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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Quotes that encourage you when you're feeling down. Words that give you the strength to rise (1–10)
Above all, the most important thing is to enjoy life. To feel happiness—that’s all that matters.Audrey Hepburn
Here are some famous quotes from Audrey Hepburn, the great actress who devoted her later years to working with UNICEF.
Influenced in part by her aristocratic mother, Audrey Hepburn was known to be consistently kind, wise, and modest.
Beyond her acting, her philosophy of life also touched many people.
There are times in everyday life when we find it hard to keep a calm heart; her words remind us of the “simple happiness” that modern society tends to forget.
The things that matter are right by our side.
Even if they’re small, we should try to find something each day that we enjoy and that makes us feel happy.
The worst thing is convincing yourself that you’re no good.Nobita Nobi 'Doraemon'
Here’s a line from Doraemon, a series that has given us countless memorable quotes.
It’s a moment when Nobita, who is usually encouraged by Doraemon, turns the tables and encourages him instead.
He says this when Doraemon is feeling down because he can’t even become friends with the cat he has a crush on.
I think many of us have felt like “I’m not good enough.” When things keep going wrong, it’s easy to get negative and lose the motivation to try.
But if you move forward without confidence, good results may not follow.
If you’re going to do it anyway, you might as well move ahead with confidence.
What do you seek meaning for? Life is aspiration, not meaning.Charles Chaplin
Charles Chaplin, who was active in the United Kingdom as an actor and film director.
His character, the Little Tramp, gained worldwide popularity, didn’t it? This is a famous quote left by that great actor and comedian—also known as the King of Comedy—that seems to express a philosophy for navigating life.
It tells us that what matters in life is our own desire for what we want to do, and that others’ viewpoints or imposed meanings are not important.
These are words to remember when you’re tempted to be swayed by the meaning of outcomes or by others’ opinions—words that can prompt you to reflect on your own authenticity.
Walls only appear to those who are capable. They come only to people who have the potential to overcome them. That’s why, when I face a wall, I see it as a chance.Ichiro (Suzuki Ichiro)
As a baseball player who excelled not only in Japan but around the world, Ichiro is a key figure in the history of the sport.
Here is a famous quote from this great player, who left his mark on Japanese baseball, expressing how to think when facing a wall.
Feeling a wall is proof that you’ve put in that much effort, and it tells us that you surely have the strength to overcome it.
Only walls you can overcome will appear before you, so these words encourage a positive mindset: it’s a chance to take another step forward.
It’s just a bad day, not a bad life.Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp is said to be one of the biggest movie stars in the world.
He has appeared in many classics, such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Here is a quote that seems to express this great film star’s view on misfortune.
Even if you encounter something bad, it’s only for that day—it doesn’t mean your whole life is unlucky.
Rather than dragging a bad day into the next, switch gears and move forward the following day.
It’s a message that gives us a positive mindset.
Forget unpleasant things by the end of the day. It’s foolish to brood over what you can’t control.Kakuei Tanaka
Kakuei Tanaka, who also made his mark as Prime Minister, is remembered for his powerful political stance, including the “Remodeling the Japanese Archipelago” doctrine.
Here is a famous quote from this great statesman—said to have wielded immense influence—about the importance of resetting your mindset.
It conveys that lingering regrets can negatively affect your next task, and that in order to smoothly handle what comes next, it’s essential to forget what you can’t do.
These are strong words that give us the courage to trust ourselves and charge forward, focusing all our energy on what we can do.
Do not compare yourself to anyone else in this world.Bill Gates
Bill Gates is known as one of America’s leading entrepreneurs for founding Microsoft.
These are words of wisdom from someone who helped drive the evolution of computers, conveying the importance of staying true to yourself.
Rather than comparing yourself to others, he powerfully emphasizes holding firm to your own beliefs and values and moving forward on that basis.
It’s a message that suggests that advancing without being swayed by those around you—sticking to your own path—can lead to great achievements.
Do not listen to other people’s expectations. Live your own life and meet your own expectations.Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods, who excelled on the world stage as a professional golfer, is often called the greatest golfer of all time because of his many achievements.
This is a famous quote from a player who helped popularize the sport and raise its profile, speaking about the importance of believing in yourself.
When we take on something, we tend to be swayed by expectations and the opinions around us.
This quote tells us that those who are not distracted by such opinions and stay true to themselves are the ones who achieve results.
It powerfully teaches us that we should not bend to others’ views, but face ourselves and keep moving forward.
God doesn’t want us to succeed; He just wants us to try.Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa, a Catholic saint, founded the Missionaries of Charity and is known as a figure who devoted herself to pursuing peace around the world.
This is a quote from that great person—whose peace-driven work is highly esteemed—that seems to express what a challenge truly is.
She says that the challenges we face in life are given by God; success is not the goal, but rather the challenge itself is endowed with value.
It’s a thought that not only urges us to charge toward success, but also prompts us to reflect on what we have gained through the challenge.
Where there is hope, there is life. Hope brings new courage and makes us stronger again.Anne Frank
Anne Frank, a German Jew, drew attention with The Diary of Anne Frank, which depicted the persecution of the time.
This is a famous quote from a girl buffeted by the world, imbued with a wish for a bright future where hope spreads from person to person.
It expresses the desire for life to be lived alongside hope, and that as it spreads, the world will be filled with even brighter hope.
Even amid harsh circumstances, it conveys a strong resolve not to let the wish for hope fade, and it offers words that give viewers the courage to keep moving forward.