Courage
“I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning how to sail my ship.”
Louisa May Alcott (1832–1888)
Little Women
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 20
- 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)
- Courage
“To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage.”
Confucius (551–479 BC)
The Analects, Book II (trans. James Legge)
- Courage
“The wise are free from perplexities; the virtuous from anxiety; and the bold from fear.”
Confucius (551–479 BC)
The Analects, Book IX (trans. James Legge)
- Courage
“Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
Self-Reliance
- Courage
“To be great is to be misunderstood.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
Self-Reliance
- Courage
“Whoso would be a man, must be a nonconformist.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
Self-Reliance
- Courage
“He has not learned the lesson of life who does not every day surmount a fear.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
Courage
- Courage
“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.”
Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
Walden
- Courage
“Nothing is so much to be feared as fear.”
Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
Journal (1851)
- Courage
“Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith, let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it.”
Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865)
Cooper Union Address (1860)
- Courage
“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear—not absence of fear.”
Mark Twain (1835–1910)
Pudd'nhead Wilson
- Courage
“I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning how to sail my ship.”
Louisa May Alcott (1832–1888)
Little Women
- Courage
“Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.”
William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
Measure for Measure
- Courage
“Men at some time are masters of their fates.”
William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
Julius Caesar
- Courage
“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.”
Charlotte Brontë (1816–1855)
Jane Eyre
- Courage
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena.”
Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919)
Citizenship in a Republic (1910)
- Courage
“No bird soars too high, if he soars with his own wings.”
William Blake (1757–1827)
The Marriage of Heaven and Hell
- Courage
“The mountains are calling and I must go.”
John Muir (1838–1914)
Letter to his sister Sarah (1873)
- Courage
“Any one can hold the helm when the sea is calm.”
Publilius Syrus (1st century BC)
Moral Sayings (trans. Darius Lyman)
- Courage
“I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.”
William Ernest Henley (1849–1903)
Invictus
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