Kindness
“To err is human, to forgive, divine.”
Alexander Pope (1688–1744)
An Essay on Criticism
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
- Work
“The used key is always bright.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790)
Poor Richard's Almanack (1744)
- Learning
“Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790)
Poor Richard's Almanack (1755)
- Happiness
“Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790)
Poor Richard's Almanack (1749)
- Work
“Plough deep while sluggards sleep, and you shall have corn to sell and to keep.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790)
The Way to Wealth
- Work
“Trouble springs from idleness, and grievous toil from needless ease.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790)
The Way to Wealth
- Kindness
“With malice toward none, with charity for all.”
Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865)
Second Inaugural Address (1865)
- 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)
- Courage
“Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith, let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it.”
Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865)
Cooper Union Address (1860)
- Kindness
“We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies.”
Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865)
First Inaugural Address (1861)
- Work
“Leave nothing for to-morrow which can be done to-day.”
Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865)
Notes for a Law Lecture
- Perseverance
“Determine that the thing can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way.”
Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865)
Speech on Internal Improvements (1848)
- Courage
“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear—not absence of fear.”
Mark Twain (1835–1910)
Pudd'nhead Wilson
- Wisdom
“Always do right. This will gratify some people, and astonish the rest.”
Mark Twain (1835–1910)
Note to the Young People's Society (1901)
- Learning
“Training is everything. The peach was once a bitter almond; cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education.”
Mark Twain (1835–1910)
Pudd'nhead Wilson
- Wisdom
“Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.”
Mark Twain (1835–1910)
Pudd'nhead Wilson
- Happiness
“Grief can take care of itself, but to get the full value of a joy you must have somebody to divide it with.”
Mark Twain (1835–1910)
Following the Equator
- Perseverance
“The man with a new idea is a crank until the idea succeeds.”
Mark Twain (1835–1910)
Following the Equator
- Happiness
“Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.”
Mark Twain (1835–1910)
Following the Equator
- Change
“Habit is habit, and not to be flung out of the window by any man, but coaxed down-stairs a step at a time.”
Mark Twain (1835–1910)
Pudd'nhead Wilson
- Work
“Never put off till to-morrow what you can do day after to-morrow just as well.”
Mark Twain (1835–1910)
The Late Benjamin Franklin
- Wisdom
“Let us endeavor so to live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.”
Mark Twain (1835–1910)
Pudd'nhead Wilson
- Courage
“I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning how to sail my ship.”
Louisa May Alcott (1832–1888)
Little Women
- Wisdom
“This above all: to thine own self be true.”
William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
Hamlet
- Courage
“Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.”
William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
Measure for Measure
- Kindness
“Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.”
William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
All's Well That Ends Well
- Wisdom
“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.”
William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
Hamlet
- 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
- Work
“Things won are done; joy's soul lies in the doing.”
William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
Troilus and Cressida
- 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
- Change
“What's past is prologue.”
William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
The Tempest
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