Mottos that are sure to lift your spirits and keep you positive!
When you’re feeling down or things aren’t going well, sometimes the motto you’ve written in your personal journal can save you.
What kind of motto do you live by?
In this article, we’ll introduce positive mottos that will shine a bright light on you.
We’ve picked quotes from great figures and celebrities, as well as lines from manga, taken from a variety of contexts.
When you need just a little more strength to keep going, or when you’ve hit rock bottom and can’t pull yourself up, please remember the words we share here.
- Words I want to make my motto that always inspire me
- Words that strongly push you forward and give you energy
- Quotes that save your heart in times of pain or hardship
- Encouraging words that give you strength. Words you’ll want to share with those around you.
- Short quotes that reach your heart in an instant. Words to encourage you right now.
- Even a single word can save your heart! Uplifting, happy words that make you feel positive
- Blow away your anxiety and doubts! Short phrases that lift your spirits and set you on a positive path.
- Gives you a nudge and stays by your side... Uplifting words you’ll want to know
- Quotes from great figures that give us the power to live
- Powerful words give you a push! Words that help you try even harder than before.
- You might even find your motto—short phrases that leave a lasting impression.
- If you know them, they might become beacons that light your life’s path: a collection of memorable quotes.
- Maybe powerful words can give you strength? A collection of uplifting short quotes
Sure to lift your spirits! Positive mottos (11–20)
To conquer oneself is the greatest victory.Plato
People have long said, “The easiest person to fool is your own heart.” We all have times when we tack on excuses like “I’m tired today” or “I have an early morning tomorrow” and put off something important.
Reading these words made me quietly realize that you can’t grow that way.
Plato was a great Greek philosopher, a student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle.
Perhaps that slightly provocative way of speaking is a philosopher’s trademark.
It’s a refreshing message that can help even someone who’s feeling down find the strength to try again tomorrow.
Today is the first day of the rest of your life.Charles Dederich
Charles Dederich, the founder of Synanon, an American organization for helping people with drug addiction.
His words become even more convincing when you take his background into account.
And they are sure to resonate deeply with those struggling with addiction.
The ability to reflect on the past is uniquely human, but being bound to it—dragged down or trapped by it—can sometimes hinder our growth.
If we begin today with a clean slate, we may discover a new version of ourselves.
Other people’s rulers and your own ruler each have different measurements, don’t they?Mitsuo Aida
This is a famous quote about values by Mitsuo Aida, a poet born in the Taisho era.
We want to avoid worrying about others’ opinions so much that we can’t be ourselves, or feeling angry and thinking, “Why won’t they even do this for me?” When you recall these words at such times, you realize that each person’s values are different, and that you shouldn’t be overly discouraged by others’ evaluations, nor should you judge others solely by your own values.
Impossible is not a fact, but an opinion.Muhammad Ali
These are words that seem to embody the relentless drive toward results, spoken by the champion Muhammad Ali, a legend in the world of boxing.
They convey the idea that “impossible” stems from preconceptions and weakness of will, and that if we keep a spirit of challenge, anything can be transformed into the possible.
By refusing to set limits and continuing to face challenges, anything becomes achievable, leading to great outcomes.
They are powerful words that evoke an attitude of fighting on without excuses and the strength of will to keep doing so.
Honesty is always the best policy.George Washington
George Washington, the first president of the United States.
His famous sayings are imbued with truth.
Being honest may sometimes seem disadvantageous or feel like taking a detour, but when Washington tells us that honesty ultimately leads to good outcomes—not only for moral reasons, but for many reasons—it carries real weight, doesn’t it? People say the world is built on lies, but Washington’s words may refresh our spirits.
No success for those without dreams.Yoshida Shōin
This saying is by Yoshida Shoin, a thinker who was active at the end of the Edo period and founded the Shoka Sonjuku.
It forms the concluding part of a long aphorism that conveys the idea that those without dreams make no plans, without plans they cannot act, and without action they cannot succeed.
Indeed, to carry out something as seemingly fanciful as a dream, various processes are required, along with the focus and effort to methodically see them through.
The students educated in these ideas went on to support the Meiji Restoration.
There is no such word as ‘limit’ in my dictionary.LeBron James
These words express the mindset of pushing beyond limits that many athletes hold in their hearts, including basketball player LeBron James.
Drawing on Napoleon Bonaparte’s famous quote, “The word impossible is not in my dictionary,” known from the French hero, it conveys a combative spirit.
It communicates the idea that limits are determined by one’s own mind, and that by continuing to believe you can keep going, you can achieve even greater results.
It’s a phrase that strongly conveys the courage to charge ahead without fearing limits and the determination to keep fighting.
Children are beings of possibility. They have many choices every day. Actually, the same is true for adults.Hayao Miyazaki
It conveys a gentle message that everyone has many possible paths into the future.
We often say that children can “become anything” when they grow up.
But in truth, even as adults we can try new things and start over.
Regardless of age, every day is a series of choices, and the future changes depending on how we choose.
For example, starting a new hobby or beginning to study toward a dream are steps you can take today.
These words softly encourage us not to give up on our own potential.
We read “failure” as “success.”Katsuya Nomura
These are words by Katsuya Nomura—renowned in professional baseball as a player, manager, and strategist—expressing his view on failure.
He tells us that continual growth is vital to achieving success, and that failure can be a powerful catalyst for that growth.
Rather than giving up by focusing only on the outcome, it’s important to analyze the causes of failure and apply what you learn next time.
It’s a famous quote that conveys a positive mindset: don’t lament failure—keep moving forward without giving up.
To challenge yourself is to grow.LeBron James
These are the words of LeBron James, one of the greatest all-around players in NBA history who has won multiple championships and MVP awards.
Having competed at the highest level for many years, he has continually set new challenges for himself.
In studying as well, facing unknown fields or difficult tasks can be unsettling, but that first step is the beginning of growth.
If you avoid challenges, nothing will change.
An attitude of tackling things without fear of failure greatly expands your knowledge and thinking skills.
It’s a quote that encourages growth, teaching us that by taking action, we can surely move forward.
