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!
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- Uplifting words by great figures and famous people that, despite their brevity, convey a sense of philosophy.
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- A cool one-line message of support
Words I want to make my motto—ones that always spur me on (71–80)
Beneath mud and earth lies solid rock; above clouds and mist shines the sun. At the height of discontent, there is still fortune, nor is hope absent.Kanzo Uchimura
I would like to introduce a famous saying by Kanzo Uchimura: “Beneath the mud lies bedrock; above the clouds and mist shines the sun.
Even at the height of complaint, happiness and hope are not absent.” Kanzo Uchimura was a Christian thinker active in the Meiji era.
Disasters can bring many hardships.
At such times, Uchimura left words he hoped we would remember.
It is said to mean that even when times are painful and difficult now, a stable and bright future surely awaits beyond.
He likens difficult situations to mud, and the bedrock represents the strength within us that lies beneath these serious problems.
Furthermore, he tells us that even when we feel or voice complaints, happiness and hope still exist.
Life brings all kinds of experiences, doesn’t it? Even so, we are reminded of the importance of maintaining a positive outlook.
The moment you feel completely satisfied is, in other words, the moment you begin to decline.Eiichi Shibusawa
The entrepreneur Eiichi Shibusawa, who drew attention as the portrait on the new 10,000-yen bill issued in July 2024, was involved in founding institutions such as Mizuho Bank, the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Because of these achievements, he is known as the “father of Japanese capitalism.” His declaration that staying where you are is not “stability” but “decline” is truly sobering.
It inspires a determination to keep renewing oneself.
I think it resonates not only with businesspeople but also with those dedicated to sports.
If you don’t give up on yourself, there is no such thing as losing in life.Shigeta Saitō
Psychiatrist Shigeta Saito—who was also active as an essayist and public speaker and was affectionately known as “Mota-san.” From his famous saying, “As long as you don’t give up on yourself, there is no such thing as ‘losing’ in life,” we can learn the truth that everything depends on your own mindset.
Rather than being elated or dejected by wins and losses at life’s turning points, his message teaches that true victory lies in never giving up until the end.
It’s a quote to remember when you’re on the verge of setback or when your spirit is about to break—one that gives you the courage to stand up once more.
Those who accomplish great things are always bold adventurers.Charles de Montesquieu
The French philosopher Charles de Montesquieu, often regarded as a father of sociology, left us a memorable quote: “Those who accomplish great things are always bold adventurers.” It’s a message worth keeping close to heart.
If we only do what anyone can think of, we won’t achieve results beyond imagination.
By advancing with conviction and facing what others don’t expect or have avoided, we can reach uncharted territory—this is what the quote seems to teach us.
It’s an inspiring motto that encourages us to take the first courageous step.
Effort opens every door.Jean de La Fontaine
Jean de La Fontaine is a poet whom every French person knows and is said to remember for life.
His famous quote, “Diligence is the mother of good fortune” (literally, “Effort opens every door”), is simple yet packed with truth.
The message that anything can be achieved if we face it earnestly and make the effort it deserves is something many people understand but struggle to act on.
Of course, there are times when effort alone won’t get us there, but it never leaves us with nothing.
It’s a saying worth engraving in our hearts, one that can serve as a guiding principle in life.
Heaven does not extend a helping hand to those who do not act for themselves.William Shakespeare
The poet William Shakespeare, who left behind numerous works including the four great tragedies and is hailed as a leading figure of English Renaissance drama.
The famous quote, “Heaven helps those who help themselves,” may prompt us to confront our own actions.
Reality is not so easy that miracles will happen if we leave things to fate or to others.
This saying teaches us that things turn around as if aided by heaven precisely because of what we have built up through our own actions.
To become the best in the world, you need world-class effort.Keisuke Honda
Keisuke Honda is known as a former member of Japan’s national soccer team and is currently an active professional player who effectively serves as the owner of several professional clubs.
His famous quote, “To become the best in the world, you need to make the world’s best effort,” is a message that only someone like Honda—who has literally competed on the world stage—could truly convey.
If you place yourself in a world where rankings and hierarchies exist, it’s natural that everyone strives to reach the top.
Within that baseline of effort, to actually become number one, you have to work the hardest.
It sounds simple when put into words, but it’s something we tend to forget.
That’s why this quote is one I hope anyone with dreams or goals will engrave in their heart.