Uplifting words by great figures and famous people that, despite their brevity, convey a sense of philosophy.
There are times in everyday life when you just can’t get into the mood or your spirits won’t lift, aren’t there?
Even if you’re not doing anything particularly strenuous, everyone has probably experienced emotional ups and downs.
So this time, I’d like to share some short but uplifting words.
Each one is a gem of a quote that reflects the character and mindset of great figures and famous people.
I hope you’ll find them helpful when a quick change of pace or a bit of escapism doesn’t solve the problem.
Uplifting words with a touch of philosophy from great and famous figures (1–10)
Let those who wish to leave, leave.NEW!Alexander the Great
Alexander the Great, monarch of the Kingdom of Macedon, one of the empires of ancient Greece.
Often called one of the most successful military commanders in history, Alexander the Great left behind numerous famous sayings.
Among them, this short yet resolute quote was addressed to the many soldiers who were exhausted by the long campaign.
It conveys the meaning: let those who wish to leave, leave; even if our numbers are few, we will continue the campaign with those who still have the will to fight.
Find a way. If there isn’t one, make one.NEW!Hannibal Barca
Hannibal Barca, renowned as Carthage’s great general who defeated the Roman army at the Battle of Cannae.
This famous quote is undeniably the powerful words of a true commander.
In 221 BCE, at the young age of twenty-six, he became the army’s commander and achieved numerous victories.
Perhaps this was because, as the quote suggests, he constantly sought ways to win, and if none could be found, he would create them himself.
His lofty ambition and unwavering resolve elevated him to a great general and made him a figure remembered and spoken of to this day.
Your happiness in life depends on the quality of your thoughts.NEW!Marcus Aurelius Antoninus
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, one of the Five Good Emperors and the 16th Roman emperor.
He is also known for leaving behind his work Meditations, and can be regarded as a model of a philosopher-king who preferred learning over war.
He was also a thinker within Stoic philosophy.
The happiness of life changes according to the quality of one’s own thoughts.
Controlling the mind and emotions through thought also affects how we ultimately interpret things.
In other words, a single way of thinking can make you happy—or unhappy.
Unless the whole world becomes happy, individual happiness is impossible.NEW!Kenji Miyazawa
These are words by Kenji Miyazawa, the poet and writer of children’s stories famous for the poem “Be Not Defeated by the Rain.” Kenji Miyazawa is also known for works such as Night on the Galactic Railroad, The Restaurant of Many Orders, and Matasaburo of the Wind.
All humans live by supporting one another.
Even if we feel as though we live on our own, it’s hard to completely separate ourselves from others.
In other words, unless those around us are happy and the entire world becomes happy, our own happiness cannot truly exist.
Not only do we want our own happiness, but we also want the people around us and people across the world to be happy—these are words to keep close to heart.
It is not noble to be superior to others.Ernest Hemingway
These are the words of Ernest Hemingway, a Nobel Prize-winning author who had a profound impact on literary history.
His words show that value lies not in comparing ourselves to others, but in our own growth.
When you keep studying, you may find yourself worrying about others’ grades and progress, and feel anxious.
But what truly matters is whether you’ve taken one step forward from who you were yesterday.
Small, steady efforts build confidence and sustain your attitude toward learning.
It’s a famous quote that quietly teaches the meaning of striving on your own terms.
It’s just a bad day, not a bad life.Johnny Depp
Let me introduce a famous quote by the popular Hollywood actor Johnny Depp.
Even if you’re usually energetic, there are times when you might feel down over small things.
“Today’s work didn’t go very well,” “My studies didn’t progress like I hoped,” and so on.
But when that happens, remember these words.
It’s perfectly natural for anyone to feel a little down sometimes.
Depending on your mindset, you can change tomorrow into anything you want.
Spending time with family or friends, or immersing yourself in a favorite hobby, can help you reset your mood.
Think of your whole life as your own story, and enjoy each day!
Launching a boat into a storm isn’t the only form of courage.Snufkin “Moomin”
In Tove Jansson’s Moomin, Snufkin—who appears as Moomin’s best friend—is a character strongly associated with freedom.
This famous quote, spoken by that freedom-loving traveler, expresses what courage truly is.
The word “courage” can evoke reckless challenges, but it tells us that continually taking risks of failure isn’t the only form of bravery.
The ability to discern what you can do, and even choosing to run when the moment calls for it—those, too, are important kinds of courage.
