Words for graduates: a collection of inspiring quotes from great figures to give you a push forward
As you reach the milestone of graduation, you may feel a vague sense of anxiety alongside your expectations for the new world that’s about to begin.
At times like these, words that resonate can gently stay by your side.
The great figures who left their mark on history, as well as pioneers in various fields, also carved out their own paths while overcoming doubts and inner struggles.
In this article, we present a selection of gem-like quotes as words of encouragement for graduates.
Short yet profound, simple yet powerful, these words will support your heart as you take your first step forward.
- [Graduation] A moving line to add to a message board: words that touch the heart
- Quotes that accompany the departure called graduation—words that will give you courage for the life ahead.
- Short quotes to give at the time of graduation—a send-off. Words that inspire courage and hope.
- Short, heart-stirring words of encouragement! Courageous quotes that push you to take a step toward tomorrow.
- A cool one-line message of support
- Guaranteed to move you! Memorable words by great figures and famous people.
- Words that strongly push you forward and give you energy
- Heartfelt! Inspiring Quotes Left by Great Figures of Japan
- [Spring Quotes] Glamorous words perfect for adding color to a new beginning
- For exam-takers! A collection of quotes that become profound and interesting once you understand their meaning
- Uplifting words by great figures and famous people that, despite their brevity, convey a sense of philosophy.
- Cheers to hardworking kids! A collection of recommended quotes to gift to children
- [Heart-Touching] Quotes That Keep You Going Anytime! Fiery Words That Push You Forward
Words for Graduates: A Collection of Inspiring Quotes from Great Figures (21–30)
Where there is a will, there is a way.Abraham Lincoln
These words teach the importance of continuing forward with the belief that if you press on with firm resolve, the path will surely open.
They were spoken by Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States.
He devoted himself to the abolition of slavery and became a president remembered in history, but his journey was far from smooth.
Even so, he never gave up and kept moving forward to realize the ideal society he envisioned.
Considering the path he walked, we can feel the weight of these words even more.
You should just go all out and try whatever you set your mind to. No matter which way things turn out, we humans, like stones by the roadside, end our lives as bones all the same.Ryoma Sakamoto
Everyone has probably experienced hesitating and thinking, “What if I fail?” and finding it hard to move forward as they’d hoped.
In moments like that, remembering this saying might give you the courage to take a step and strengthen your resolve.
The words are known as a quote from Sakamoto Ryoma, a samurai reformer of the late Edo period.
Since we all end up as bones in the end, we might as well act boldly and do what we want until then—words fitting for someone like him, who devoted himself tirelessly to achieving his aspirations.
Trust in others, but trust yourself a hundred times more.Osamu Tezuka
Let me share a famous quote by renowned manga artist Osamu Tezuka: “Believe in others, but believe in yourself a hundred times more.” In life, we all meet many people and support one another.
No one can live entirely on their own.
Trusting and standing by others is a positive force for us.
Knowing there are people who will help you when something happens is a great source of emotional support.
However, there may be times when someone you trusted betrays you.
In those moments, the only one who can truly save you is yourself.
Let’s believe in ourselves while also valuing the people around us.
Please consider this as a congratulatory message for graduates.
Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.Albert Einstein
“The theory of relativity”—even if you don’t know the details, everyone knows the phrase.
Of course, it refers to the classical theory of the gravitational field proposed by Mr.
Einstein.
Mr.
Einstein actually stayed in Japan for about a month during his lifetime and gave lectures in major cities such as Hakata and Osaka.
Even someone praised as a genius must have had countless failures.
Still, he kept on researching; I believe he understood better than anyone the importance of that ‘continuity.’ His words teach us the value of continuing to move forward despite twists and turns.
It is truly one of the most fitting messages for graduates!”
The greatest adventure for you is to live your dreams.Oprah Winfrey
In our everyday lives, we often end up giving up on talking about our dreams or simply forgetting them, don’t we? Oprah Winfrey—an American actor, famed television host, and philanthropist—survived a harsh childhood and rose to be called “the most influential woman in the world.” No matter how hard things get, continuing to dream and to challenge yourself may be the greatest adventure of a lifetime.
It’s a message we’d love to deliver to young people.
Easier done than said.NEW!
This four-character idiom shows that things often go more smoothly when you actually take action rather than keep worrying.
You’ve probably had times when you imagined failure before even trying and couldn’t take a step forward.
But once you took that first step, you may have realized it wasn’t as hard as you thought.
By acting, your anxiety gradually shrinks, and you become aware of your own potential.
When you move without overthinking, new vistas open up.
It’s a quote that gives a gentle push to high school students standing at the threshold of a new chapter in their lives.
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 Suzuki, formerly a professional baseball player who also excelled in the Major Leagues, left numerous records and stood as one of the world’s most iconic figures in baseball history.
Even for someone as remarkable as Ichiro, there must have been obstacles—difficulties and unexpected incidents that stood in his way.
Yet, it seems he learned that by refusing to slack off and persevering even when his spirit was close to breaking, he could break through those barriers.
His famous words teach us that by pressing on without giving up, we can overcome challenges and connect them to great success beyond.
These are words worth remembering as a mindset for the future as you graduate and move forward.
