Success
“Lives of great men all remind us we can make our lives sublime.”
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–1882)
A Psalm of Life
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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247 quotes match your filters · Press Space for the next one
Motivational quotes 247
- Happiness
“Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
Self-Reliance
- Courage
“To be great is to be misunderstood.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
Self-Reliance
- Success
“Insist on yourself; never imitate.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
Self-Reliance
- Courage
“Whoso would be a man, must be a nonconformist.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
Self-Reliance
- Change
“A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
Self-Reliance
- Success
“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
Circles
- Kindness
“The only way to have a friend is to be one.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
Friendship
- Happiness
“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
Works and Days
- Learning
“The years teach much which the days never know.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
Experience
- Hope
“Hitch your wagon to a star.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
Civilization
- Work
“The reward of a thing well done, is to have done it.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
New England Reformers
- Learning
“Every artist was first an amateur.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
Progress of Culture
- Hope
“Every wall is a door.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
The Sovereignty of Ethics
- Courage
“He has not learned the lesson of life who does not every day surmount a fear.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
Courage
- Kindness
“The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
Domestic Life
- Change
“All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
Journal (1842)
- Wisdom
“Character is higher than intellect.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
The American Scholar
- Success
“Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
Worship
- Hope
“The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
History
- Wisdom
“The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
Nature
- 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
- Kindness
“The only gift is a portion of thyself.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
Gifts
- 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
- 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
- Happiness
“Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify.”
Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
Walden
- Wisdom
“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach.”
Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
Walden
- Wisdom
“Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.”
Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
Walden
- 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
- Perseverance
“However mean your life is, meet it and live it; do not shun it and call it hard names.”
Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
Walden
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