Motivational Quotes

Find motivational quotes from writers and thinkers of the past, one at a time. Press Next for a new quote, or pick a theme that fits your day.

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Hope

“Our remedies oft in ourselves do lie, which we ascribe to heaven.”

William Shakespeare (1564–1616)

All's Well That Ends Well

247 quotes match your filters · Press Space for the next one

Motivational quotes 247

  1. Wisdom

    “Nothing, Lucilius, is ours, except time.”

    Seneca (c. 4 BC–AD 65)

    Moral Letters to Lucilius, Letter 1 (trans. Richard M. Gummere)

  2. Work

    “Hold every hour in your grasp. Lay hold of to-day's task, and you will not need to depend so much upon to-morrow's. While we are postponing, life speeds by.”

    Seneca (c. 4 BC–AD 65)

    Moral Letters to Lucilius, Letter 1 (trans. Richard M. Gummere)

  3. Happiness

    “It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor.”

    Seneca (c. 4 BC–AD 65)

    Moral Letters to Lucilius, Letter 2 (trans. Richard M. Gummere)

  4. Learning

    “Associate with those who will make a better man of you. Welcome those whom you yourself can improve. The process is mutual; for men learn while they teach.”

    Seneca (c. 4 BC–AD 65)

    Moral Letters to Lucilius, Letter 7 (trans. Richard M. Gummere)

  5. Courage

    “There are more things, Lucilius, likely to frighten us than there are to crush us; we suffer more often in imagination than in reality.”

    Seneca (c. 4 BC–AD 65)

    Moral Letters to Lucilius, Letter 13 (trans. Richard M. Gummere)

  6. Success

    “When a man does not know what harbour he is making for, no wind is the right wind.”

    Seneca (c. 4 BC–AD 65)

    Moral Letters to Lucilius, Letter 71 (trans. Richard M. Gummere)

  7. Happiness

    “Begin at once to live, and count each separate day as a separate life.”

    Seneca (c. 4 BC–AD 65)

    Moral Letters to Lucilius, Letter 101 (trans. Richard M. Gummere)

  8. Wisdom

    “No longer talk at all about the kind of man that a good man ought to be, but be such.”

    Marcus Aurelius (121–180)

    Meditations, Book X (trans. George Long)

  9. Kindness

    “The best way of avenging thyself is not to become like the wrong doer.”

    Marcus Aurelius (121–180)

    Meditations, Book VI (trans. George Long)

  10. Hope

    “Look within. Within is the fountain of good, and it will ever bubble up, if thou wilt ever dig.”

    Marcus Aurelius (121–180)

    Meditations, Book VII (trans. George Long)

  11. Change

    “The universe is transformation: life is opinion.”

    Marcus Aurelius (121–180)

    Meditations, Book IV (trans. George Long)

  12. Kindness

    “Adapt thyself to the things with which thy lot has been cast: and the men among whom thou hast received thy portion, love them, but do it truly, sincerely.”

    Marcus Aurelius (121–180)

    Meditations, Book VI (trans. George Long)

  13. Happiness

    “Confine thyself to the present.”

    Marcus Aurelius (121–180)

    Meditations, Book VII (trans. George Long)

  14. Kindness

    “Do not act as if thou wert going to live ten thousand years. Death hangs over thee. While thou livest, while it is in thy power, be good.”

    Marcus Aurelius (121–180)

    Meditations, Book IV (trans. George Long)

  15. Wisdom

    “Such as are thy habitual thoughts, such also will be the character of thy mind; for the soul is dyed by the thoughts.”

    Marcus Aurelius (121–180)

    Meditations, Book V (trans. George Long)

  16. Perseverance

    “Nothing happens to any man which he is not formed by nature to bear.”

    Marcus Aurelius (121–180)

    Meditations, Book V (trans. George Long)

  17. Change

    “Remember that to change thy opinion and to follow him who corrects thy error is as consistent with freedom as it is to persist in thy error.”

    Marcus Aurelius (121–180)

    Meditations, Book VIII (trans. George Long)

  18. Work

    “In the morning when thou risest unwillingly, let this thought be present—I am rising to the work of a human being.”

    Marcus Aurelius (121–180)

    Meditations, Book V (trans. George Long)

  19. Wisdom

    “If it is not right, do not do it: if it is not true, do not say it.”

    Marcus Aurelius (121–180)

    Meditations, Book XII (trans. George Long)

  20. Perseverance

    “The art of life is more like the wrestler's art than the dancer's, in respect of this, that it should stand ready and firm to meet onsets which are sudden and unexpected.”

    Marcus Aurelius (121–180)

    Meditations, Book VII (trans. George Long)

  21. Kindness

    “Men exist for the sake of one another. Teach them then or bear with them.”

    Marcus Aurelius (121–180)

    Meditations, Book VIII (trans. George Long)

  22. Perseverance

    “Be like the promontory against which the waves continually break, but it stands firm and tames the fury of the water around it.”

    Marcus Aurelius (121–180)

    Meditations, Book IV (trans. George Long)

  23. Success

    “Receive wealth or prosperity without arrogance; and be ready to let it go.”

    Marcus Aurelius (121–180)

    Meditations, Book VIII (trans. George Long)

  24. Wisdom

    “Take away thy opinion, and then there is taken away the complaint, "I have been harmed." Take away the complaint, "I have been harmed," and the harm is taken away.”

    Marcus Aurelius (121–180)

    Meditations, Book IV (trans. George Long)

  25. Wisdom

    “Men are disturbed not by the things which happen, but by the opinions about the things.”

    Epictetus (c. 50–c. 135)

    Enchiridion (trans. George Long)

  26. Happiness

    “Seek not that the things which happen should happen as you wish; but wish the things which happen to be as they are, and you will have a tranquil flow of life.”

    Epictetus (c. 50–c. 135)

    Enchiridion (trans. George Long)

  27. Learning

    “If you would improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid with respect to externals.”

    Epictetus (c. 50–c. 135)

    Enchiridion (trans. George Long)

  28. Success

    “First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.”

    Epictetus (c. 50–c. 135)

    Discourses, Book III (trans. George Long)

  29. Learning

    “It is impossible for a man to begin to learn that which he thinks that he knows.”

    Epictetus (c. 50–c. 135)

    Discourses, Book II (trans. George Long)

  30. Perseverance

    “It is difficulties which show what men are.”

    Epictetus (c. 50–c. 135)

    Discourses, Book I (trans. George Long)

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What this page does

Press Next and a new quote appears, with its author shown underneath. Every quote comes from classic, public-domain writing – words from philosophers, poets, scientists and leaders of the past that have lasted for generations.

Pick a theme to narrow things down, and copy any quote you want to keep. Short, wise and often surprisingly modern, these lines have helped readers through hard days for a very long time.

How to use it

  1. Pick a theme to see quotes on a topic that fits your mood, or leave it open for a mix.
  2. Press Next (or the Space bar) for a new quote.
  3. Read the author's name under each quote.
  4. Copy the quote to paste it into a note, card, message or presentation.

Ways to use a motivational quote

Start your morning

Read one quote before you check your messages. Write it at the top of your journal or planner and come back to it at the end of the day.

Quote of the day in class

Put a quote on the board and ask students what they think it means, whether they agree, and how it might apply to their week. Old words often start lively discussions.

Team meetings

Open a meeting or a training session with a short quote. It sets the tone in a few seconds and gives people something to think about.

Cards and notes

Graduations, new jobs, tough weeks and big exams all call for a few encouraging words. A classic quote says a lot in one line.

Speeches and essays

A well-chosen quote makes a strong opening or closing line. Credit the author when you use it.

Reflection and journaling

Ask yourself why a quote rings true, or where you disagree with it. Our writing prompts include journaling ideas if you want to go further.

Goals and fresh starts

New year, new job, new training plan? Pick a quote that matches what you're working toward and keep it where you'll see it every day – on your mirror, your desk or your lock screen.

Tips

  • Read it twice. Some older quotes use old-fashioned wording, and the meaning often lands on the second read.
  • Credit the author when you share a quote in writing or on social media.
  • Collect your favorites. Copy quotes you love into a notebook or a note on your phone.
  • Keep it visible. A quote on a sticky note by your desk does more than one you read once and forget.
  • Make it beautiful. Turn a short quote into decorative script with cursive letters.

Questions

Where do these motivational quotes come from?

They come from classic writing that is in the public domain – words by authors, thinkers and leaders who lived long ago. The author is shown with every quote.

Why only quotes from the past?

Classic public-domain quotes can be shared freely, and they have stood the test of time. Many still feel surprisingly modern.

Can I share these quotes?

Yes. Copy any quote and share it in a card, message, post or presentation. Please include the author's name.

Are the quotes correctly attributed?

We show the author for every quote and stick to classic sources. Famous lines are often credited to the wrong person online, so if you spot a mistake, please let us know.

Can I choose quotes on a certain topic?

Yes. Pick a theme and the quotes will match it. Press Next to move through them.

Can I use a quote in a speech or an essay?

Yes. Classic quotes make strong openings and closings. Put the words in quotation marks and name the author.

Is it free to use?

Completely free, with no sign-up. The site sets no cookies and doesn't track you.

Last updated October 2, 2026