Words I want to make my motto that always inspire me
A motto is something you keep close at hand or etch into your heart as a reminder to keep yourself in check.
It’s said that people used to choose them from proverbs, idioms, and four-character compounds, but in recent years many have adopted famous quotations from great figures as their mottos.
What matters is whether it serves as a compass for your life and something you can lean on.
So this time, I’ve put together a list of words and phrases you might want to use as your motto.
They’re drawn from a wide range of sources—historical figures, business leaders, athletes, and more—so be sure to take a look!
- Mottos that are sure to lift your spirits and keep you positive!
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Words I want to make my motto—phrases (101–110) that always lift my spirits
People stumble their way toward success.Mary Kay Ash
Mary Kay Ash, the entrepreneur known as the founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics in the United States, once said, “People stumble toward success.” This quote teaches us that it’s only natural to stumble precisely because the path is difficult.
If we walk an easy, level road, we can move forward without change or hardship, but it’s hard to keep going the same way on a long and rugged journey.
People tend to feel broken or give up when they stumble, but if we can believe it’s because we’re on the right path, we may find the courage to hold our ground and push forward.
Once you’ve chosen a path, never give up.Katharine Hepburn
Katherine Hepburn, an American actor also known for winning four Oscars.
Her famous quote, “Once you choose a path, never give up,” conveys the way of life of someone who achieved great things.
Whether the choice was entirely your own or not, the message of pressing forward on the path you’ve chosen expresses a resolve that can serve as a guide for living in any era.
It’s an energizing quote that also makes a great personal motto.
It’s hope and confidence that make things happen.Helen Keller
Helen Keller was an American author who, despite losing her sight and hearing shortly after birth, was active as a disability rights advocate, political activist, and public speaker.
Her famous quote, “Optimism and self-confidence are what make things happen,” quite literally emphasizes the importance of having hope and believing in yourself.
When we set big dreams or goals, many of us may feel discouraged by the long journey ahead and give up.
This message teaches us that first embracing hope and confidence—and carrying them through to the end—is essential for accomplishing great feats.
I want to turn both the reality of the good and the reality of the bad into nourishment for what comes next.Naoko Takahashi
Former track and field athlete Naoko Takahashi, known as the gold medalist at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and the first woman in Japanese sports to receive the People’s Honor Award.
Her famous quote, “I want to turn both the reality of good things and the reality of bad things into nourishment for what comes next,” is quintessential Takahashi, whose radiant smile stood out even through the rigors of competitive life.
If we can turn everything that happens to us into power, we should be able to keep growing.
It’s a positive saying that encourages viewing both the good and the bad in a constructive light.
In the midst of difficulty lies opportunity.Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein, a theoretical physicist hailed as the greatest of the 20th century, left behind numerous achievements.
The famous quote, “In the midst of difficulty lies opportunity,” is a message that perhaps only Einstein—who fundamentally transformed the way physics was understood at the time—could deliver.
Avoiding difficulty isn’t inherently bad, but when avoidance leads to stagnation, choosing to confront challenges can reveal things we couldn’t see before.
This quote teaches us that precisely in the places everyone tends to avoid lies the chance to reach what no one else has achieved.
It’s never too late to become the person you wanted to be.George Eliot
George Eliot, a prominent Victorian author known for works rich in psychological insight and realism.
Her famous quote, “It is never too late to be what you might have been,” carries a message that reminds us of ideals we were about to give up on.
As we grow older, we tend to let go of our dreams and ideals.
However, she teaches us that if we truly desire it and put in the effort, we can become the person we wanted to be at any time.
This is a recommended quote for those who need the courage to take the first step.
Today is the first day of the rest of your life.Charles Dederich
Charles Dederich, founder of Synanon, an organization established in the United States to help people with drug addiction.
The famous quote, “Today is the first day of the rest of your life,” is a message that looks to the future rather than the past.
The idea that every day is full of opportunities to be reborn carries particular weight precisely because it comes from Dederich, who dedicated himself to supporting people struggling with addiction.
Thanks to its positivity, it’s a great quote to adopt as a personal motto.
Victory comes to those who are most patient.Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon Bonaparte, the military leader who restored order after the French Revolution and was crowned Emperor of the First French Empire.
His famous quote, “Victory belongs to the most persevering,” literally conveys the importance of enduring.
No matter how talented or capable you are, without opportunity you cannot grasp glory.
And many people fail to wait until that opportunity arrives, letting it slip away.
This quote teaches us that the patience needed to watch for the right timing and circumstances is the true key to success.
The goddess of fate favors those who act boldly.Niccolò Machiavelli
Niccolò Machiavelli, an Italian political thinker known for advocating a realist political theory that politics should be considered separately from religion and morality.
His famous saying, “Fortune favors the bold,” can give us courage to face challenges.
Those who do nothing will never encounter opportunities, but taking action brings change and progress—doesn’t it? It’s a message I hope people who lack confidence in their initiative will adopt as a personal motto.
Even if you’re knocked down 99 times, all you need is to stand up the 100th time.Vincent van Gogh
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.