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)
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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Motivational quotes 15
- Change
“The universe is transformation: life is opinion.”
Marcus Aurelius (121–180)
Meditations, Book IV (trans. George Long)
- 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)
- Change
“When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them.”
Confucius (551–479 BC)
The Analects, Book I (trans. James Legge)
- Change
“To have faults and not to reform them—this, indeed, should be pronounced having faults.”
Confucius (551–479 BC)
The Analects, Book XV (trans. James Legge)
- Change
“A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
Self-Reliance
- Change
“All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
Journal (1842)
- Change
“It is never too late to give up our prejudices.”
Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
Walden
- Change
“Things do not change; we change.”
Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
Walden
- Change
“Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbours, and let every new year find you a better man.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790)
Poor Richard's Almanack (1755)
- Change
“Habit is habit, and not to be flung out of the window by any man, but coaxed down-stairs a step at a time.”
Mark Twain (1835–1910)
Pudd'nhead Wilson
- Change
“What's past is prologue.”
William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
The Tempest
- Change
“We know what we are, but know not what we may be.”
William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
Hamlet
- Change
“The Child is father of the Man.”
William Wordsworth (1770–1850)
My Heart Leaps Up
- Change
“Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes.)”
Walt Whitman (1819–1892)
Song of Myself
- Change
“I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. (1809–1894)
The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table
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
- Pick a theme to see quotes on a topic that fits your mood, or leave it open for a mix.
- Press Next (or the Space bar) for a new quote.
- Read the author's name under each quote.
- 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