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.
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- Short quotes that reach your heart in an instant. Words to encourage you right now.
[One-line Life Quotes] Carefully Selected Words That Gently Push You Forward (1–10)
Preconceptions turn the possible into the impossible.Shohei Ohtani
Shohei Ohtani is a representative figure of the baseball world who, as a true two-way player, continues even now to set records that humanity has never achieved before.
There’s a famous quote: “Preconceptions turn possibilities into impossibilities.” When you try to do something, don’t you sometimes give up out of fear of past traumas or failures? Let’s break free from preconceived notions and take on new challenges.
Even in Ohtani’s simple words, you can feel a steadfast belief: he always puts baseball first, refuses to limit his own potential, and keeps taking on anything with a positive attitude.
His quotes all convey that spirit.
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.NEW!
These words teach us the importance of not blaming ourselves too much and of paying attention to problems in social structures and the environment.
For example, there are young people who want to become full-time employees but have few job openings and are forced to work in non-regular positions or for low wages.
There are also situations where tuition and housing costs are so high that people can’t pursue their dreams.
If we only think, “It’s because I didn’t try hard enough,” we can be crushed by the logic of personal responsibility.
What matters is recognizing the issues in society and its systems, speaking up, and calling for improvement.
These words convey the message that, in addition to individual effort, it’s necessary to adopt a perspective that reexamines fairness and the broader environment of society in order to make our lives and futures better.
Sweat you shed never liesNEW!Chiyonofuji Mitsugu
When does sweat run down our bodies? You might break out in a sweat due to changes in temperature or from fear, but if we’re talking about a sumo wrestler’s sweat, it’s surely the sweat shed during training.
Sumo is a world of competition—matches are often decided in an instant.
To rise to that decisive moment and demonstrate their true worth, wrestlers must train not only their bodies but also their minds to the utmost.
Chiyonofuji’s famous quote seems to say that tireless effort becomes one’s confidence and can, in turn, become the certainty of victory.
The fence isn’t built by others; it’s built by yourself.NEW!Aristotle
These words point you toward the idea that the feeling of others keeping their distance might actually be something you’re creating yourself.
When you sense hostility or a wall from someone, it’s important to face your own heart; by shifting your perspective, that wall may dissolve.
It conveys an encouraging message that precisely when you’re troubled by walls, you should broaden your thinking flexibly and find solutions.
It also seems like guidance that can prompt self-reflection, facing your inner self, and serve as a catalyst for growth.
Only the weak are unable to forgive; forgiveness is a sign of strength.NEW!Gandhi
Gandhi, who achieved India’s independence through nonviolence and civil disobedience.
This famous quote of his teaches us what true strength in a person really is.
Forgiving someone is not easy.
Especially when the other person is at fault, we tend to attack or hurl insults out of hatred.
Yet even in such situations, there are people who can put themselves in the other person’s shoes and choose to forgive.
They surely possess a broad and gentle heart, as well as the strength to believe in others.
Let’s strive to always keep a compassionate heart.
Starting something is not scary. What’s scary is starting nothing.Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is the god of the basketball world and has created countless legends.
His popularity hasn’t faded; he still has fans all over the world, and he’s so beloved that sneakers like Air Jordan continue to sell.
There’s a famous quote from Michael Jordan: “Starting something isn’t scary.
What’s scary is not starting anything.” When we begin something, we feel anxiety, hesitation, and all sorts of emotions, but his words remind us of the importance of taking a small first step and encourage a positive mindset to try without fearing failure.
Live as if you were to die tomorrow; learn as if you were to live forever.Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi was a national leader of India and a leader of the nonviolent resistance movement, and he had a profound influence on peace movements around the world.
One of Gandhi’s famous sayings is, “Live as if you were to die tomorrow; learn as if you were to live forever.” Within the limited time we have, let us live without regrets by always having goals, deepening our learning, and gaining experience.
Mahatma Gandhi sought peaceful solutions, working to resolve problems through dialogue rather than violence.