Wonderful quotes and sayings

[2026] Collection of One-Line Quotes from Great Figures

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.

No matter the era, there are always quotes that lighten our hearts or give us a push forward.

In particular, the words of those often called great figures—people who left remarkable achievements in various forms—can be immensely helpful when we’re lost in life or facing decisive moments, even if their quotes don’t apply to our lives exactly as they are.

In this article, we’ve selected such quotes from great individuals, regardless of time period or field.

You just might find a quote that stays with you for life!

Be sure to check them out.

[2026] Collection of Short Quotes by Great Figures (51–60)

Do everything you can do—or that you dream of doing. Be bold, and you can unleash extraordinary abilities and a mysterious power.Goethe

20 Episodes of 'Goethe's Famous Quotes' to Listen to in Audio

Do everything you can do—or that you dream of doing. Be bold, and you can unleash extraordinary abilities and a mysterious power. —Goethe

Watch “Do everything you can do—or that you dream of doing. Be bold, and you can unleash extraordinary abilities and a mysterious power. —Goethe” on YouTube

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) was a German poet, playwright, and novelist, and one of Germany’s most distinguished literary figures.

His major works include the novel The Sorrows of Young Werther, the novel Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship, the narrative poem Hermann and Dorothea, and the poetic drama Faust.

When you have a dream but feel it may be out of reach, it’s worth remembering these words.

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Do not abandon your dreams. Even without dreams, you can remain in this world. But in doing so, you have already stopped truly living.Mark Twain

[Moving Quotes] A Collection of Life-Changing Quotes in an Instant — Mark Twain 4

Do not abandon your dreams. Even without dreams, you can remain in this world. But by doing so, you have already stopped truly living. — Mark Twain

Watch on YouTube: “Do not abandon your dreams. Even without dreams, you can remain in this world. But in doing so, you have already stopped truly living. —Mark Twain.”

Mark Twain (1835–1910) was an American novelist best known as the author of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

You can have dreams at any time, but you can also give them up or cast them aside at any time.

Yet the moment you abandon your dreams, it may also mean you have given up on living better.

It makes us reflect on the meaning of life.

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Dreams—there is nothing else that creates the future.Victor Hugo

[Moving Quotes] A Collection of Quotes That Can Change Your Life in an Instant — Victor Hugo 3

Dreams—there is nothing else that creates the future. Victor Hugo

Victor Hugo (1802–1885) was a French Romantic poet and novelist, best known as the author of Les Misérables.

Only your own dreams can create the future.

When you stop dreaming, even living becomes painful.

If you can find what you want to do and envision your future, the strength to live each day will well up within you.

These words teach us that dreams are important no matter how old we are.

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I have continued to try to turn every disaster that happens into a good opportunity.John Rockefeller

Rockefeller, the richest tycoon in human history

I have continued to try to turn every disaster that happens into a good opportunity. — John D. Rockefeller

Watch on YouTube: “I have continued to try to turn every disaster that happens into a good opportunity. — John D. Rockefeller”

John Rockefeller was an American businessman and philanthropist.

He founded Standard Oil and monopolized the oil market.

It’s important not to get back up from failures and crises empty-handed.

These are words you’d want to encounter when you feel like you can’t go on.

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In conclusion

This time, we introduced quotes from people who achieved great accomplishments across a wide range of fields.

Those we call great figures, in whatever form, have their own philosophies and unique ideas, and they can effortlessly say words that resonate with ordinary people like us.

How you make use of those quotes is, of course, up to you, so it might be a good idea to jot them down as mottos to lift your spirits.