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

“They also serve who only stand and wait.”

John Milton (1608–1674)

Sonnet 19

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

Motivational quotes 22

  1. 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)

  2. Hope

    “Is virtue a thing remote? I wish to be virtuous, and lo! virtue is at hand.”

    Confucius (551–479 BC)

    The Analects, Book VII (trans. James Legge)

  3. Hope

    “Hitch your wagon to a star.”

    Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)

    Civilization

  4. Hope

    “Every wall is a door.”

    Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)

    The Sovereignty of Ethics

  5. Hope

    “The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.”

    Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)

    History

  6. Hope

    “If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.”

    Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)

    Walden

  7. Hope

    “Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads.”

    Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)

    Walden

  8. Hope

    “Only that day dawns to which we are awake. There is more day to dawn. The sun is but a morning star.”

    Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)

    Walden

  9. Hope

    “We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us in our soundest sleep.”

    Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)

    Walden

  10. Hope

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

    William Shakespeare (1564–1616)

    All's Well That Ends Well

  11. Hope

    “Hope springs eternal in the human breast.”

    Alexander Pope (1688–1744)

    An Essay on Man

  12. Hope

    “They also serve who only stand and wait.”

    John Milton (1608–1674)

    Sonnet 19

  13. Hope

    “If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?”

    Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822)

    Ode to the West Wind

  14. Hope

    “'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.”

    Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809–1892)

    In Memoriam A. H. H.

  15. Hope

    “Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be.”

    Robert Browning (1812–1889)

    Rabbi Ben Ezra

  16. Hope

    “Be still, sad heart! and cease repining; behind the clouds is the sun still shining.”

    Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–1882)

    The Rainy Day

  17. Hope

    “"Hope" is the thing with feathers – that perches in the soul – and sings the tune without the words – and never stops – at all –”

    Emily Dickinson (1830–1886)

    "Hope" is the thing with feathers

  18. Hope

    “To make a prairie it takes a clover and one bee, one clover, and a bee, and revery. The revery alone will do, if bees are few.”

    Emily Dickinson (1830–1886)

    To make a prairie it takes a clover and one bee

  19. Hope

    “I dwell in Possibility –”

    Emily Dickinson (1830–1886)

    I dwell in Possibility

  20. Hope

    “We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”

    Oscar Wilde (1854–1900)

    Lady Windermere's Fan

  21. Hope

    “Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact.”

    William James (1842–1910)

    Is Life Worth Living?

  22. Hope

    “It is always darkest just before the day dawneth.”

    Thomas Fuller (1608–1661)

    A Pisgah-Sight of Palestine

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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