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!
- Words from famous people that I’d like to adopt as my motto. Inspiring quotes that convey the power of words.
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- Encouraging words that give you strength. Words you’ll want to share with those around you.
- Words that strongly push you forward and give you energy
- If you know them, they might become beacons that light your life’s path: a collection of memorable quotes.
- You can push a little further! Inspiring quotes from great figures to boost your study motivation
- Keep your favorite words close. A short collection of quotes that comfort the heart.
- Uplifting words by great figures and famous people that, despite their brevity, convey a sense of philosophy.
- You might even find your motto—short phrases that leave a lasting impression.
- A cool one-line message of support
Words I want as my motto that always spur me on (111–120)
The heart never strays from the Way.Miyamoto Musashi
Many of the disciplines regarded as traditionally Japanese—such as kendo, judo, and aikido—include the character for “dō” (the Way) in their names.
And although they are not sports, ikebana (kado), the tea ceremony (sado), and kōdō (the way of incense) also use this character.
This may be a somewhat self-serving interpretation, but I suspect Japanese people applied the character “dō” to practices that require long years of training.
Of course, Miyamoto Musashi’s “dō” refers to the Way of swordsmanship.
To think of nothing but that, whatever one is doing—this strikes me as a grand word that encapsulates Musashi himself.
There are two things you can change: yourself and the future.Hideyo Noguchi
These words convey the importance of focusing not on the unchangeable past or circumstances, but on your own actions and the future ahead.
Everyone has moments when they want to blame past failures or their environment, but that won’t move anything forward.
It is the present self that creates the future, and the path can change dramatically depending on your actions.
Hideyo Noguchi also refused to be defeated by difficult circumstances and opened up his future by continually improving himself.
Even when you find yourself dwelling on the past, this quote gives you the courage to believe that you have the power to change the future.
A genius is someone who studies three, four, even five times harder than anyone else.Hideyo Noguchi
These words express Hideyo Noguchi’s belief that it is effort—not talent or innate intelligence—that produces results.
Even those called geniuses are, behind the scenes, often working harder than anyone else.
Confronting poverty and the aftereffects of a severe burn, he studied more diligently than anyone to achieve his dreams.
If you wish to accomplish something, this teaches that rather than dwelling on whether you have talent, you must first be prepared to put in many times more effort than others.
It conveys the idea that making an effort is the only way to surpass your own limits.
If you truly fought for what is right, there’s no shame in losing.Katherine Anne Porter
Katherine Anne Porter, an American political activist who worked across a wide range of fields as a journalist, essayist, short story writer, novelist, and poet.
Her message, “If you’ve fought truly for the right thing, there is no shame in losing,” may sustain us even when we face unwanted outcomes.
Not only in struggles but also when we act on our convictions, results don’t always follow.
Outcomes matter, of course, but what truly counts is what we were striving for; this famous quote teaches us that if we gave our all, there is no need to regret the result—even if it is a disappointing one.
Do not abandon the hero within your soul.Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich Nietzsche, a classical philologist often interpreted as a representative thinker of existentialism.
His famous words, “Do not abandon the hero in your soul,” convey the importance of valuing yourself.
Everyone possesses talents and potential within, but when we compare ourselves to others or face a string of setbacks, our spirits can break.
However, if you give up on yourself, that’s when everything truly ends.
These words teach us to believe in ourselves to the very end.
My inner self commands me to keep going like this.Vincent van Gogh
Speaking of Van Gogh, he’s known for not being highly regarded during his lifetime and for selling very few of his paintings.
He gained recognition only after his death, and many of his famous works—such as Sunflowers and The Starry Night—were painted in his later years.
One memorable quote he left is, “Go on as you are; the ‘me’ within me commands it.” Isn’t that a statement very much in keeping with Van Gogh, who lived his entire life as a painter regardless of how little recognition he received? Being true to oneself isn’t easy, but if you can stay steadfast like Van Gogh, you might just leave your name behind as one of the geniuses.
Even if my life is a losing battle, I want to fight until the very end.Vincent van Gogh
That’s a very powerful quote.
There probably aren’t many people who choose to fight a losing battle when they know they’ll lose.
No one likes losing, and working hard only to lose is painful.
But it seems Van Gogh wanted to live his life to the very end, even knowing it was a losing battle.
How about you? You never really know if it’s a losing battle until the very end.
Van Gogh wasn’t appreciated during his lifetime, but he became very famous after his death.
Perhaps that’s because he kept believing in himself and lived true to that belief until the end.