Short but moving words to remember when your heart is tired

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.

In life, we all face worries—whether it’s the environment at school or work, relationships with friends, or drifting apart from a partner.

It’s nice when problems can be solved quickly, but there are times when nothing seems to work and you just want something to help sort out your thoughts.

So this time, I’ve gathered short yet moving quotes.

Each one offers concise words that can save your heart when you’ve lost your way in life.

I hope you find a quote that resonates with you.

Short but moving words to remember when your heart is tired (21–30)

If you don’t give up on yourself, there is no such thing as losing in life.Shigeta Saitō

Dr.

Shigeta Saito, a psychiatrist who was also active as an essayist, was affectionately known as “Mota-san.” He left behind a powerful quote that teaches the importance of continuing to take on challenges without giving up.

It conveys a strong message: that the decision to give up is yours alone, and as long as you keep challenging yourself without quitting, you can never truly lose.

These words carry a strongly positive tone that inspires the courage of those who might view failure as defeat and consider giving up.

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Those who have never felt lonely cannot love others.Jakuchō Setouchi

Jakucho Setouchi, a Tendai Buddhist nun who was also active as a novelist, is a compelling figure whose many words make us reflect on life.

Here is a famous quote she left about what it means to love someone.

She tells us that only those who have felt loneliness know how to fill it, and that this leads to loving others.

These words may also prompt us to be cautious—encouraging us to discern whether the person before us has experienced loneliness, and whether they are capable of loving someone.

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Your destiny is shaped at the very moment you make a decision.Anthony Robbins

Tony Robbins, who is active as a self-help author, entrepreneur, and speaker, delivers his words through seminars held around the world.

One of his sayings makes us reflect on each person’s destiny.

He tells us that by the time we reach a decision, our resolve is already set—and that very resolve is what leads to results.

It makes us think that having our own will and putting it into action is, in itself, each person’s destiny.

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The human eye only opens after it has failed.Anton Chekhov

These are words of wisdom left by Anton Chekhov, a leading Russian playwright who is also famous for detective and short stories.

He conveys how important failure is—despite its strong negative image—and how it can open the way forward.

It gives the impression of telling us that without experiencing failure, good results will not be born, and that facing failure is essential to move into the future.

It suggests that probing the causes of failure and widening our perspective to see things clearly are the pathways to success.

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God gives us some flaws in order to make us human.William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare, the English playwright who left behind numerous works, is especially famous for his four great tragedies: Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello, and King Lear.

Here is a quote from that great writer that prompts us to reflect on what it means to be human.

It tells us that everyone has some flaw and that no one is perfect—and that it is precisely this imperfection that makes us human.

It’s a message that encourages us to acknowledge our individual shortcomings and face them, suggesting that doing so can become a catalyst for growth.

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It is better to walk with a friend in the dark than to walk alone in the light.Helen Keller

Helen Keller, who was also active as a political activist, lecturer, and writer, is remembered as someone who remained energetically engaged even after losing her sight and hearing.

Here is one of her famous quotes that speaks to how vital human connection is.

By walking together and supporting one another, we can find value even in darkness—an important value that cannot be discovered alone.

Precisely because these words come from someone who lived without sight, who walked through a world without light, they carry a powerful persuasiveness about the importance of mutual support.

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The weaker a person is, the less they can forgive. Forgiveness is a sign of strength.Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi, known as the “Father of Indian Independence,” worked as a lawyer in his youth, during which he personally experienced racial discrimination.

He then deepened his study of religion and philosophy, solidifying his commitment to nonviolence.

In response to Britain’s salt monopoly at the time, he launched a protest known as the Salt March.

This movement helped lead to India’s independence, and his practice of treating everyone equally regardless of social status is among the reasons he continues to be respected long after his death.

The maxim introduced here, I believe, conveys not only kindness but also a firm inner strength that refuses to yield to force.

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Araki Jakkan

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