You might even find your motto—short phrases that leave a lasting impression.
Words from great and famous people can linger in our hearts, even if they’re just a single phrase.
Those who have achieved something or who keep taking on challenges each have their own convictions and resolve, and even their briefest words carry power.
This time, I’ve put together a list of such memorable quotes.
They’re all the kind of sayings you’ll want to etch into your heart and remember.
Since they’re short, they’re perfect as personal mottos—so don’t miss them!
Jot them down so you can recall them right away.
You might even find your motto? Short, memorable phrases (1–10)
Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground.Theodore Roosevelt
These words tell us to never lose sight of our dreams and goals, and to keep moving forward with our feet firmly on the ground.
They come from Theodore Roosevelt, who served as the 26th president of the United States.
It was likely this conviction that enabled him to leave behind so many achievements that embodied a “strong America.” To chase a dream, we can’t drift along in a hazy emotional state.
Precisely because we pursue our dreams, we must keep our feet on the ground and advance steadily—this is what these words teach us.
Because we dream, life shines.Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the Austrian musician who left behind numerous masterpieces such as The Magic Flute and Eine kleine Nachtmusik.
These words of his seem to embody his very life.
When we have a dream, we think hard about it and strive toward it, don’t we? There may be many hardships along the way, but even so, as long as we are working toward our dream, it somehow feels enjoyable.
This saying tells us that a life in which even hardships can be felt as joy is one filled with brilliance.
To lead a shining life, please cherish the process of making your dreams come true.
Trust others, but trust yourself a hundred times more.Osamu Tezuka
Osamu Tezuka, the manga artist behind numerous popular works such as Astro Boy and Black Jack, left us with these words that teach the importance of believing in yourself.
Trusting the person you’re working with is very important.
However, you mustn’t simply be swept along by the other person’s opinions.
These words seem to say that unless you trust yourself and your own opinions even more than you trust others—and act on them—it has no meaning.
Whether you’re moving forward on your own or together with someone else, start by believing in yourself first and foremost!
There is no retirement from making people happy.Colonel Sanders
Colonel Harland Sanders, the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken—a fast-food chain born in America and wildly popular in Japan—left behind these words, which are filled with profound kindness.
True to them, he devoted his life to serving his customers.
Even if your role changes, even if you step back from public engagement with society, you can always bring happiness to the person right in front of you and share kindness, no matter your age.
I hope to be someone who can always hold on to that kindness—the desire to make someone happy.
Don’t hesitate to be happy.John Lennon
Accepting a happy situation might actually be harder than we expect.
Still, becoming happy is important for everyone in life.
That’s why these words encourage us to accept it without hesitation.
They come from John Lennon, who gave the world countless masterpieces as a member of the Beatles.
When happiness is right in front of us, many of us tend to think negatively—wondering if it’s just an illusion, if something terrible will happen next, or if someone will envy us.
But it’s okay! This happiness is meant for you, so don’t overthink it—just receive it honestly and wholeheartedly.
Today is the first day of the rest of your life.Charles Dederich
These words inspire us to live each day with greater appreciation.
They come from Charles Dederich, the founder of Synanon, an American organization that helped people with drug addiction.
Being able to live an ordinary life every day is never something to be taken for granted.
Yet as we go about our daily lives, it’s something we tend to forget.
That’s exactly why we should read these words and renew our resolve to cherish each day.
Beyond the clouds, the sky is always blue.Louisa May Alcott
These words give us hope that even when something painful happens that clouds our hearts, there will surely be something wonderful ahead that clears the skies.
They come from Louisa May Alcott, the novelist who wrote Little Women and many other works.
Even just believing that good things are waiting for us beyond the lows and unpleasant moments can give us the strength to look forward.
All the more in tough times, let’s keep this mindset and face forward!
You can’t shake hands with a clenched fist.Indira Gandhi
When you shake hands, it’s natural to do so with an open hand.
Clenching your fist might suggest you’re angry with the other person or harboring violent feelings.
These words proclaim the true meaning of opening your hand and engaging in a firm handshake.
They come from Indira Gandhi, who became India’s first female prime minister.
Her message is that merely making a fist and resorting to violence resolves nothing and brings no peace.
This is a mindset we should value not only in the face of something as vast as war, but also in our everyday relationships.
You can just be yourself.Mother Teresa
As we go about our days, we sometimes worry, wondering, “Is this really okay?” or “What should I do from here?” The future isn’t something we can see, so it’s only natural to feel uncertain.
But once we start worrying, we can get stuck in a negative loop that’s hard to escape.
In those moments, remember Mother Teresa’s words: “You just need to be yourself.” Your strengths and your flaws are all part of your uniqueness.
You don’t have to become someone else—living true to yourself is what matters most.
It’s a famous quote filled with a warm and encouraging message.
Since we are being kept alive, let’s simply feel grateful. We are kept alive because our lives are worth living.Jakuchō Setouchi
Jakuchō Setouchi, who also served as the chief priest of Tendai-ji Temple and as president of Tsuruga Women’s Junior College, is also known as a novelist who received awards such as the Women’s Literature Prize and the Tanizaki Jun’ichirō Prize.
Here is one of her famous sayings to remember when you hit a major wall in life or find yourself in doubt: We can never live all by ourselves.
We are kept alive by the support of those around us.
And the reason we are kept alive is that we ourselves are recognized as people of worth.
Simply being alive is happiness, and something we should fundamentally be grateful for.
Why not tuck these words quietly into your heart and keep them as a charm?