RAG Music - Quote A few words for life... carefully selected words to give One-Line Life Quotes: Carefully selected words that gently nudge you forward 10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminder kepiko 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 for 10 years as a kindergarten teacher and for 7 years as an after-school childcare instructor, then took a post as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I also engaged in activities that shared Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational play, working with many children. Afterwards, through freelance writing, planning, and editing work at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and conveying ideas. Leveraging the perspective cultivated in educational settings and my experience as an editor, I aim to deliver practical information—focusing on fields related to music and children—that values both input and output. Hobbies include instruments, singing, handcrafts, toys, drawing, traditional play, the outdoors, books, DIY, and crafts. Special skill: spinning-top tricks.
Accompanist / Piano Instructor yuri Accompanist pianist × piano instructor × web writer. I began piano lessons at age four and, inspired by my piano teacher, decided to pursue music. I went on to specialized music programs in high school and university, where I discovered the appeal of accompanying instrumentalists and singers. Currently, alongside teaching piano, I work mainly in my home region of Aichi as an accompanist for flute, voice, choir, and more. Through lessons, my students often introduce me to trending songs, and my hobby is trying anything on the piano—Japanese and Western pop, commercial jingles, and beyond. Since 2021, I’ve also been active as a web writer, covering music and a variety of other genres.
The words of great figures—who have accumulated many experiences, wrestled with doubts, and taken action throughout their lives—are filled with wisdom for living richly.
One way to learn from them is by reading autobiographies.
But many people may find it hard to make time to read thick volumes packed with the intense lives of those who came before us.
So in this article, we’ve selected and shared some special messages from the famous quotes of various notable people that can serve as hints for life.
If you read them when you hit a wall or feel lost and unsettled, you’ll likely find your heart calming and your thinking becoming clearer.
Table of Contents One-Line Life Quotes: Carefully selected words that gently nudge you forward Preconceptions turn the possible into the impossible. Shohei Ohtani What is hard to gain and easy to lose is time. Yoshida Shōin Starting something is not scary. What’s scary is starting nothing. Michael Jordan Live as if you were to die tomorrow; learn as if you were to live forever. Mahatma Gandhi Today, too, is a day of a lifetime. Yukichi Fukuzawa God doesn’t want us to succeed; He only wants us to try. Mother Teresa Actually, there isn’t a single person who’s completely safe/harmless/without flaws. Gorgo Matsumoto The greatest glory in living is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. Nelson Mandela Thoughts become words, words become actions, actions become habits, habits become character, and character becomes destiny. Margaret Thatcher The dreams you hold tend to produce results roughly proportional to your life. Masayoshi Son There is only one way to succeed: never give up. Jeff Bezos Life is short, my friend, so we have no time to make a fuss or quarrel. John Lennon No matter how distant a dream you have, as long as you believe in your own potential, it’s within reach. Hermann Hesse I decided not to quit while I was still in my prime, but to keep throwing even if I fall from grace and end up in tatters. Hideo Nomo Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy. Anne Frank All misfortunes are nothing but stepping stones to the future. Thoreau Some believe that clinging makes you stronger. But sometimes, letting go is what makes you strong. Hermann Hesse The key to resisting stress is being moved—above all else. And it’s also the secret to a long life. Shigeta Saitō If you fail, you can try again. If trying again doesn’t work, think it through once more and try again. Konosuke Matsushita Beyond the clouds, the sky is always blue. Louisa May Alcott If you believe in yourself, there are no limits. Cristiano Ronaldo If you worry about what you don’t have, you’ll waste what you do have. Ken Keyes Jr. The most important thing is to find what you love. Kobe Bryant There are no solutions in life. What exists in life is only a force in motion. We have to create that force. The solutions will follow afterward. Saint-Exupéry Always be yourself, express yourself, and believe in yourself. Don’t imitate some successful person’s example. Bruce Lee Doing things without changing what I aim for Ryo Ishikawa I wonder what truly matters to me. Who are the people who are truly important to me? I feel like just sincerely pondering these two things is enough to lead a good life. Shigesato Itoi There’s no need to look back. There are countless paths ahead of you. Lu Xun Happiness is always decided by your own heart. Mitsuo Aida Try not to become a person of success, but rather try to become a person of value. Albert Einstein I don’t resent at all that my start was an unfortunate one. Coco Chanel You only realize your own strength once you’ve overcome your anxieties and concerns. Serena Williams It is not noble to be superior to others. Ernest Hemingway If you carry out the result of gratitude first, the joy that causes it will arrive afterward. Tempū Nakamura Being honest doesn’t necessarily lead to having many friends. But it always leads to having true friends. John Lennon It’s not that we don’t try because it’s difficult. It becomes difficult because we don’t try. Lucius Annaeus Seneca What matters is not who you’ve been up to now, but who you’ll be from here on. Ella Fitzgerald Lifelong learning, lifelong youth. Mitsuo Aida Only one thing is necessary: believe you can do it. Anthony Robbins If you think you can, you can; if you think you can’t, you can’t. This is an unshakable, absolute law. Pablo Picasso Be true to the dreams of your youth. Friedrich von Schiller Dreams—nothing else creates the future. Victor Hugo Even when life doesn’t go well, it’s sometimes necessary not to blame yourself too much and to think that society is at fault. Sweat you shed never lies Chiyonofuji Mitsugu The fence isn’t built by others; it’s built by yourself. Aristotle Only the weak are unable to forgive; forgiveness is a sign of strength. Gandhi To challenge yourself is to grow. LeBron James Life and work outcomes = mindset × enthusiasm × ability Kazuo Inamori Your happiness in life depends on the quality of your thoughts. Marcus Aurelius Antoninus People deserve praise or blame solely based on whether they have the perseverance to see things through. Leonardo da Vinci No matter how much criticism I receive, I will stick to the path I believe in. Yoshihide Suga The attitude of refusing to listen to any criticism is wrong, but so is getting depressed when you hear it. Tarō Asō My soul will tell me when it’s time to move forward. Oprah Winfrey Don’t rush. But don’t give up. Shigeta Saitō Above all, the most important thing is to enjoy life, to feel happiness—that’s all that matters. Audrey Hepburn In life, “success” is not guaranteed. However, in life, “growth” is guaranteed. Yuji Nakazawa The best investment, in my opinion, is investing in yourself. Warren Buffett The loneliest are the strongest. Keita Goto Results will follow later. Ichiro Joy must have sorrow, and sorrow must have joy. Goethe The key to success is to start right now. Mark Twain I think you should do what you like. Seiji Chihara Success and failure mean the same thing. Seiji Chihara I want to teach the people booing me that in life, the time for revenge always comes. Juan Sebastián Verón Talent can change depending on how you choose to live your life afterward. Dragan Stojković You only get one chance. That’s why I’m always prepared. Carlos Caetano Bledorn Verri The one who thinks it’s the beginning is me, and the one who thinks it’s already the end is also me. Federico Fellini Those who do not learn blame others. Those who are beginning to learn blame themselves. Those who understand what it means to learn blame no one. I want to be someone who keeps on learning. Kazu Miura If I can’t make it at 30, I’ll do it at 34—and if that doesn’t work, I’ll do it at 38. I’m never giving up. Masashi Nakayama May music lift the burdens from your life and help you share happiness with others. Ludwig van Beethoven Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. Thomas Alva Edison I want to aim for the place I couldn’t reach. Tanaka Marcus Tulio So that’s it—that’s the blue bird we’ve been searching for. We went so far to look for it, but it was really here all along. Maurice Maeterlinck It isn’t easy to surpass the great heroes of the past. But who can say for sure that you can’t? Dimitar Berbatov It’s in the worst situations that our humanity is truly tested. Don’t trust people who try to run away or hide in those moments. Alan Shearer Even if it means taking a bit of a detour, I believe that as long as you don’t forget your goal, you’ll get there someday. Shunsuke Nakamura What matters is not missing the moment. Even if a chance comes around, it’s meaningless if you don’t deliver results. Iker Casillas Fernández Only those who keep challenging themselves can seize success. W. Clement Stone If the system can win, there’s no need for a manager (or coach). Arthur Antunes Coimbra (Zico) Do not neglect self-discipline, or else human progress will come to a halt. Guus Hiddink Because there is a premise of happiness, we are able to find unhappiness. Kazlaser It’s okay. Let’s rebuild again. Akio Tadano If you endure, you will surely become a strong person. Senichi Hoshino Prepare pessimistically, act optimistically. Kazuo Inamori Humans will end up happy anyway. Kazlaser If you don’t give up on yourself, there is no such thing as losing in life. Shigeta Saitō Eliminate mental wavering by returning to the origin. Yuto Nagatomo Effort opens every door. Jean de La Fontaine You can just be yourself. Mother Teresa It’s important to honestly admit your own ignorance. If you do, someone will surely appear who will teach you enthusiastically. Walt Disney Think about a problem from every possible angle until you find a solution, but once it’s solved, never worry about it again. Dale Carnegie [One-Line Life Quotes] Carefully selected words that gently push you forward (51–60) No matter how much criticism I receive, I will stick to the path I believe in. Yoshihide Suga These words from Yoshihide Suga are ones I hope you’ll remember when you’re feeling weak.
I’m sure each of you has something you’ve decided for yourself, no matter how small.
There will be times when others offer opinions or criticize what you’ve decided.
It may be difficult to stick to what you believe is right.
Precisely because these are the words of someone who has acted without bending his convictions, they carry weight and persuasiveness.
At the same time, they also express the importance of taking responsibility for what you decide and putting it into action.
expand_less Raise the rankingexpand_more lower
The attitude of refusing to listen to any criticism is wrong, but so is getting depressed when you hear it. Tarō Asō This message clearly conveys the difficult theme of how to face criticism.
If you shut your ears, you lose chances to grow; if you take everything to heart, your spirit will break.
It argues for the importance of avoiding those extremes: maintaining your own center while taking in only the feedback you need.
Especially in today’s world, where we’re easily swayed by ratings and noise, it urges us to be calm and strong.
It teaches the sense of distance needed to protect yourself while moving forward.
A practical quote that teaches mental resilience.
expand_less Raise the rankingexpand_more lower
My soul will tell me when it’s time to move forward. Oprah Winfrey Here is a famous quote from Oprah Winfrey, who is a host, actress, and philanthropist.
Her show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, has won many awards, and perhaps this is something she came to understand through hosting it.
If you keep your senses sharp, you’ll know when it’s your time to act—what a cool way not to leave your life up to others.
It reflects a healthy self-confidence and a sense of responsibility, and it’s something I’d like to emulate.
expand_less Raise the rankingexpand_more lower
Don’t rush. But don’t give up. Shigeta Saitō These are the words of Shigeta Saito, a psychiatrist who has supported many people’s hearts and conveyed ways of living through numerous writings.
When we keep making an effort, there are moments when we want to rush the results, but impatience narrows our perspective.
On the other hand, if we stand still and take no action, no progress can be made.
In studying, what matters is maintaining composure while not stopping your steps.
Even small steps, if continued, will surely move you forward.
It’s a famous saying that teaches us the value of trusting your own pace and persevering with tenacity.
expand_less Raise the rankingexpand_more lower
Above all, the most important thing is to enjoy life, to feel happiness—that’s all that matters. Audrey Hepburn This is a famous quote by Audrey Hepburn that has been featured in various contexts: introduced as a creed for the Mrs Mr of the Year contest that celebrates cool women, covered by the women’s magazine ELLE on its web platform, and even highlighted by the official X account of the Licca-chan doll.
It’s often treated as a phrase that particularly resonates with women, but because it captures the essence of life, it’s a quote worth cherishing in our hearts regardless of gender.
expand_less Raise the rankingexpand_more lower
In life, “success” is not guaranteed. However, in life, “growth” is guaranteed. Yuji Nakazawa These are the words of Yuji Nakazawa, a former soccer player who played for Yokohama F.
Marinos.
Life isn’t filled only with fun or success.
However, anyone can grow depending on their mindset.
They are words that only a soccer player—someone who is constantly side by side with growth—can truly say.
expand_less Raise the rankingexpand_more lower
The best investment, in my opinion, is investing in yourself. Warren Buffett Warren Buffett is a renowned American investor who ranks among the world’s billionaires.
In an interview, when asked for advice on achieving future success in business, he shared a famous quote: “The best investment you can make is in yourself.” He emphasizes that, rather than learning complex formulas, it’s essential to develop strong communication skills, take care of your soul and body—in other words, refine yourself—to achieve success.
Let’s value ourselves and, even if only step by step, keep steadily moving forward with faith in our success.
expand_less Raise the rankingexpand_more lower
The loneliest are the strongest. Keita Goto These are the words of Keita Goto, founder of the Tokyu Group.
People tend to want to live and act in groups, but this saying is the complete opposite.
Becoming solitary can feel lonely and frightening, yet it makes you realize that it is the path to becoming the strongest person.
expand_less Raise the rankingexpand_more lower
Results will follow later. Ichiro These are words of wisdom from Ichiro, a professional baseball player who holds numerous records.
His words, born not only of talent but of unimaginable hard work, make us realize important things beyond baseball.
While we’re in the midst of working hard, we can’t help but want immediate results.
But when we hear these words, the outcome stops mattering, and we feel like pouring our whole selves into what we’re doing right now.
expand_less Raise the rankingexpand_more lower
Joy must have sorrow, and sorrow must have joy. Goethe These are words from Goethe, the German poet known for many famous sayings.
Effort is indispensable for accomplishing anything.
By focusing even on the nature of that effort, these words inspire us to give our very best when we hear them.
expand_less Raise the rankingexpand_more lower
