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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Courage

“He has not learned the lesson of life who does not every day surmount a fear.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)

Courage

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

Motivational quotes 247

  1. Perseverance

    “No great thing is produced suddenly, since not even the bunch of grapes or the fig is.”

    Epictetus (c. 50–c. 135)

    Discourses, Book I (trans. George Long)

  2. Learning

    “Every habit and faculty is maintained and increased by the corresponding actions.”

    Epictetus (c. 50–c. 135)

    Discourses, Book II (trans. George Long)

  3. Wisdom

    “No man is free who is not master of himself.”

    Epictetus (c. 50–c. 135)

    Fragments (trans. George Long)

  4. Happiness

    “He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.”

    Epictetus (c. 50–c. 135)

    Fragments (trans. George Long)

  5. Learning

    “Is it not pleasant to learn with a constant perseverance and application?”

    Confucius (551–479 BC)

    The Analects, Book I (trans. James Legge)

  6. Learning

    “Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.”

    Confucius (551–479 BC)

    The Analects, Book II (trans. James Legge)

  7. Learning

    “When we see men of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.”

    Confucius (551–479 BC)

    The Analects, Book IV (trans. James Legge)

  8. 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)

  9. Learning

    “When I walk along with two others, they may serve me as my teachers. I will select their good qualities and follow them, their bad qualities and avoid them.”

    Confucius (551–479 BC)

    The Analects, Book VII (trans. James Legge)

  10. 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)

  11. 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)

  12. Work

    “The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.”

    Confucius (551–479 BC)

    The Analects, Book XIV (trans. James Legge)

  13. 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)

  14. Wisdom

    “Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles.”

    Confucius (551–479 BC)

    The Analects, Book I (trans. James Legge)

  15. Change

    “When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them.”

    Confucius (551–479 BC)

    The Analects, Book I (trans. James Legge)

  16. Wisdom

    “The superior man wishes to be slow in his speech and earnest in his conduct.”

    Confucius (551–479 BC)

    The Analects, Book IV (trans. James Legge)

  17. 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)

  18. Learning

    “When you know a thing, to hold that you know it; and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it—this is knowledge.”

    Confucius (551–479 BC)

    The Analects, Book II (trans. James Legge)

  19. Wisdom

    “If a man take no thought about what is distant, he will find sorrow near at hand.”

    Confucius (551–479 BC)

    The Analects, Book XV (trans. James Legge)

  20. 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)

  21. Wisdom

    “The firm, the enduring, the simple, and the modest are near to virtue.”

    Confucius (551–479 BC)

    The Analects, Book XIII (trans. James Legge)

  22. 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)

  23. Work

    “I am not concerned that I have no place, I am concerned how I may fit myself for one.”

    Confucius (551–479 BC)

    The Analects, Book IV (trans. James Legge)

  24. 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)

  25. 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)

  26. Perseverance

    “The tree which fills the arms grew from the tiniest sprout; the tower of nine storeys rose from a small heap of earth; the journey of a thousand li commenced with a single step.”

    Lao Tzu (6th century BC (traditional))

    Tao Te Ching, chapter 64 (trans. James Legge)

  27. Wisdom

    “He who knows other men is discerning; he who knows himself is intelligent. He who overcomes others is strong; he who overcomes himself is mighty.”

    Lao Tzu (6th century BC (traditional))

    Tao Te Ching, chapter 33 (trans. James Legge)

  28. Wisdom

    “The highest excellence is like that of water.”

    Lao Tzu (6th century BC (traditional))

    Tao Te Ching, chapter 8 (trans. James Legge)

  29. Perseverance

    “There is nothing in the world more soft and weak than water, and yet for attacking things that are firm and strong there is nothing that can take precedence of it.”

    Lao Tzu (6th century BC (traditional))

    Tao Te Ching, chapter 78 (trans. James Legge)

  30. Courage

    “Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.”

    Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)

    Self-Reliance

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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