Knowing it will surely save your heart… Short quotes to remember when times are tough
The more things we’re involved with in daily life—school, work, family, love—the more worries we tend to have, right?
Sometimes we may even feel so distressed that it seems like our hearts might break.
So this time, we’re introducing memorable quotes from great and famous people that we’d like you to recall during tough times.
These are all words that can support you or give you a push when you just can’t solve things on your own.
They’re all short, so be sure to jot them down and remember them!
Knowing it will surely save your heart… Short quotes to remember when times are tough (1–10)
Beyond the clouds, the sky is always blue.Louisa May Alcott
When you hear the names Mayu Hotta, Sawa Nimura, Mei Hata, and Neru Nagahama… yes, you think of a Reiwa-era “Little Women.” Works inspired by Alcott’s novel—stories about four sisters—have been created in every era, serving as mirrors that reflect their times.
Considering that Alcott only began to come into the spotlight in her mid-thirties, this famous line might have been her way of acknowledging her own years of hardship.
“No matter how difficult your situation is now, a brighter day will eventually come.” Remember these words whenever your spirits are low.
Laughed at, laughed at, and grow stronger.Osamu Dazai
For many people, their first encounter with Osamu Dazai was reading “Run, Melos!” in their middle school textbook.
The well-known masterpieces “The Setting Sun” and “No Longer Human” also offer glimpses into the depths of the human heart.
Which of Dazai’s works do you like? Though his writing is often dark and seems far removed from the word “laughter,” it’s precisely because these words come from him that they make us think, “Maybe there’s something to this.” The phrase “to be laughed at” here carries a nuance close to “to fail.” It feels like an encouraging maxim that says, “Don’t brood over one or two failures.”
Do not compare yourself to anyone else in this world.Bill Gates
Here are some famous quotes from Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft and a successful entrepreneur.
Some of you may have felt discouraged, worrying that you’re not doing as well as others.
However, your path is different from theirs, and so are your pace and your goals.
When it comes to your growth, it might be more important to compare yourself with who you were yesterday and move forward even a little.
You may notice that you’ve made progress when you look at yourself compared to a short while ago.
Rather than comparing yourself to others, let’s value our own path.
To look squarely at yourself as you are—that is strength.Taro Okamoto
Expo ’70 in Osaka.
I didn’t actually go, but even just from the news, the feverish excitement was incredible.
People supposedly waited for hours just to see a moon rock.
The monument that symbolizes that 1970 Expo is the Tower of the Sun.
Some of you might honestly be thinking, “What on earth is that?” The artist who designed it is Taro Okamoto—a legend who needs no introduction.
The “freedom” that runs through his bold, unflinching words goes beyond what ordinary people can imagine.
If you let your thoughts reach that far, his words can be truly encouraging.
How do you take them?
If you don’t praise and acknowledge yourself, you won’t be saved.Akihiro Miwa
Akihiro Miwa, who appeared on the popular talk show “Aura no Izumi,” is also well known among younger people.
Perhaps because he did voice acting for a Studio Ghibli film, he himself even starts to feel like a character straight out of a Ghibli movie.
Back in his younger days, he worked in show business under the name Akihiro Maruyama.
This quote, while evoking the strong image of Miwa, also carries a certain gentleness.
Everyone has times when they lose confidence in themselves, right? Sometimes it’s necessary to ‘praise yourself,’ too!
If you want to get out of your struggles, learn to relax and not be so tense.Shigeta Saitō
I’d like to introduce a famous quote by Shigeta Saito, a Japanese psychiatrist and author.
Many of us have felt stress in our daily lives—at work, at school, and so on.
At times like that, please remember these words.
They can be an important key to lightening the burden on your heart.
When you feel stressed, you might be able to relax by pausing for a moment and switching your mindset to, “This is the time to do this.” Let’s not forget to enjoy ourselves and keep moving forward with a positive attitude.
Only in the darkness can you see the stars.Martin Luther King Jr.
An American minister known by the name of Dr.
King, he is also famous for his “I have a dream” speech.
Some English textbooks include an excerpt from that speech, so some of you may have seen it.
The true meaning of his words is largely left to the audience, but however you interpret them, they are sure to encourage us.
The deeper the darkness, the more beautiful the stars.
By the way, the film Selma, executive produced by Steven Spielberg, depicts Dr.
King’s life.
Do watch it if you have the chance!