Famous quotes everyone knows, including words from great figures and characters
There are many famous quotes in the world.
Words spoken by renowned historical figures, by those who launched major companies or groundbreaking technologies, and even by popular manga characters—people from all walks of life have left behind words that resonate with our hearts.
In this article, we’ll introduce some of the most well-known quotes among the many out there.
We’ve gathered a variety of sayings: ones that give you strength when you can’t look forward, ones that inspire dreams, and ones that make you reflect on life.
You might find words that bring about a change in your feelings.
Be sure to check them out!
Famous quotes everyone knows. Words from great figures and characters too (1–10)
Trust in others, but trust yourself a hundred times more.Osamu Tezuka
Here are the words left by Osamu Tezuka, the manga artist behind many popular works such as Astro Boy, Black Jack, and Phoenix.
He teaches that because people cannot live alone, it is important to trust those around you.
However, he also says that believing in yourself and moving forward with conviction is even more important than trusting others.
Perhaps the key to success is to have confidence in yourself while never forgetting to be grateful to the people around you.
Genius is an ordinary person who makes an extraordinary effort.Albert Einstein
This is a famous quote left by Albert Einstein, known as a genius physicist.
In this saying, he expresses that there is no such thing as an inborn genius; rather, those who can put in overwhelmingly more effort than others come to be called geniuses.
The fact that someone regarded as a genius left these words suggests that he himself accumulated extraordinary effort.
Among the words of great figures around the world, there are many that speak to the importance of such effort.
If you give up, the game is over right there.Mitsuyoshi Anzai, 'SLAM DUNK'
Among works themed around sports, this line could well be called the most famous of all.
It’s the iconic quote by Coach Anzai from Takehiko Inoue’s basketball manga SLAM DUNK.
In fact, the line appears twice in the story, with a slightly different ending each time.
The first is directed at Hisashi Mitsui during his middle school days, and the second is said to Hanamichi Sakuragi during the game against Sannoh at the Inter-High.
Both are standout, unforgettable scenes—be sure to check them out in the original manga.
Effort is always rewarded. If there is effort that isn’t rewarded, then it can’t yet be called effort.Sadaharu Oh
Sadaharu Oh is a figure who has contributed broadly to the world of baseball as a player, manager, and more, and his many achievements are etched into the sport’s history.
This quote focuses on the relationship between effort and results, and it conveys a vivid sense of the challenges he has taken on.
It expresses the idea that consistent effort will inevitably lead to results, and that as long as results are not yet visible, one has not reached a stage that can truly be called “effort.” These powerful words inspire us to keep working so that we can proudly say we have made efforts that are firmly connected to real outcomes.
I believe that piling up small things is the only way to reach incredible places.Ichiro (Suzuki Ichiro)
These are famous words from Ichiro, known in the baseball world as a person of “effort and perseverance.” The message is that the only way to achieve great results is to build up daily effort.
Hearing this from Ichiro—who has continued to face baseball and set countless records—makes it impossible not to believe it.
It’s something I hope those pursuing dreams and goals will cherish.
It reminds us to stay disciplined: “We must never skip our daily training and move forward steadily, one step at a time.”
It isn’t the strong who win; those who win are strong.Franz Beckenbauer
These words were spoken by Franz Beckenbauer, who was captain when host nation West Germany won the 1974 World Cup.
In that tournament, the Netherlands’ style of football was drawing worldwide attention, but West Germany defeated them.
With that backdrop, he uttered this line.
It’s a very cool quote that overturned public opinion, proved their strength, and declared that results are everything.
It’s not that we run away because it’s hard; it becomes hard because we run away.William James
These are the words of William James, an American philosopher and psychologist.
When you run away from something painful, the memory of that pain doesn’t disappear even after you’ve fled.
But if you don’t run away and instead face it, and manage to overcome the difficulty, you can come to see that painful memory as a necessary trial on the path to success.
It’s because we run that it becomes even more painful… At first glance this may sound puzzling, but the more you think about it, the more it rings true.
The word ‘impossible’ exists only in the dictionary of fools.Napoleon Bonaparte
It’s a famous saying attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte, the French military leader of the Revolutionary era.
The phrase means that if you’re quick to say “I can’t,” you’ll truly become unable to do it.
It’s said he declared this to a subordinate who answered, “I can’t.” Following this example, if we refrain from saying “I can’t” and keep working toward our goals, we should be able to achieve them.
It’s a phrase worth keeping in mind when pursuing our dreams and goals.
No success for those without dreams.Yoshida Shōin
Yoshida Shōin, a thinker and educator of the Edo period, is said to have influenced the patriots of the Meiji Restoration through his teaching at the Shōka Sonjuku.
The following is a celebrated quote left by this educator, who had a profound impact on Japanese history, expressing the power of pursuing one’s dreams.
It conveys that by having a dream and moving toward it, one can bring out one’s abilities and achieve great results.
Whether it is a grand dream or a nearer goal, these words inspire faith in the power of advancing toward something.
Today’s achievements are the result of past efforts, and the future will be determined by the efforts from now on.Kazuo Inamori
Kazuo Inamori is the founder of Kyocera and the person who established DDI in 1984, which later became the predecessor of KDDI.
He is one of the most important figures in Japan’s business world, remembered as an entrepreneur.
Here is a quote he left about the importance of hard work.
While the words focus on results, the same applies to unfavorable outcomes as well.
In other words, if you cannot make the effort now, results will not appear in the future.
Let’s keep these words in our hearts and steadily build up the right kind of effort every day.