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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- 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
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- 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 to make my motto—phrases (31–40) that always spur me on
Achieve great things by accumulating small efforts.Ninomiya Sontoku
In the past, many schools had statues of Ninomiya Sontoku.
His famous sayings truly make you feel, “That’s exactly right.” From his impoverished boyhood, he worked steadily, little by little, and on that foundation he went on to accomplish great undertakings.
His maxims, born from that experience, can be called words of truth, not merely thoughts conceived in the head.
They also suggest that great things aren’t achieved all of a sudden; the daily accumulation of effort matters too.
To set a big goal, why not start with small, everyday goals you can actually do?
Life’s only failure is not to try.Lindsey Vonn
Despite suffering an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee, skier Lindsey Vonn competed in the Milan-Cortina Olympics.
She entered the race with strong determination, but fell and was taken to the hospital—ending with a complex fracture of her shin.
While facing that reality, she left these words.
Looking at the result, anyone would probably say it was a failure.
But Lindsey Vonn sees it differently.
She stood on the stage where victories are won and chose to compete, no matter her condition… For her, simply standing in the start gate was already a victory.
A professional never makes excuses, no matter what.Chiyonofuji Mitsugu
There may be many people who make excuses when they lose.
They don’t want to be blamed or disappoint others because of their defeat, so they’re tempted to pin the cause of the loss on something other than themselves.
But Chiyonofuji voiced a firm resolve that professionals are not allowed to do that.
By eliminating excuses—external conditions, health, judges’ decisions—he focused all his energy on action.
And when he lost, he accepted the facts and confronted his own shortcomings.
He called this mindset a philosophy of personal responsibility, and stated that it leads to true strength.
Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.Mahatma Gandhi
Here are the words of Mahatma Gandhi, who led the people to independence through nonviolence and civil disobedience.
As this saying suggests, it’s very important to live each day without regret and to never lose the will to keep learning.
As adults, we tend to drift through our days or forget to learn, but this quote gives our hearts a jolt.
Gandhi is said to have been very strict with himself and his family.
While taking breaks from time to time, we still want to keep ourselves disciplined, don’t we?
If you’re going to think, think big. If you’re going to live, live big.
When we set goals, we tend to choose targets that feel achievable.
Small steps are fine if they ultimately lead to a big goal, but it’s a waste to limit yourself from the start.
This quote teaches us that by thinking and acting on a larger scale, the dreams and goals we achieve grow larger too.
The version of yourself you imagine might actually be capable of much greater things.
Try setting goals on a scale that feels almost impossible at first!
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.Laozi
This famous quote by Laozi, the renowned Chinese philosopher, is often covered in schools, so it might be one of the most well-known sayings.
As the quote suggests, achieving great things requires steady, persistent effort, and it may also imply that we must not neglect the basics.
There’s a similar saying, “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” which shows that people around the world have long understood the importance of patient, consistent work.
It’s in the moments you decide that your destiny is shaped.Anthony Robbins
These are the words of Anthony Robbins, a world-renowned personal development coach who has influenced countless lives.
They show that the turning points that move our lives aren’t determined by environment or talent, but by the decisions we make in each moment.
Even in studying, the future begins to change from the instant you decide to tackle just a little today.
Even if you feel doubt or anxiety, the choice to take action will surely build confidence.
Decisions come with responsibility, but it is precisely that weight that fosters growth.
It’s a powerful quote that underscores the importance of learning proactively.
It’s easy when you’re on the ascent and riding momentum. A person’s true worth is determined when they’re in a tight spot.Taihō Kōki
Everyone feels good when they’re on a roll.
It feels like everything is going your way.
But life isn’t an endless uphill climb.
Even Taihō, who left us these words, lost the bout that would have given him a record 69 consecutive wins.
That match is known as the century’s great misjudgment and led to the introduction of video review.
There was an official objection to the decision, but after deliberation, Taihō was handed the loss.
He naturally had regrets, but after the bout he said, “It was my fault for fighting like that.” A person’s true worth is decided when they’re in a tight spot… a quote worth remembering.
One more step. I think this at all times: one more step. This moment is the most important. One more step.Saneatsu Mushanokōji
Saneatsu Mushanokōji, a novelist also known for participating in the launch of the magazine Shirakaba.
This quote embodies a spirit of never being satisfied with the status quo and always striving to improve.
It’s good to act with goals, but if you want to keep growing, you need to move even further forward.
This is the “one more step” for that purpose.
By never forgetting that step, no matter the circumstances, you’ll always be able to meet a new version of yourself.
Even a small step is fine—let’s become a better version of ourselves than we were yesterday.
It is not noble to be superior to others.Ernest Hemingway
These are the words of Ernest Hemingway, a Nobel Prize-winning author who had a profound impact on literary history.
His words show that value lies not in comparing ourselves to others, but in our own growth.
When you keep studying, you may find yourself worrying about others’ grades and progress, and feel anxious.
But what truly matters is whether you’ve taken one step forward from who you were yesterday.
Small, steady efforts build confidence and sustain your attitude toward learning.
It’s a famous quote that quietly teaches the meaning of striving on your own terms.