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
These positive mottos (61–70) are sure to lift your spirits and keep you looking forward!
The only people who never make mistakes are those who do nothing.Theodore Roosevelt
The 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, was renowned not only as a politician but also as a soldier, writer, hunter, explorer, and naturalist.
His famous quote, “The only man who never makes mistakes is the man who never does anything,” teaches us the importance of taking action.
It’s true that if you do nothing, you won’t make mistakes—but you also won’t gain anything.
When you take action, mistakes will happen; that very fact is proof that you tried to do something.
It’s a message that those who hesitate out of fear of failure especially need to hear—an uplifting quote that encourages a forward-looking mindset.
People stumble their way toward success.Mary Kay Ash
Mary Kay Ash, the entrepreneur known as the founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics in the United States, once said, “People stumble toward success.” This quote teaches us that it’s only natural to stumble precisely because the path is difficult.
If we walk an easy, level road, we can move forward without change or hardship, but it’s hard to keep going the same way on a long and rugged journey.
People tend to feel broken or give up when they stumble, but if we can believe it’s because we’re on the right path, we may find the courage to hold our ground and push forward.
No matter how dark it is, the stars are shining.Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American thinker known as a philosopher, writer, poet, and essayist—as well as a leader of Transcendentalism.
His quote, “No matter how dark it is, the stars still shine,” may sound obvious, yet it’s an easily forgotten truth.
When we feel frustrated or despairing, our hearts can shut down so completely that we can’t sense any light.
But if we realize that there is always hope, no matter the circumstances, we find the courage to move forward again.
It’s a quote that helps us remember positivity when we’re feeling down.
Beyond the clouds, the sky is always blue.Louisa May Alcott
Louisa May Alcott, a novelist also known as the author of Little Women, gained popularity as a writer of domestic and girls’ fiction.
Her famous quote, “There is always blue sky beyond the clouds,” reminds us of something obvious yet easily forgotten.
When nothing seems to go right and our spirits sink, it can feel as if clouds have settled over our hearts, making it hard to find the light.
But the message that no matter how thick the clouds are, the sky is clear beyond them may give us the strength to overcome hardship.
The goddess of fate favors those who act boldly.Niccolò Machiavelli
Niccolò Machiavelli, an Italian political thinker known for advocating a realist political theory that politics should be considered separately from religion and morality.
His famous saying, “Fortune favors the bold,” can give us courage to face challenges.
Those who do nothing will never encounter opportunities, but taking action brings change and progress—doesn’t it? It’s a message I hope people who lack confidence in their initiative will adopt as a personal motto.
Even if you’re knocked down 99 times, all you need is to stand up the 100th time.Vincent van Gogh
As a painter representing the Post-Impressionists, the Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh is still beloved around the world for his works today.
The quote, “Even if you’re knocked down 99 times, it’s enough to stand up the 100th,” evokes the dramatic life he led.
The message—that you haven’t lost unless you think you have, and that if you can smile in the end, you’ve won—can be a salvation for those on the verge of breaking.
It’s a maxim that, if adopted as a personal motto, will surely strengthen the heart.
If you want to see a rainbow, you have to put up with a little rain.Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton, a singer-songwriter known as a leading figure in country music and active across many fields as an actor, writer, entrepreneur, and humanitarian, once said, “If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.” From these words, we can learn the mindset needed to pursue our goals.
Dreams are dreams precisely because they’re difficult enough that we’re not sure we can achieve them, and we can’t obtain them without effort or hardship.
It’s a memorable quote that reminds us everyone is working toward their own dreams.
I don’t dislike headwinds—in fact, I’m grateful for them. Without headwinds, you can’t move on to the next step in anything.Ichiro
An athlete who has excelled in professional baseball both in Japan and abroad, Ichiro has served since 2018 as a special assistant to the chairman and an instructor for the Seattle Mariners.
His famous quote, “I don’t dislike headwinds; I’m grateful for them.
Without headwinds, you can’t move on to the next step,” perfectly embodies the presence of someone who has achieved so many great feats.
The message that headwinds are the very key to growth encourages us to view difficulties in a positive light.
It’s a quote to remember when your spirit is about to break—one that gives you the courage to stand up again.
If you ever hear a voice within you say, ‘You can’t paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.Vincent van Gogh
This is a quote that gives us courage when starting something new.
Everyone begins from a place of not being able to do it.
But if you avoid doing it just because you can’t, you’ll never be able to do it for the rest of your life.
If you want to take that path and master it, you have to start by trying.
By continuing, you’ll build confidence, and before you know it, that voice saying “I can’t” will fall silent.
Don’t lose to your own weakness—go challenge your dreams and goals.
Birds fly because they believe they can.Vergilius
This is a famous quote by the ancient Roman poet Virgil.
In Dante’s Divine Comedy, he supposedly served as a mentor and guide during the journey through Hell.
Haven’t you ever thought, in the course of daily life, “It’s obviously impossible” before even trying? If a bird doubted itself—“Can I really fly?”—a chick would never be able to leave the nest from a great height.
Birds take wing not only through the strength of their feathers, but because they believe they can fly.
Perhaps for people, too, it’s important to move forward with a mindset like, “It’ll work out somehow!” What we can learn from words spoken 2,000 years ago is that people in the past struggled with the same things.
Thinking of it that way, this quote reminds us that we’re not uniquely burdened; we’re not alone.
