Success
“Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
Worship
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 25
- 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)
- Success
“Receive wealth or prosperity without arrogance; and be ready to let it go.”
Marcus Aurelius (121–180)
Meditations, Book VIII (trans. George Long)
- 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)
- Success
“The man of virtue makes the difficulty to be overcome his first business, and success only a subsequent consideration.”
Confucius (551–479 BC)
The Analects, Book VI (trans. James Legge)
- Success
“What the superior man seeks, is in himself. What the mean man seeks, is in others.”
Confucius (551–479 BC)
The Analects, Book XV (trans. James Legge)
- Success
“Insist on yourself; never imitate.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
Self-Reliance
- Success
“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
Circles
- Success
“Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
Worship
- Success
“Our chief want in life is somebody who shall make us do what we can.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
Considerations by the Way
- Success
“Self-trust is the first secret of success.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
Success
- Success
“I learned this, at least, by my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”
Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
Walden
- Success
“Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790)
Poor Richard's Almanack (1735)
- Success
“Hide not your talents, they for use were made: what's a sun-dial in the shade?”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790)
Poor Richard's Almanack (1750)
- Success
“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing.”
Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865)
Letter to Isham Reavis (1855)
- Success
“Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em.”
William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
Twelfth Night
- Success
“Life affords no higher pleasure than that of surmounting difficulties, passing from one step of success to another, forming new wishes and seeing them gratified.”
Samuel Johnson (1709–1784)
The Rambler
- Success
“Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?”
Robert Browning (1812–1889)
Andrea del Sarto
- Success
“Lives of great men all remind us we can make our lives sublime.”
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–1882)
A Psalm of Life
- Success
“To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive, and the true success is to labour.”
Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894)
El Dorado
- Success
“A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.”
Francis Bacon (1561–1626)
Essays: Of Ceremonies and Respects
- Success
“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.”
Booker T. Washington (1856–1915)
Up from Slavery
- Success
“Great things are done when men and mountains meet.”
William Blake (1757–1827)
Notebook
- Success
“They can because they think they can.”
Virgil (70–19 BC)
Aeneid, Book V
- Success
“The spirit of self-help is the root of all genuine growth in the individual.”
Samuel Smiles (1812–1904)
Self-Help
- Success
“The secret of success is constancy to purpose.”
Benjamin Disraeli (1804–1881)
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