
- “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” – Thomas Edison, American inventor (1929)
- “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt, former First Lady of the United States (1945)
- “If you want to achieve greatness, stop asking for permission.” – Unknown
- “I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” – Jimmy Dean, American singer and actor (1981)
- “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.” – Mark Twain, American writer (1910)
- “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa (1993)
- “The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt, former U.S. President (1932)
- “Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today.” – Will Rogers, American actor and humorist (1920)
- “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” – Wayne Gretzky, Canadian hockey player (1983)
- “Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” – Joshua J. Marine, American author (2010)
- “I never dreamed about success, I worked for it.” – Estee Lauder, American businesswoman (1985)
- “The only way to do it is to do it.” – Amelia Earhart, American aviator (1937)
- “You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do.” – Henry Ford, American industrialist (1922)
- “The best revenge is massive success.” – Frank Sinatra, American singer and actor (1969)
- “It’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” – Abraham Lincoln, former U.S. President (1859)
- “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson, American philosopher (1841)
- “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” – Mark Twain, American writer (1904)
- Success is not how high you have climbed, but how you make a positive difference to the world.” – Roy T. Bennett, American author (2019
- “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” – Socrates, Greek philosopher (400 BC
- “You can’t let your failures define you. You have to let your failures teach you.” – Barack Obama, former U.S. President (2010
- “What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.” – Zig Ziglar, American author and motivational speaker (1975
- “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” – Confucius, Chinese philosopher (500 BC
- “Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.” – John D. Rockefeller, American industrialist (1908
- “I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear.” – Rosa Parks, American civil rights activist (1995
- “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” – Chinese prover
- “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” – Socrates, Greek philosopher (400 BC
- “If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.” – Albert Einstein, German physicist (1931
- “Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.” – Christian D. Larson, American author (1912
- “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.” – Malcolm X, American civil rights activist (1965
- “Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart.” – Roy T. Bennett, American author (2019
- “Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” – Dalai Lama, Tibetan spiritual leader (2006
- “The only way to do good work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs, Apple co-founder (2005
- “In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.” – Coco Chanel, French fashion designer (1923
- “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs, Apple co-founder (2005
- “Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” – Winston Churchill, former British Prime Minister (1953
- “I have a dream.” – Martin Luther King Jr., American civil rights activist (1963
- “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa (1993
- “The man who has confidence in himself gains the confidence of others.” – Hasidic prover
- “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson, American philosopher (1841
- “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi, Indian political leader (1930
- “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.” – Lewis Carroll, English author (1865
- “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa (1993
- “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson, American philosopher (1876
- “It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.” – William Shakespeare, English playwright (1601
- “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” – Wayne Gretzky, Canadian ice hockey player (1983)
These are just a few of the many inspiring quotes by famous people that have the power to motivate and encourage us to strive for greatness. When we read or hear these quotes, we are reminded of the potential we have within ourselves to achieve our goals and make a positive impact in the world.
We should always look to these words of wisdom as a source of inspiration and guidance. Remember to never give up on your dreams, stay true to yourself, and always believe in your abilities. As Oprah Winfrey once said, “The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams.” So go out there and make it happen!
