Engrave positive words in your heart! Short quotes recommended as mottos
When someone asks you in a conversation or an interview, “What is your motto?” how would you answer? A motto is a phrase you keep in mind as a guide for your actions and your life, so your answer can reveal how you think.
This time, we’ve compiled a list of short yet positive quotes that are great as personal mottos.
Simply having a motto can encourage you and keep you in check, so try finding a favorite phrase of your own.
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Engrave positive words in your heart! Short quotes recommended as mottos (11–20)
Because we dream, life shines.Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a composer who left behind countless masterpieces that even those unfamiliar with classical music have likely heard at least once.
His famous quote, “Dreams make life shine,” carries a special persuasiveness precisely because he continued to create music throughout his life that remains beloved around the world to this day.
Having dreams is synonymous with the need to keep making an effort, so it doesn’t make for an easy life—but perhaps that is exactly why we can truly feel alive.
It’s a quote I want to etch into my heart, one that I hope inspires people to set goals—even small ones, not necessarily grand dreams.
There is no piece that cannot move forward.Makoto Nakahara
Makoto Nakahara, a shogi professional who won five lifetime titles and defined an era in the shogi world.
His famous words, “There is no piece that cannot advance,” are a perspective unique to a shogi player.
No matter what kind of personality a piece has, it still moves forward; this reminds us that whether our pace is fast or slow, it’s fine to proceed in our own way.
It’s a quote that gives you a gentle push—one to recall when you find yourself comparing with others or when things aren’t going as you hoped and your spirit is about to break.
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.
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.
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.
Beyond the clouds, the sky is always blue.Louisa May Alcott
These are the words of Louisa May Alcott, an American novelist, speaking to the idea that if we endure even in painful times, brighter days are sure to come.
Even when the sky is covered with clouds, there is blue sky beyond them—this conveys the fact that with time, hardship will pass.
If we think of the bright essence as merely hidden by clouds, it may help us remember that brightness.
The message is hopeful: suffering doesn’t last, and there is surely something bright ahead.
From the present, the future is born.Voltaire
Mr.
Voltaire, a French historian who is also known as a leading figure of the Enlightenment and wore the hats of philosopher and man of letters.
His famous saying, “The future is born out of the present,” is a message that prompts us to reexamine reality before chasing ideals.
Many people imagine dreams and hopes for the future, but only a few actually take action to achieve them.
This message, which tells us that the future is the result of what we have built up in each and every moment, can inspire us to start doing our best today.
It is a quote worth engraving in our hearts as a guide for life.
Whether you are happy or not depends on yourself.Aristotle
Aristotle, the ancient Greek philosopher known as the father of all learning and counted among the greatest thinkers of the West, once said, “Whether you are happy or not depends on yourself.” This quote makes us feel that the root of human worries has not changed from long ago to the present day.
When you see people who are more fortunate or successful than you, don’t you sometimes feel anxious or start questioning your own life? However, happiness is not about comparing yourself to others; it’s about how your own heart feels.
As a personal motto, this quote can help you accept yourself as you are, no matter the circumstances.
Humans possess all possibilities within themselves.Leo Tolstoy
Count Lev Tolstoy, a towering figure of 19th-century Russian literature and also known as a proponent of nonviolence.
His famous saying, “Human beings carry every possibility within themselves,” may give courage to many.
When we meet someone who seems more capable than we are, it’s common to lose confidence or feel like giving up.
But if we can believe that everyone possesses limitless potential, doesn’t that give us the courage to move forward? This is a message I hope you’ll engrave in your heart as a personal motto, so your spirit won’t break no matter the circumstances.
To solve a problem, don’t run away from it.Jack Dorsey
These are the words of Jack Dorsey, who launched payment services and social networks and has driven innovation in the technology field.
Drawing on his experience confronting complex challenges, he speaks to the essence of problem-solving.
In studying, too, we sometimes want to look away from areas we’re weak in or topics we don’t understand.
But problems you avoid won’t be solved; only the ones you face become your strength.
By looking directly at the cause and continuing to think, you deepen your understanding.
It’s a practical quotation that quietly underscores the importance of the resolve not to run from difficulty.
