Words from famous people that I’d like to adopt as my motto. Inspiring quotes that convey the power of words.
Just like the many great figures who have left their mark on history, celebrities—such as singers, actors, comedians, and athletes—have also left behind a variety of memorable quotes.
In this article, we introduce words spoken by such celebrities that you may want to adopt as your personal motto.
We’ve gathered not only words they offered to those in distress, but also phrases they voiced to spur themselves on.
You’ll surely be moved by the words of people who have overcome countless hardships and continued to strive.
Words from famous people you’d want as your motto. Inspiring quotes that capture the power of words (1–10)
The future is not something you predict; it’s something you make possible yourself.NEW!Saint-Exupéry
Saint-Exupéry, who was both a pilot and a novelist, is loved around the world for his book The Little Prince.
This famous quote carries a powerful message: the future is not something to be predicted and decided in advance, but something to be opened up and realized through our own efforts.
It’s important to consider “What will happen?”, but the results of predictions do not become the future as they are.
Because the future can change in countless ways depending on us, let’s take proactive action to get even a little closer to the future we envision.
Sumo is something you learn by losing. There’s no sumo you learn by winning anywhere.NEW!Asashōryū Akinori
Because these are the words of Asashoryu—who holds a top-division record of 596 wins, 153 losses, and 76 absences—they truly resonate.
Winning is something to be proud of, but perhaps what we really need when we reexamine ourselves and break out of our shell is “defeat.” It’s precisely because we feel the sting of losing that we gain lessons, and it’s those lessons that enable us to grow.
Even when you win, rather than simply rejoicing, ask yourself if there wasn’t more you could have done… By thinking that way, your victories, too, may become invaluable experiences.
A professional never makes excuses, no matter what.NEW!Chiyonofuji Mitsugu
There may be many people who make excuses when they lose.
They don’t want to be blamed or disappoint others because of their defeat, so they’re tempted to pin the cause of the loss on something other than themselves.
But Chiyonofuji voiced a firm resolve that professionals are not allowed to do that.
By eliminating excuses—external conditions, health, judges’ decisions—he focused all his energy on action.
And when he lost, he accepted the facts and confronted his own shortcomings.
He called this mindset a philosophy of personal responsibility, and stated that it leads to true strength.
Whether I’m happy or not is something only I can decide.Matsuko Deluxe
Appearing as a columnist, Matsuko Deluxe drew attention for straightforward, unadorned words.
These remarks express a view of happiness that carries weight precisely because they reflect a life lived true to oneself.
They tell us that happiness isn’t determined by others’ evaluations but by ourselves, and that it’s important to consider what our own happiness is.
It’s a quote worth recalling especially when you’re struggling with external judgments—one that could deepen your understanding of the happiness within you.
Better to regret what you say than what you leave unsaid.aiko
Everyone tends to think about the risks that lie beyond what we say, and many people have probably experienced holding back their words out of fear of those risks.
These are words from singer-songwriter Aiko that convey how important it is to speak up despite such risks.
They suggest that to change the status quo, we must take action—and that boldly putting things into words can become the driving force that shifts the situation.
It reminds us that moving forward without fear, and the courage to do so, are essential elements that open up the future.
Where there’s a will, there’s a way.NEW!Yoshihide Suga
This is the motto of Yoshihide Suga, who served as Chief Cabinet Secretary and as Japan’s 99th Prime Minister.
It originally comes from the words of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States.
Lincoln had a strong desire to abolish the slave system that was widespread in America at the time.
Aiming to advance reforms against slavery, he sought public office, but he lost elections multiple times.
Nevertheless, he kept challenging himself without giving up, eventually won, and accomplished his goal of emancipating the slaves.
Mr.
Suga, too, did not come from a political family but from a farming household in a rural area, which gave him a strong commitment to policies such as regional revitalization.
Because he acted with such strong conviction toward politics, new paths opened up for him.
May we also engrave these words in our hearts and press forward.
A well starts out muddy, but if you keep digging, clear water will spring forth.Saburō Kitajima
Working steadily toward a goal can sometimes come with pain, and the greater the struggle, the more you may wonder whether the future beyond it truly shines.
This famous quote by Saburo Kitajima encourages us to believe that a brilliant future awaits at the end of such a difficult path.
Life is like digging a well: just as pushing through muddy water eventually leads to clear water, it tells us that true brilliance lies beyond hardship.
Especially when you can’t see any glimmer of the future, remembering these words may give you the push to keep going without giving up.