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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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)

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

Motivational quotes 22

  1. 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)

  2. 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)

  3. 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)

  4. 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)

  5. Kindness

    “What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.”

    Confucius (551–479 BC)

    The Analects, Book XV (trans. James Legge)

  6. Kindness

    “Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practises it will have neighbors.”

    Confucius (551–479 BC)

    The Analects, Book IV (trans. James Legge)

  7. Kindness

    “I will not be afflicted at men's not knowing me; I will be afflicted that I do not know men.”

    Confucius (551–479 BC)

    The Analects, Book I (trans. James Legge)

  8. Kindness

    “The only way to have a friend is to be one.”

    Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)

    Friendship

  9. Kindness

    “The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it.”

    Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)

    Domestic Life

  10. Kindness

    “The only gift is a portion of thyself.”

    Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)

    Gifts

  11. Kindness

    “There is no remedy for love but to love more.”

    Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)

    Journal (1839)

  12. Kindness

    “Goodness is the only investment that never fails.”

    Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)

    Walden

  13. Kindness

    “With malice toward none, with charity for all.”

    Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865)

    Second Inaugural Address (1865)

  14. Kindness

    “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies.”

    Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865)

    First Inaugural Address (1861)

  15. Kindness

    “Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.”

    William Shakespeare (1564–1616)

    All's Well That Ends Well

  16. Kindness

    “How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world.”

    William Shakespeare (1564–1616)

    The Merchant of Venice

  17. Kindness

    “Let gentleness my strong enforcement be.”

    William Shakespeare (1564–1616)

    As You Like It

  18. Kindness

    “To err is human, to forgive, divine.”

    Alexander Pope (1688–1744)

    An Essay on Criticism

  19. Kindness

    “That best portion of a good man's life, his little, nameless, unremembered, acts of kindness and of love.”

    William Wordsworth (1770–1850)

    Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey

  20. Kindness

    “If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain.”

    Emily Dickinson (1830–1886)

    If I can stop one heart from breaking

  21. Kindness

    “What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult to each other?”

    George Eliot (1819–1880)

    Middlemarch

  22. Kindness

    “There is no charm equal to tenderness of heart.”

    Jane Austen (1775–1817)

    Emma

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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