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’ll want as your motto. Inspiring quotes that convey the power of words (11–20)
A professional never makes excuses, no matter what.Chiyonofuji Mitsugu
[Chiyonofuji’s Resolve] “Collect the returns on your effort three years later”: 100 selections of a pro’s no-excuses philosophy for overcoming weaknesses [Famous Quotes of Great Figures]
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.
There’s anxiety and pressure, but the only way to push them aside is through practice I can truly be satisfied with.Ryoko Tani
[Quotes × Music] Practice you can be satisfied with (Ryoko Tani, Judoka) #Quotes #GreatPeople #RyokoTani #Judoka #Anxiety #Pressure #ShakeItOff #Satisfaction #Practice
Ryoko Tani, who achieved numerous results as a judo athlete, was a competitor who constantly faced the pressure of being expected to win consecutive titles.
These words convey how she confronted that pressure and how she consistently delivered results.
They powerfully express that steady, cumulative effort repels pressure and leads to outcomes—that there is no choice but to keep working until you are fully satisfied.
Feeling pressure means your practice is still insufficient, and this perspective can even serve as a target for how far you should carry your training.
Life doesn’t create dreams. Dreams create life.Shohei Ohtani
It means that how you spend each day changes depending on the dreams you have.
Rather than just drifting through life, it’s because you have a dream of “I want to become this” that you make an effort and the path you choose changes.
For example, if you dream of becoming a professional baseball player, you’ll get up early to practice and take care of your health.
Even in your studies, if you have a dream like “I want to do this kind of work in the future,” you’ll feel motivated to work hard in subjects you’re not good at.
Dreams aren’t just wishes; they teach us that they have the power to shape our future.
Whether big or small, having a dream is a step that moves your life forward.
What I want to tell people around the world is to make an effort. If you put your heart into it, you can achieve anything.Cindy Ngamba
Here are some words I want to share with those striving toward their dreams and goals.
They come from Cindy Ngamba, the women’s 75 kg boxer.
Cindy Ngamba won a brilliant bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, becoming the first medalist from the Refugee Olympic Team.
“What I want to tell people around the world is to work hard.
If you put your heart into it, you can achieve anything.” These words apply not only to sports but to everything in our daily lives.
From her message, you can feel her strong will and the grueling effort she puts in day after day—a powerful quote that pushes forward everyone who strives.
Words from famous people you’ll want as your motto. Inspiring quotes that convey the power of words (21–30)
Sumo is something you learn by losing. There’s no sumo you learn by winning anywhere.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.
