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)
You can’t keep looking back at the past. Acknowledge what you’ve done and who you’ve been up to now—and then let it go.Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs, known as the co-founder of Apple, was also noted for the way he presented new products on stage.
This is a quote from that great business leader—whose words often drew attention—about how to face the past appropriately.
It tells us that being bound by the past can hinder progress, and that by reflecting properly and letting go, we should direct our mindset forward.
These words make us think about how to set our attitude in order to keep moving toward the future.
You only realize your own strength once you’ve overcome your anxieties and concerns.Serena Williams
These are the words of Serena Williams, who has etched her name in the history of women’s tennis.
The road to the top is never smooth; it is a continuous struggle with anxiety and doubt.
When studying, everyone has moments when they lose confidence in their abilities and feel like stopping.
It is precisely at such times that the experience of facing your anxieties rather than fleeing from them becomes essential.
Only after overcoming difficulties can you recognize strengths beyond what you imagined.
It’s a quote that accepts the emotional turbulence that comes with challenge and gives you the courage to move forward.
Even if my life is a losing battle, I want to fight until the very end.Vincent van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh was an artist who worked in the Netherlands, and many of his works, including Sunflowers, were only recognized after his death.
This is a famous quote attributed to that great artist—who had a profound influence on twentieth-century art—that conveys the strength to keep fighting to the very end.
It expresses a desire to fight even when you know you will lose, and it seems possible that this very attitude led to his posthumous acclaim.
It gives the impression that throwing yourself wholeheartedly into anything may lead to great achievements beyond defeat.
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.
No matter how deeply your heart is filled with sorrow, if you keep believing, the dream you wish for will come true.Cinderella 'Cinderella'
Even in ordinary life, there are times when we face hardships or feel sad.
Students struggling with exams or people dealing with unexpected problems at work may relate.
Without a ray of hope, some might feel like shutting down.
At times like these, Cinderella’s words—showing how she stayed positive and overcame even the toughest days—can help you find a hopeful mindset, too.
Perhaps it’s precisely because these words come from the adorable Cinderella that they linger in our hearts.
You don’t have to make yourself small for the sake of others.Beyoncé
Beyoncé, an American singer-songwriter who debuted as a member of Destiny’s Child and has also been active as a dancer, music producer, and actor.
Her famous quote, “You don’t have to shrink yourself for others,” serves as a reminder to value yourself.
In Japan especially, where service and endurance are often considered virtues, people tend to sacrifice themselves.
But this message teaches us that it’s your life, and you shouldn’t hold yourself back too much for others.
Inspiring quotes to lift you up when you’re feeling down: words that give you the strength to rise (21–30)
You must not mistake a single defeat for a decisive one.F. Scott Fitzgerald
F.
Scott Fitzgerald, the American author best known for The Great Gatsby, continued to engrave human frailty and beauty into literature even as he cycled through triumph and failure.
His words speak gently to those whose hearts are on the verge of breaking under the weight of defeat.
At times, a single failure can make it feel as though everything has ended.
But perhaps it is only a passing point in life.
Even if you stop or turn back, the road continues as long as you don’t give up.
These are words that quietly nudge you forward—giving your gaze the strength to face ahead once more.