There are many people in the world called “great figures” who have astonished others, created useful technologies, and moved people’s hearts.
In this article, we carefully select and introduce famous quotes spoken by such great figures.
We’ve gathered quotes from a variety of perspectives—ones that give you the strength to face forward when you feel like giving up, ones that help you take one more step, and ones that let you feel love and dreams.
You might even come across a quote that supports your days—and your life.
Quotes from great figures that give us the power to live (91–100)
If we were just one minute earlier, we could save one more person.Calvin Coolidge
Let me introduce a powerful quote from Calvin Coolidge: “If you are one minute early, you can save one more person.” Calvin Coolidge was an American politician who also served as President.
This saying—“If you are one minute early, you can save one more person”—was apparently an American firefighting slogan that was introduced to Japan when the American Red Cross used it in 1923 (Taisho 12) to appeal for aid following the Great Kanto Earthquake.
These powerful words that crossed the ocean truly strike a chord, don’t they?
These are the words of Akio Tadano, who ran a ryokan in Ofunato, Iwate Prefecture—words about moving forward with a positive spirit even in the face of hardship.
At the time, many interviews carried a heavy sense of gloom and featured questions that stoked anxiety, which is why the fact that he delivered these words with a smile drew so much attention.
They convey a powerful hope amid uncertainty—the sense that by keeping on and not standing still, a new path will open.
The impression is further strengthened by the fact that Mr.
Tadano actually rebuilt his ryokan, embodying the importance of facing forward, just as he said.
What Japan gained after losing everything was hope… It planted the seeds of hope within us, who had been captivated by wealth.Ryu Murakami
I would like to share a famous quote by Ryū Murakami: “What Japan, having lost everything, gained was hope… It planted the seeds of hope within us, whose hearts had been captivated by wealth.” The Great East Japan Earthquake caused immense damage.
Many people must have spent their days in deep anxiety.
Yet it is precisely in such times that we must not forget “hope.” As the writer Ryū Murakami says, what we gain when everything is lost in a disaster is hope—the hope to live earnestly now and to dream of a brighter future.
In a Japan where everything is close at hand and life has become affluent, perhaps many of us have lost hope in exchange.
This also resonates with the story of Pandora’s box, in which hope remained at the end.
Even if you’re knocked down 99 times, all you need is to stand up the 100th time.Vincent van Gogh
Even if you’re knocked down 99 times, it’s enough to stand up the 100th time.
As a painter representing the Post-Impressionists, the Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh is still beloved around the world for his works today.
The quote, “Even if you’re knocked down 99 times, it’s enough to stand up the 100th,” evokes the dramatic life he led.
The message—that you haven’t lost unless you think you have, and that if you can smile in the end, you’ve won—can be a salvation for those on the verge of breaking.
It’s a maxim that, if adopted as a personal motto, will surely strengthen the heart.
People who don’t think about what to do can’t see what will happen.Katsuya Nomura
Katsuya Nomura, who won the Triple Crown during his playing days and continued to dedicate himself to the development of baseball after retirement.
Here is one of his famous quotes—it really hits home, doesn’t it? “Those who don’t think about what to do can’t see what will happen.” If you leave what you can’t do as something you can’t do, there will be no evolution or progress.
The people who think about how they can do it, and how taking action will change the situation, are the ones who grow and succeed.
When you fail or hesitate and come to a standstill, that is precisely your chance to grow.
It isn’t the strong who win; those who win are strong.Franz Beckenbauer
Franz Beckenbauer is a former German soccer player, famously known as “Der Kaiser.” His words will encourage you when you feel like giving up or getting discouraged because you think, “The opponent is too strong; I can’t win.” The one who wins is the strong one… When you hear terms like “powerhouse,” “strong competitor,” or “genius,” it’s natural to feel like you can’t win.
At times like that, remember his words and believe in your own strength!
In this world, there is a unique path that no one but you can walk.Friedrich Nietzsche
There is only one path in the world—your own | The teachings of Friedrich Nietzsche #Nietzsche #LifePath #SelfRealization
Friedrich Nietzsche, a classical philologist known as a leading thinker of existentialism, once said: “In the world there is only one path that no one but you can walk.” This famous quote is followed by: “Do not ask where that path will lead; just press forward.” Many people rejoice and despair by comparing themselves to masters, but if it is a path that only you can walk, perhaps there is no better or worse.
It is a message that teaches the importance of living true to yourself and helps you strive properly, day by day.
