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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- A cool one-line message of support
Words I want to make my motto—phrases that always inspire me (61–70)
If you stay focused, you can overcome any obstacle.Warren Buffett
These are the words of Warren Buffett, an American investor who has built a record of steady results through long-term investing.
His success was not the product of split-second decisions, but of a sustained commitment to focus.
In studying as well, getting distracted by too much information scatters your results.
By identifying what needs to be done and concentrating on the task at hand, you can overcome difficult obstacles little by little.
Patiently sustained focus leads to significant outcomes.
It’s a famous quote that quietly teaches the importance of the quality of effort.
To live is not to breathe, but to act.Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, the French philosopher who profoundly influenced ideas such as democracy that emerged from the French Revolution.
He is known as the author of the famous book The Social Contract, in which he articulated the concept of the “social contract,” encompassing both “living as an individual in one’s own right” and “connecting with others when necessary.” True to form, the words he crafted return to the fundamental question of what it takes for a person to live as a human being.
They are steadfast maxims that help you take that hesitant first step.
No matter how tough the situation, in the end the only thing that supports you is your ‘aspiration’ (your guiding purpose).Sanae Takaichi
These words express the idea that politicians should move forward with conviction, and that it is precisely that aspiration which gives them the strength to face hardships.
When you consider that they likely come from someone who has been a politician for a long time and experienced difficulties, you can sense how strong their resolve must have been.
Conversely, it can also be read to mean that politicians without conviction cannot endure, so their years of activity may reflect the strength of their convictions.
It also makes you want to pay attention to what kind of aspiration it was that gave them the power to overcome so many struggles.
The person I aspire to be is myself.Yuzuru Hanyu
Yuzuru Hanyu is a figure skater with a brilliant record, including back-to-back Olympic titles and a World Championship victory.
His many successes are echoed in his words, which emphasize pursuing one’s own ideals and limits rather than comparing oneself to others.
Never satisfied with past records or achievements, he constantly strives for self-improvement, and his way of life teaches many people the true essence of achieving goals.
Instead of living by comparison, his commitment to following the path he believes in offers motivation to keep putting in the effort.
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.
killing two birds with one stone
They say, “If you take a walk in the park, you can refresh your mind and make up for a lack of exercise—truly killing two birds with one stone.” This means that by walking in the park and moving your body, you’ll both lift your spirits and address insufficient exercise.
It’s a four-character idiom used to express gaining two benefits or results from a single action.
When using the idiom ‘ikkyō ryōtoku’ (killing two birds with one stone), clearly explaining what action you take and what benefits or results you gain will make your point more persuasive and easier for others to understand.
Once-in-a-lifetime encounter
The four-character idiom “ichigo ichie” carries the meaning of cherishing the special, once-in-a-lifetime moment at hand, and is rooted in the teachings of the tea master Sen no Rikyū.
Through the words of Rikyū’s disciple Yamanoue Sōji, the phrase spread in the Edo period when the tea master Ii Naosuke recorded it as “ichigo ichie” in his collection Tea Gatherings: Once-in-a-Lifetime Meetings.
“Ichigo” means “a lifetime,” and “ichie” means “a single tea gathering.” It’s a beautiful saying that encourages both the host and the guests of a tea gathering to approach the occasion with wholehearted sincerity, as if it were a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
telepathy; tacit understanding (literally: ‘heart-to-heart communication’)
Communicating solely through the heart is called “ishin-denshin.” Normally, when we convey something to someone, we use spoken or written words.
But there are times when it’s hard to express things in words.
In such moments, it’s nice to have someone who can pick up on how you feel.
With a close friend, you may sometimes understand each other without putting your feelings into words.
Someone you can share ishin-denshin with is likely a person who always pays close attention to you and understands you deeply.
friendly rivalry; mutual improvement through competition
He says, “I’ve been able to grow this far by spurring each other on with my cohort at the company.” This means that because there was someone who joined the company at the same time as he did, he worked hard with the determination not to lose to him—both as a rival and as a teammate—and they grew by pushing each other to improve.
The term “sessatakuma” refers to mutually encouraging and competing with one another to improve in work, study, and as human beings.
It’s a four-character idiom used for relationships within a group or team where people positively stimulate each other and boost motivation.
Forge ahead with courage
@az0202za #GoForwardBravely #YūōMaishin #FourCharacterIdiom #ABitTimid
♬ Original Song – 0202civo – az0202za
This is a four-character idiom that expresses the attitude of moving forward without fear.
Even when the path is filled with difficulties and setbacks, by taking steady steps without stopping, you can draw closer to your goals and dreams.
The phrase symbolizes not only action, but also an unwavering will to face challenges and a positive mindset.
No matter the situation, by facing forward and continuing to make an effort, the way will open.
It carries a powerful message that makes it perfect for encouraging yourself in daily life, at work, or in learning.
By engraving this idiom in your heart, you can overcome doubt and anxiety and gain the strength to proactively forge your future.
