When you’re pursuing your dreams and goals, or throwing yourself into daily work or school club activities, aren’t there times when your spirit feels like it might break even if you have great ambitions? The more serious you are, the more grave things can feel when you face difficulties.
In such moments, having words that support your heart might help you shift your mindset.
So this time, we’ve compiled a list of “quotes to inspire yourself” from great figures and well-known people.
From words that give you a strong push forward to those that gently stay by your side, we’ve gathered a wide range—so try finding the ones that resonate with you.
Messages from great figures that stir the soul! Inspirational quotes to motivate yourself (11–20)
Do not anticipate difficulties. Do not trouble your mind over things that may never happen. Always keep sunshine in your heart.Benjamin Franklin
Do not anticipate difficulties. Do not trouble your mind over things that may never happen. Always keep the sun in your heart.
Benjamin Franklin, a meteorologist who contributed to American independence and wore many hats as a politician, diplomat, writer, and physicist.
His famous quote, “Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen.
Keep in the sunlight,” reminds us of the importance of taking that first step.
When you’re about to start something new, do you ever find yourself imagining only the worst? Caution isn’t a bad thing, but this is a quote to remember when overthinking leaves you stuck.
You should have more faith in your talents and what you’ve done.Ichiro
It teaches us the importance of not underestimating ourselves and having confidence in the effort we’ve built up.
The more things don’t go well, the more we tend to think, “Maybe I can’t do it,” but the time we’ve spent working hard has never been wasted.
For example, even when results don’t come in a sport you’ve practiced for years, believing in the effort you’ve made and continuing on can turn into strength.
In studying as well, those who have kept at it steadily are the ones who can demonstrate their abilities when it counts.
These words convey that believing in yourself becomes the foundation that supports your next step.
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
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the novelist who wrote The Little Prince, a work loved around the world.
Here is a passage from one of his masterpieces, Night Flight.
Life never goes backward.
As we keep moving forward, we must overcome many things.
However, moving forward requires effort.
He tells us that as we proceed through life by trial and error, we can find solutions to each of our problems.
If you’re troubled and have come to a standstill, try, above all, to take a step forward.
What I want to tell people around the world is to make an effort. If you put your heart into it, you can achieve anything.Cindy Ngamba
Here are some words I want to share with those striving toward their dreams and goals.
They come from Cindy Ngamba, the women’s 75 kg boxer.
Cindy Ngamba won a brilliant bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, becoming the first medalist from the Refugee Olympic Team.
“What I want to tell people around the world is to work hard.
If you put your heart into it, you can achieve anything.” These words apply not only to sports but to everything in our daily lives.
From her message, you can feel her strong will and the grueling effort she puts in day after day—a powerful quote that pushes forward everyone who strives.
What matters is not practice, but the passion for practice.Pelé
Which is better: practicing just because you’re vaguely told to, or practicing hard with a clear goal in mind? Pelé, called the King of Soccer and admired by players and fans around the world—he captivated so many people precisely because, true to these words, he kept practicing tirelessly with passion, scored countless goals, and became a beloved figure worldwide.
Spending time on practice is sometimes important, but even more important, he teaches us, is approaching practice with your heart fully invested and your soul in it.
Impossible is not a fact, but an opinion.Muhammad Ali
These are words that seem to embody the relentless drive toward results, spoken by the champion Muhammad Ali, a legend in the world of boxing.
They convey the idea that “impossible” stems from preconceptions and weakness of will, and that if we keep a spirit of challenge, anything can be transformed into the possible.
By refusing to set limits and continuing to face challenges, anything becomes achievable, leading to great outcomes.
They are powerful words that evoke an attitude of fighting on without excuses and the strength of will to keep doing so.
Prioritizing the team’s victory over personal glory ultimately leads to individual success as well.Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi, a soccer player who represents Argentina and has won more than 40 titles including the FIFA Ballon d’Or and the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award.
Soccer is a team sport played by eleven players.
If you focus only on your own play, you may disrupt the team’s balance.
He shows us that if you first fight for the team—prioritizing winning as a whole and delivering results—it will also lead to your own individual achievements.
This applies not only to sports; when working in groups at school events or in the workplace, it might be best to act with the team’s needs before your own.
There is no such word as ‘limit’ in my dictionary.LeBron James
These words express the mindset of pushing beyond limits that many athletes hold in their hearts, including basketball player LeBron James.
Drawing on Napoleon Bonaparte’s famous quote, “The word impossible is not in my dictionary,” known from the French hero, it conveys a combative spirit.
It communicates the idea that limits are determined by one’s own mind, and that by continuing to believe you can keep going, you can achieve even greater results.
It’s a phrase that strongly conveys the courage to charge ahead without fearing limits and the determination to keep fighting.
