Encouraging quotes for when you're feeling down. Words that give you the strength to rise again.
I messed up at work, I got a bad grade on a test, I had a fight with a friend…
When we’re living our lives, there are bound to be times when we feel down.
In this article, we’ll introduce famous quotes we hope you’ll read when you’re feeling low.
We’ve gathered words that offer meaning to failure, encourage you by saying there’s no need to be discouraged, and remind you to cherish yourself—messages that can lift you up from many different angles.
When you want some gentle words of encouragement, be sure to check these out!
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Encouraging quotes for when you're feeling down. Words that give you the strength to get back up (11–20)
The greatest glory in living is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela, who also served as President of the Republic of South Africa, is known for his efforts in abolishing apartheid.
This is a quote from that great leader, who devoted himself to equality and peace for all people, and it conveys a strong will to keep taking on challenges.
When we strive to achieve something great, we inevitably face difficulties; even if we fail, what truly matters is to keep trying and overcome them.
Even on a path where we often stumble, it makes us believe that if we press on without giving up, brilliant results await us.
Unless one has eaten bread with tears, one cannot know the taste of life.Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
These are words that appear in Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who was active as a poet in Germany.
They speak to the idea that life is not composed only of joyous times, but also includes deep sorrow and loneliness, and that it is precisely these experiences that lead to the richness of life.
It expresses that life’s depth is revealed through negatives such as sadness, suffering, and solitude—that they are not merely bad.
It also suggests that rather than stopping and seeing suffering as something purely negative, it is important to move forward from it.
All misfortunes are nothing but stepping stones to the future.Thoreau
When something unfortunate happens, it can feel like the rest of your life will be nothing but bad.
This quote shines a warm path of light into such a darkened heart.
What counts as misfortune differs from person to person, but in many cases we imagine failure or setback.
Things don’t go smoothly, unforeseen mishaps occur… By seeing them as stepping stones to the future, we can keep facing forward without giving up.
That’s what Thoreau’s words teach us.
If we think of misfortune as a step toward the next stage, we can surely take it in a positive light.
If you keep looking down, you won’t be able to find a rainbow.Sir Charles Spencer “Charlie” Chaplin
When we’re feeling down, we tend to look down…
This is a famous quote by Chaplin that I’d like you to remember at such times.
Rainbows are said to be a sign of good luck, and seeing one makes you feel fortunate, doesn’t it? In this quote, he encourages us to keep looking forward while reminding us not to miss the rainbow.
Rather than a blunt “Do your best,” it resonates precisely because it uses a gentle, indirect expression—“missing the rainbow.” It’s a quote that feels like someone quietly sitting beside you in support.
He who runs away can fight another day.Demosthenes
These words can give courage to those who have failed once and feel like their life is over, or who are truly struggling but are holding back out of a sense of responsibility.
This quote is by Demosthenes, an ancient Greek statesman and orator.
He says that although “to flee” may sound like defeat, it actually means stepping back from the situation, regaining composure, and quietly waiting for the right moment.
Even if you quit in an environment that feels unfavorable, it isn’t running away; I feel it’s about not wasting energy so you can challenge yourself again.
There are, of course, days when your heart hurts.Ma Rainey
All kinds of things happen in life.
At times you’ll be struck by misfortune that makes you wonder, “Why is this happening?” You may feel it’s unfair, but that’s life—there’s no use lamenting it.
I feel that this quote by blues singer Ma Rainey teaches us the importance of accepting life’s daily ups and downs just as they are.
Bad times don’t last that long, so there are simply days like that! Remember this quote and try to get through them.
Inspiring quotes to lift you up when you’re feeling down: words that give you the strength to rise (21–30)
If other people can do it, there’s no way you can’t.From Fujiko Fujio's Doraemon
These are words from Doraemon, a manga loved across generations as one of Japan’s most iconic works.
They face head-on the feelings of discouragement that come from comparing yourself to others.
When you feel you’re not good at studying, it can seem like you alone are inferior, but differences in ability are born from accumulated effort and experience.
Before deciding you can’t do something, it’s important to adopt a mindset of trying.
Everyone has potential, and if you believe and move forward, the path will open.
It’s a famous quote that encourages positive action without denying yourself.
