It’s sure to resonate most with those who are striving! Words of encouragement from great figures and famous people.
Whether you’re a student focusing on studies or club activities, or a working adult juggling a job or childcare, everyone has something they’re striving for at every stage of life.
Even if you’re fine when you’re fully absorbed, there may be moments when your spirits suddenly drop or you start feeling negative.
So this time, we’ve compiled a list of encouraging words from the famous sayings of great and notable figures.
These are all words that make you feel like trying again, so we hope you’ll remember them when you feel like your heart is about to break.
It should resonate all the more with those who are giving it their all! Words of encouragement from great figures and famous people (1–10)
To conquer oneself is the greatest victory.Plato
As we push forward toward the future, we sometimes experience negative emotions like discouragement.
Here is a quote from Plato, the ancient Greek philosopher, that conveys how difficult yet valuable it is to overcome such negative feelings.
He tells us that in all things, nothing is more important than conquering oneself, and that the very fact of having transcended oneself is what is truly great.
It’s a powerful message that can turn a backward-looking mindset forward and strengthen our resolve to believe and press on.
As long as you keep striving without ever losing sight of a good purpose, you will surely be saved in the end.Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
As we go through our days, circumstances gradually change, and at times you may wonder whether your current efforts are truly the right ones.
When you feel uncertain about the path you’re on, these words from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, a German poet, offer a chance to reassess your direction.
He reminds us that what matters is to keep striving without losing sight of a worthy goal; if you set your course and continue to put in the effort, it will be rewarded.
Let’s keep moving forward, regularly checking that our efforts are aligned with the right direction, and trust that our work will pay off.
If you can dream it, you can achieve it.Walt Disney
For anyone working hard toward their dreams, I recommend this quote from Walt Disney, the creator of Disneyland and many beloved Disney works.
If you can dream it, you can achieve it—these hope-filled words give us courage, don’t they? It’s precisely because he brought so many dreamlike worlds to life that he could express something that feels straight out of a Disney story.
Instead of giving up because you’re not sure whether your dream will come true, start by holding on to your dream and stepping up to the starting line to make it happen.
For those who never lose their brightness and keep striving, God properly prepares a future.Kazuo Inamori
On the path where effort doesn’t lead to the results we hope for, some people keep pushing themselves through the pain.
Here are words from Kazuo Inamori—known as the founder of Kyocera and KDDI—that reject such negative feelings and give hope to our efforts.
He tells us that what matters is to continue our efforts without losing brightness, and that a bright future awaits those who strive with hope.
These are positive words that sweep away anxiety about our efforts and remind us to believe in ourselves.
No matter how distant the dream you envision, as long as you believe in your own potential, it remains within reach.Hermann Hesse
The larger the goal, the longer the sustained effort required to reach it.
These are the words of Hermann Hesse, born in Germany and active as a writer in Switzerland, which teach us how to think about the seemingly endless journey of effort.
He says that what matters first is the belief that you can reach your goal; if you firmly believe in your own potential, even distant goals become attainable.
Reflecting on what possibilities lie within you may also help you determine the direction of your efforts.
Our lives are worth only as much as the effort we put into them.François Mauriac
It can be hard to imagine what kind of life your efforts toward a goal will lead to until those efforts take shape.
These are the words of François Mauriac, a French writer, conveying how life unfolds as a result of accumulated effort.
He tells us that the value of a life changes depending on how much effort one has made, and that we should continue to strive so we can feel our life was truly worthwhile.
These are words to remember when you feel uncertain about whether to keep going—words that may give you the strength to keep moving forward.
If you keep at it consistently, you’ll be able to achieve great things.George Washington
As we repeat or continue doing things, the worry inevitably creeps in: is it really okay to keep going like this? Here are words from George Washington, the first president of the United States, who showed us how vital perseverance can be, even when doubts arise.
He reminds us that steadily building through consistent effort leads to significant results, and that it’s important to keep moving forward with faith.
If you recall this at the moment when your routine starts to feel mechanical, it can become the cue to put real intention and strength back into your actions.