A bacteriologist known for his portrait on the 1,000-yen bill! Inspiring quotes from Hideyo Noguchi that will save your life

Music writer / guitarist / Certified web writing practitionerHoshino Takashi
Drawing on over 30 years of experience with guitars and bands since my high school days, I specialize in music-related articles and have handled many feature pieces to date. While my tastes lean toward genres like hard rock and heavy metal since I first picked up the guitar, I make a point of listening to a wide range of styles, both Japanese and Western, on a daily basis. I began working as a freelance writer in 2018. I hold a Web Writing Practical Certification, and in addition to writing, I’m also studying video editing. In my private life, I’m raising an elementary school child and stay active while supporting their extracurriculars, such as parkour and dance.

Hideyo Noguchi was a distinguished figure known for publishing numerous papers as a bacteriologist and for being featured on the 1,000-yen banknote since 2004.

He passed away in Accra, Republic of Ghana, due to yellow fever—the very disease he was researching—showing that he was a physician working on the front lines of medicine.

This time, we’ve compiled a list of memorable quotes left by Hideyo Noguchi.

The words of this great person, who achieved worldwide success despite living with a disability, are sure to resonate with anyone who feels they are at rock bottom right now.

A bacteriologist known for his portrait on the 1,000-yen bill! Inspirational quotes from Hideyo Noguchi that will save your life (1–10)

Imagine being in the depths of despair; whining and giving in to hopelessness only hinders your success and, moreover, disturbs your peace of mind.Hideyo Noguchi

These words teach us that it’s precisely in hard times that it’s important to keep looking forward.

When people face painful events, they tend to want to complain or voice their weakness.

But repeating that won’t improve the situation; if anything, it unsettles the mind and makes it even harder to move ahead.

Rather than being trapped by despair, calmly thinking about what you can do now and putting it into action is the first step to opening up the future.

If you turn the time spent grumbling into effort, the situation should gradually change.

It’s a quote that encourages proactive, positive action.

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I’d be happy if I could devote myself to what I want to do and, through that, help others.Hideyo Noguchi

It’s the idea that by pursuing your own dreams and passions, you can also be of service to others.

Not only doing what you want to do, but doing it in a way that helps those around you—that, they say, is true happiness.

Coming from Hideyo Noguchi, who fought diseases as a bacteriologist and devoted his life to research that saved many lives, these words carry real weight.

It conveys that by immersing yourself in what you love, your actions can also become valuable to society.

Perhaps when dreams and contribution overlap, that’s when we gain a true sense of fulfillment and pride.

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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.

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A bacteriologist famed for his portrait on the 1,000-yen note! Life-saving quotes by Hideyo Noguchi (11–20)

There should be as many jobs in this world as there are human heads.Hideyo Noguchi

Words that express the hope that there is always a role somewhere that fits you.

The idea is that there are many kinds of jobs in the world, and for anyone, there is surely a job that suits them.

Just as Hideyo Noguchi forged his path as a physician and bacteriologist, there is certainly a role that only you can fulfill.

There’s no need to rush by comparing yourself to others; the message is to look for a place where you can make the most of your individuality and strengths.

It’s a famous saying that gives courage to those uncertain about their future and helps them feel positive.

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A person must lay their foundation by the time they reach forty.Hideyo Noguchi

These words teach the importance of building the foundation of your life while you are young.

The idea is that by solidifying your area of expertise and your way of thinking by the age of 40, you can walk a more stable path afterward.

Hideyo Noguchi also immersed himself in research from a young age and left a global legacy through sustained effort.

How much you can refine your mind and way of living in your youth greatly influences the rest of your life.

It is a famous quote that teaches us the importance of never rushing, no matter the circumstances, and steadily accumulating effort right before us.

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A person cannot stand in this world on ability alone. It is necessary to possess virtue along with ability.Hideyo Noguchi

It teaches that ability alone does not make someone truly trustworthy.

No matter how exceptional your knowledge or skills may be, without compassion and integrity you cannot gain the trust of those around you.

Hideyo Noguchi was admired by many not only for his passion for research but also for his personal integrity.

It is important to take pride in your talents, but even more important is how you relate to others and the state of your heart.

This is a valuable maxim for cultivating human strength by practicing virtue in daily life.

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If I do not achieve my aspiration, I shall not set foot on this land again.Hideyo Noguchi

Words that express a firm resolve to never return until one’s goal is achieved.

Hideyo Noguchi left these words as proof of his determination not to go back to his hometown until he succeeded.

In the process of striving with dreams and aspirations, there are times when you may feel like giving up, but if you engrave these words in your heart, you should be able to face any hardship without being defeated.

It conveys the importance of always holding high aspirations.

This famous quote teaches that more valuable than easily won success is the attitude of committing yourself and continuing to take on challenges.

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