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 (1–10) are sure to lift your spirits and help you stay positive!
Achieve great things by accumulating small efforts.Ninomiya Sontoku
This well-known saying—that small efforts each day lead to great results—is a quote by Ninomiya Sontoku.
Statues of Ninomiya Kinjiro, depicting him in his youth, used to be installed at elementary schools across Japan, so many people may feel familiar with him.
Success and results don’t come all at once, and even those considered geniuses are often steadily making tireless efforts behind the scenes.
If you keep these words in mind and move forward step by step, you too may achieve significant growth.
Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground.Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States.
Perhaps because he was also known as a writer, his famous sayings carry real weight.
Among them, this particular quote of his seems to resonate across nations and races.
It can be taken to mean: pursue your ideals, but don’t let your feelings be swept away by them—keep your feet on the ground and move forward step by step.
It’s something to keep in mind no matter what you’re doing, and it might even be worth reminding yourself of this quote several times a day.
As long as you keep striving without ever losing sight of a good purpose, you will surely be saved in the end.Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Goethe—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe—left us forward-looking, future‑oriented sayings.
His words appear at crucial moments, in school textbooks and at life’s turning points, to encourage us.
And these words are no exception.
Whether at school or at work, it’s the same: set a goal, work hard, and keep moving forward.
Surely Goethe, too, had times when things were far from smooth sailing.
Of course, effort is painful; looked at another way, that pain is proof that you’re giving it your all.
I believe Goethe will continue to watch over you with many memorable quotes in the days ahead.
Where there’s a will, there’s a way.Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, is remembered for his efforts to abolish slavery.
The following is a famous quote attributed to this great “Liberator,” one that seems to express his resolve to stand by his own will.
It teaches us that a strong will is necessary to accomplish anything, and that holding on to it without giving up leads to the realization of our goals.
These are words you’ll want to recall especially when you face difficulties and feel like giving up on your dreams or goals.
There’s no need to look back. There are countless paths ahead of you.Lu Xun
It’s a message about not dwelling on the past and looking toward the future.
It means you don’t need to be dragged down by failures or regrets; new chances and possibilities are always opening up before you.
For example, even if you fail a test, don’t think “it’s too late”—turn your focus to studying and the next challenge.
Even if things don’t go well at work, believing there are still many paths ahead allows you to act positively.
These words teach us the courage to stop fretting over the past, hold on to hope, and take a step forward.
In the midst of difficulty lies opportunity.Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein is famously remembered for that cute photo of him sticking out his tongue.
This quote of his seems to showcase his greatness as a scientist.
Ordinary people tend to give up when they encounter difficulties.
He, however, says that within them lies opportunity.
It’s a quote you’ll want to remember when you face challenges and need the courage to take them on.
That said, it’s also important to discern whether a difficulty is truly solvable.
You could say that discernment itself is one kind of opportunity, too.
Write it as failure, read it as growth.Katsuya Nomura
Even when you’re working hard, failure is inevitable.
We all have times when we feel down and reflect on what went wrong.
In moments like that, I want you to remember this quote: “When you write ‘failure,’ read it as ‘growth.’” These are the words of former professional baseball manager Katsuya Nomura.
It’s precisely when we fail that we become aware of where we stand, search for the cause of the failure, and reflect.
From there, by applying those reflections and simply thinking about how to do better next time, we grow.
By thinking through what to do after a single failure, taking action, and making it work, it feels like we’ve climbed one step up.
So failure isn’t necessarily a negative thing.
There are no solutions in life. What exists in life is only a force in motion. We have to create that force. The solutions will follow afterward.Saint-Exupéry
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the novelist who wrote The Little Prince, a work loved around the world.
Here is a passage from one of his masterpieces, Night Flight.
Life never goes backward.
As we keep moving forward, we must overcome many things.
However, moving forward requires effort.
He tells us that as we proceed through life by trial and error, we can find solutions to each of our problems.
If you’re troubled and have come to a standstill, try, above all, to take a step forward.
If you believe in yourself, there are no limits.Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo has set numerous scoring records and won many titles on the world’s biggest stage.
Through strict self-discipline and relentless effort, he has always continued to believe in his own potential.
The moment you decide something is impossible for you, your learning and growth come to a halt.
Limits are not imposed by others; they are born from your own assumptions.
By believing in yourself and continuing to work hard, you can get closer to results beyond what you imagined.
This passionate quote highlights the importance of confidence that springs from within.
Don’t rush. But don’t give up.Shigeta Saitō
Dr.
Shigeo Saito was a Japanese psychiatrist and essayist, and he is also known as the eldest son of Dr.
Mokichi Saito, the poet and psychiatrist.
He published many books that lightened people’s hearts and encouraged them to think positively, so many of you may have read his work.
Among his famous quotes is this saying: Even though we know that if we keep working steadily—without rushing, without giving up, and with a calm mind—our efforts will one day bear fruit, it’s not easy to actually do.
In times like that, try to remember these words.