Recommended as life tips! A collection of short, memorable quotes from great figures
Many people who have achieved great things throughout human history have left behind quotes that symbolize their legacy.
These words often capture their guiding principles or philosophies, and many can serve as hints for living well even in the modern day.
Here, we present a selection of short yet profound quotations left by great figures.
Whether you have dreams and goals, or are troubled or uncertain about something, you’re sure to find words that fit your situation.
Please use them as a reference.
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Recommended as life tips! A collection of short, memorable quotes from great figures (71–80)
Earthquakes will strike again and again. To prevent severe damage, we will build parks and roads.Shinpei Gotō
I would like to introduce a famous quote left by Shinpei Goto: “Earthquakes will come again and again.
To prevent great damage, we must build parks and roads.” From this saying, one can sense his conviction to protect human life.
Shinpei Goto devoted himself to the reconstruction after the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, making present-day Tokyo a city resilient to disasters.
Immediately after the earthquake, he became Minister of Home Affairs and then Minister for Reconstruction to rebuild Tokyo, which had suffered immense damage.
Along with the quote, he conceived reconstruction measures, but at the time he faced criticism from those around him.
It is said that enormous funds were required to put them into action, and landowners opposed the purchase of tracts that had been reduced to burned-out fields by the quake.
Although his budget was cut, Goto poured his efforts into building a disaster-resilient city.
Thanks to those efforts, Tokyo became stronger against earthquakes than it had been in the past.
If you endure, you will surely become a strong person.Senichi Hoshino
These are the words of Senichi Hoshino, who excelled as a player for the Chunichi Dragons during his career and later made his mark as a manager for the Chunichi Dragons, the Hanshin Tigers, and the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.
During the Great East Japan Earthquake, he was the manager of the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, the team from the disaster-stricken region, and his words are remembered for inspiring many people.
He conveys that no matter what difficulties you face, you should give your all in the present and confront them head-on—that strength lies along the path you advance by doing so.
Because these are the words of Hoshino, who rebuilt teams whose results had faltered, they carry real persuasive power; they are words that lift your spirits and make you want to keep pushing forward.
When an enemy becomes a friend, can’t we say the enemy has been vanquished?Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States who advanced the abolition of slavery.
The words of the man who achieved the nation’s reunification express reconciliation not by excluding adversaries, but through friendship and understanding.
This stance also reflects his political philosophy of seeking to bind a divided nation into one.
The idea of overcoming conflict and turning opponents into allies to achieve true victory suggests not merely ending strife, but creating the possibility of better relationships.
It is a famous quote that carries a message relevant to modern society.
To conquer oneself is the greatest victory.Plato
Plato, the ancient Greek philosopher, was a foundational figure in philosophy alongside his student Aristotle and his teacher Socrates.
He taught that the most difficult and important battle in life is the battle against oneself.
These words express the idea that by overcoming desires, laziness, and fear, one can attain true freedom and growth.
He believed that by conquering the weaknesses within ourselves, we can draw closer to being moral human beings, and that this, in turn, contributes to the development of society.
This teaching can be regarded as a famous saying that prompts modern people to reconsider the importance of self-discipline and personal growth.
Those who do not advance will surely retreat, and those who do not retreat will surely advance.Yukichi Fukuzawa
These are words left by Yukichi Fukuzawa, author of “An Encouragement of Learning,” who had a profound impact on Japanese education and thought.
They express a truth about life: if we stop striving to move forward, even maintaining the status quo becomes difficult.
He emphasized the importance of continual progress for both individuals and society, calling for a steadfast commitment to learning and challenge.
This philosophy remains relevant today, conveying that sustained growth and action lead to new opportunities and achievements.
It is widely known as a famous saying that underscores the importance of the will to keep advancing without fearing stagnation.
Those who accomplish great things are always bold adventurers.Charles de Montesquieu
The French philosopher Charles de Montesquieu, often regarded as a father of sociology, left us a memorable quote: “Those who accomplish great things are always bold adventurers.” It’s a message worth keeping close to heart.
If we only do what anyone can think of, we won’t achieve results beyond imagination.
By advancing with conviction and facing what others don’t expect or have avoided, we can reach uncharted territory—this is what the quote seems to teach us.
It’s an inspiring motto that encourages us to take the first courageous step.
Heaven does not extend a helping hand to those who do not act for themselves.William Shakespeare
The poet William Shakespeare, who left behind numerous works including the four great tragedies and is hailed as a leading figure of English Renaissance drama.
The famous quote, “Heaven helps those who help themselves,” may prompt us to confront our own actions.
Reality is not so easy that miracles will happen if we leave things to fate or to others.
This saying teaches us that things turn around as if aided by heaven precisely because of what we have built up through our own actions.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.Laozi
Laozi, the founder of Taoism—one of China’s three major religions—and the thinker known as the author of the Tao Te Ching.
Laozi left many famous sayings, and this one can be called a lesson for life.
If you wish to accomplish something, you must steadily accumulate small efforts—that is what it teaches us.
Why not make these words your motto and aim for success by moving forward little by little? If you keep at it, you will find yourself among the successful.
Only by living desperately does one’s life shine.Oda Nobunaga
Lord Oda Nobunaga, a warlord counted among the Three Unifiers of the Sengoku period for his innovative political methods.
From his famous saying, “It is only by living desperately that one’s life shines,” we can truly sense the very essence of Oda Nobunaga’s life.
Not only should we act energetically with dreams and goals, but it is by throwing ourselves wholeheartedly into the act of living itself that our lives gain profound meaning.
This message teaches us that such a way of living becomes the proof that we truly lived and allows us to create a life uniquely our own, unlike anyone else’s.
Abandon yesterdayPeter Drucker
People tend to focus on the past more than the future, to a greater or lesser extent.
In particular, many of us find it hard to let go of methods that once worked and end up clinging to them.
Peter Drucker’s famous quote, “Abandon yesterday,” teaches us the futility of relying on past successes.
Of course, there’s no need to discard your own proven playbook entirely, but as you and your environment change, there’s no point in continuing approaches that no longer produce results.
It’s a message that underscores the importance of decisiveness and the ability to pivot.