When it comes to living our lives, doesn’t everyone have their own guiding principles?
They can take many forms—relationships, work, romance, and more.
Because the criteria we use to make decisions lead directly to our actions, having a consistent core makes life easier both for yourself and for those around you.
With that in mind, here are some short maxims left to us by great figures of the past.
If you don’t yet have a clear set of guiding principles, I hope you’ll find something in this article.
And of course, even if you already have your own philosophy, I encourage you to take a look!
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Words to carve into your heart! Short maxims by great figures to remember (1–10)
Today is the first day of the rest of your life.Charles Dederich
Here are some words that will make you cherish each day of your life more.
They are by Charles Dederich, the founder of Synanon, an organization in the United States that helped people with drug addiction.
The days we live as if they’re a given are not truly guaranteed.
It may be hard to realize this when living in a world without conflict, but in parts of the world where war never ends, many people live not knowing whether tomorrow will come.
Precisely because our days aren’t guaranteed, let these words be a catalyst to live each day of your life earnestly.
It’s never too late to become the person you wanted to be.George Eliot
When you feel like trying this or learning that, have you ever given up, thinking, “I’m too old”? It’s never too late to start something new or become the person you want to be.
We can keep growing at any age and transform ourselves in many ways.
These uplifting words were left to us by the British writer George Eliot.
In Japan, too, there are people who started programming or even surfing in their eighties.
Let’s keep this message close to our hearts and never give up on challenging ourselves, no matter how old we are.
Achieve great things by accumulating small efforts.Ninomiya Sontoku
The bigger the goal you aim for, the more endless the journey can seem, and you may worry whether small efforts will ever get you there.
These are words left by Ninomiya Sontoku—famously depicted as the statue of Ninomiya Kinjiro—that speak to how important those small efforts are.
To accomplish something great, you shouldn’t try to reach it all at once; the only path is to build up from small things, step by step.
Even if you can’t yet see the results, these words remind us to keep the faith that the efforts before us are leading to success.
Marriage is a long conversation.Friedrich Nietzsche
Communication is essential to keep a marriage healthy, and forgetting that can lead to unnecessary conflict.
These are the words of Friedrich Nietzsche, a German thinker, who straightforwardly conveys the importance of conversation in married life.
He expresses that marriage is something nurtured over a long period in one’s life—a long conversation distinct from those with others.
His words also suggest that rather than forcing the relationship, it should be a relaxed one where conversation naturally continues.
The only meaning of life is to live for others.Leo Tolstoy
Living only for oneself may surprisingly be difficult.
However, many people might find that if it’s for a loved one or for family, they can resolve to keep going.
It was the novelist Leo Tolstoy—author of many works including War and Peace—who said that living for someone else is the sole meaning of life.
There are people who would suffer or be at a loss without you.
For their sake as well, start by staying well yourself.
Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.Thomas Edison
This famous quote about what it means to be a “genius” is by Thomas Edison, who is known as an inventor.
Generally, people may think a genius is someone who is born with talent and can achieve results without doing anything.
However, it is well known that even Edison, who was called a genius, experienced countless failures and put in innumerable hours of effort.
In other words, he says that what makes a genius a genius is not innate talent, but extraordinary effort combined with just a bit of inspiration.
Find a way. If there isn’t one, make one.Hannibal Barca
Hannibal Barca, renowned as Carthage’s great general who defeated the Roman army at the Battle of Cannae.
This famous quote is undeniably the powerful words of a true commander.
In 221 BCE, at the young age of twenty-six, he became the army’s commander and achieved numerous victories.
Perhaps this was because, as the quote suggests, he constantly sought ways to win, and if none could be found, he would create them himself.
His lofty ambition and unwavering resolve elevated him to a great general and made him a figure remembered and spoken of to this day.
People deserve praise or blame solely based on whether they have the perseverance to see things through.Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci, a master artist of the Renaissance known for The Last Supper and the Mona Lisa.
From this quote he left behind, we can sense the importance of perseverance.
The ability to carry through without abandoning what you have decided to do is essential for success.
By continuing to make efforts without giving up until the end, people earn praise and etch their names into history.
Leonardo da Vinci is known as a remarkably versatile figure, even called a “universal genius.” Perhaps it was precisely because he possessed this power of perseverance.
Love the life you live. Live the life you love.Bob Marley
These words give us the chance to cultivate a mindset that loves each part of life.
They are by Bob Marley, known as the “God of Reggae,” who created many timeless songs like “One Love” and “I Shot the Sheriff.” Do you truly love your life? To love your life, it’s important to cherish each day.
When you live with care, love grows, and you can walk a wonderful path.
If you find yourself thinking life isn’t fun, engrave these words in your heart and start by trying to make each day enjoyable.
It is not noble to be superior to others.Ernest Hemingway
These are the words of Ernest Hemingway, a Nobel Prize-winning author who had a profound impact on literary history.
His words show that value lies not in comparing ourselves to others, but in our own growth.
When you keep studying, you may find yourself worrying about others’ grades and progress, and feel anxious.
But what truly matters is whether you’ve taken one step forward from who you were yesterday.
Small, steady efforts build confidence and sustain your attitude toward learning.
It’s a famous quote that quietly teaches the meaning of striving on your own terms.
