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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- 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 that always spur me on (1–10)
The true value lies in the journey itself.Steve Jobs
If you use Apple products like the iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you’ve probably heard the name Steve Jobs.
It’s no exaggeration to say he was a co-founder of Apple and one of the key figures who shaped today’s digital society.
His words were born from the experience of being removed from the position he held at the very company he started, Apple.
After leaving Apple, Steve Jobs founded another company and found success, eventually returning to Apple.
He ultimately rose to the position of CEO—precisely why his words carry such weight.
Where there’s a will, there’s a way.Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln, known as a leader of the abolition of slavery and the Civil War, is a president who left a profound mark on American history.
He left words that express the belief that a strong will can make the impossible possible and open new paths.
Born into poverty yet continuing to learn and overcoming many hardships throughout his life, he embodied how a strong will can be the driving force that changes the future.
It is a message that teaches the importance of maintaining hope and effort, no matter how difficult a situation may seem.
To succeed, always try as if it were your last chance.Phil Knight
NIKE is a sports brand known worldwide—almost everyone has heard of it.
Here is a quote from one of its founders, Phil Hampson Knight.
Before launching NIKE, Knight was already active as an entrepreneur.
However, he was far from successful and went through some tough times.
Perhaps because of that, he cultivated a stance of pouring everything into a single challenge.
Instead of hedging for the future, he throws 100% of himself into the present—and that attitude is truly inspiring.
No success for those without dreams.Yoshida Shōin
These are the words of Yoshida Shōin, known as the leader of the private school Shōka Sonjuku, which produced many patriots who were active at the end of the Edo period.
He can be called the teacher of figures who later shaped Japan, such as Itō Hirobumi, Yamagata Aritomo, Takasugi Shinsaku, and Kusaka Genzui.
Yoshida Shōin himself acted with tremendous fervor to change Japan, attempting, for example, to board the Black Ships without the shogunate’s permission in order to travel abroad.
“Those without dreams will not succeed.” In his unequivocal declaration, one can feel an extraordinary energy.
Life is about just this one day—today.Dale Carnegie
These words teach us the importance of honoring the “now,” rather than the past or the future.
They are a quote by Dale Carnegie, one of the first people in the world to advocate the importance of communication skills—such as speech, presentations, and management—showing that when conversations between people go well, things proceed smoothly.
He is the author of How to Win Friends and Influence People and How to Stop Worrying and Start Living, both known as essential primers in the business world, and his presence is significant for anyone learning interpersonal skills.
If you often work closely with others, keep this in mind.
You can just be yourself.Mother Teresa
As we go about our days, we sometimes worry, wondering, “Is this really okay?” or “What should I do from here?” The future isn’t something we can see, so it’s only natural to feel uncertain.
But once we start worrying, we can get stuck in a negative loop that’s hard to escape.
In those moments, remember Mother Teresa’s words: “You just need to be yourself.” Your strengths and your flaws are all part of your uniqueness.
You don’t have to become someone else—living true to yourself is what matters most.
It’s a famous quote filled with a warm and encouraging message.
The attitude of striving not to betray yourself will manifest as results in the future.Yoshiharu Habu
Yoshiharu Habu, a legendary shogi player who turned professional in junior high school and later monopolized all seven titles that existed at the time, is a true superstar of the shogi world in both name and reality.
He led the shogi boom from the Heisei era into Reiwa and also serves as president of the Japan Shogi Association.
Professional players devote themselves to research, sacrificing even sleep.
Habu’s words seem to exude the very essence of steady, painstaking effort.
It’s a quote I hope junior high and high school students—especially those preparing for entrance exams—will keep in mind.
Smile the most when times are tough.Shinnosuke Abe
Shinnosuke Abe, who played for the Yomiuri Giants in professional baseball, was a catcher during his playing days and has been active as a manager after retirement.
He became the first-team catcher upon turning pro in 2001.
He later rose to bat cleanup and serve as captain, truly becoming the indispensable linchpin of the team.
The words in the title are from his comments when he was appointed captain for the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
You can feel his determination to keep moving forward no matter how hard things get.
As a leader who pulled the team along, he must have been as reliable as they come.
Expectations aren’t something to meet, but to exceed.Shohei Ohtani
It teaches a positive mindset that aims not just to meet what others ask of you, but to go beyond.
Instead of stopping at “this is good enough,” it emphasizes the importance of continually pushing yourself with the belief that “I can do more.” For example, when people expect you to “get a hit,” you don’t settle for a hit—you work with the determination to go for a home run.
In studying, too, rather than thinking “as long as I pass,” you challenge yourself to “do my very best,” which leads to growth.
These words gently show a way of thinking that turns expectations not into pressure, but into an opportunity to develop yourself.
The distance you’ve run won’t betray you.Mizuki Noguchi
This is the motto of Mizuki Noguchi, the athlete who won the gold medal in the women’s marathon at the Athens Olympics, during her competitive years.
Noguchi boasts a brilliant record, including victories in international marathons and setting the Japanese national record at the time, but behind those achievements were battles with injuries.
Still, her unbreakable determination to keep striving no matter what is reflected in her words.
This doesn’t refer only to marathon training; it also encompasses the relationships of trust fostered with others through sustained effort.
Perhaps if you look back, you’ll also see the faces of those who have supported you along the way.