There are times when you just can’t stand your job—because you failed at something, don’t get along with coworkers or your boss, don’t feel any sense of fulfillment, or simply for no particular reason.
In this article, we introduce quotes you should read when you feel that way about work.
We’ve gathered quotes that offer hints for escaping those feelings of dislike, ones that encourage you by saying you’ve still got this, and ones that nudge you toward your next challenge—words that can help lighten your heart.
When work becomes unbearable, please give these a read!
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Quotes to read when you’re fed up with work: tough yet warm words (1–10)
If you don’t praise and acknowledge yourself, you won’t be saved.Akihiro Miwa
Akihiro Miwa is active across a wide range of fields, including as a singer, voice actor, and actor.
Miwa’s words encourage us, when work becomes difficult, to first be kind to ourselves.
There are many reasons we can come to dislike our jobs, and at times we wear ourselves down and spiral into thinking everything is our own fault.
But as these words suggest, if you yourself don’t treat yourself with care, you may lose the ability to truly recover.
It’s likely a warm message from Miwa: precisely when things are hard, at the very least, be your own ally.
You can just be yourself.NEW!Mother Teresa
This is a quote that gently embraces and supports people who grow tired from comparing themselves to others in society or feeling rushed to do something.
Mother Teresa, who said this quote, devoted herself to global humanitarian aid—helping those suffering from poverty and illness, building orphanages, and supporting people in need.
When we face moments of struggle at work or in relationships, her words convey a tender yet strong kindness that encourages us not to blame ourselves or think we’re no good, but to believe that it’s okay to be just as we are.
Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.Thomas Edison
Here are some famous quotes by Thomas Edison, known as the “Wizard of Menlo Park” for his inventions such as the phonograph, the light bulb, and the motion picture projector.
It is said that during his lifetime, Edison experienced countless failures.
Even so, by continually taking on challenges without being discouraged by failure, he was able to achieve success.
Many of us have probably thought, “I could have done a little better,” in our daily lives.
If we hadn’t given up, something might have changed, but it’s hard to know for sure.
These words encourage us to accept that things won’t always go as planned and to keep a positive outlook.
If you hate it, quit! But have you really tried it enough to truly hate it?Masao Horiba
Masao Horiba was a Japanese entrepreneur and the founder of HORIBA, Ltd.
Speaking of HORIBA, it’s a unique company known for its corporate motto, “Joy and Fun.” Here is a memorable quote to recall when you feel, “I hate this! I don’t want to do it anymore!” Ask yourself: if you can’t clearly say you’ve given it your all, why not try just a little more? As you keep going, you may start to see a way to tackle it, and what you’re not good at might turn into something you excel at.
Suffering is a byproduct born from growth. It never ends with just that.Iris Murdoch
Let me share a quote by the philosopher Iris Murdoch.
I think many of us have, to a greater or lesser extent, run into a wall at some point.
These are words I hope you’ll remember in times like that.
Try to believe that what feels hard now will one day become your strength.
If you imagine the person you’ll become and trust that what you gain from overcoming hardships will surely help you, you might be able to get through what’s difficult now.
Let’s stay positive, believe that good things follow the bad, and keep doing our best!
To get 4,000 hits, based on my numbers, I’ve had to go through more than 8,000 frustrating at-bats.Ichiro (Suzuki Ichiro)
Have you ever wondered how much effort and hardship lie behind the great achievements of famous figures and stars? Here are the words of Ichiro, who holds the record of 4,000 hits combined in Japan and the U.S., talking about the reality behind that glory.
He said that behind those 4,000 hits, he experienced the frustration of failing more than 8,000 times.
Even Ichiro, who seemed to be performing so brilliantly and steadily, endured more than twice as many struggles as his results suggest.
Hearing this makes you realize that when you face difficulties at work, you can’t let yourself be easily defeated or give up—it’s a reminder to steel yourself and keep going.
The attitude of refusing to listen to any criticism is wrong, but so is getting depressed when you hear it.Tarō Asō
This message clearly conveys the difficult theme of how to face criticism.
If you shut your ears, you lose chances to grow; if you take everything to heart, your spirit will break.
It argues for the importance of avoiding those extremes: maintaining your own center while taking in only the feedback you need.
Especially in today’s world, where we’re easily swayed by ratings and noise, it urges us to be calm and strong.
It teaches the sense of distance needed to protect yourself while moving forward.
A practical quote that teaches mental resilience.
It’s a blessing to be able to work so much that there’s no time to even feel the passage of time.Kimi Onoda
These are the words she offered in response to a kind remark from a reporter, spoken as Kimi Onoda has continued working tirelessly since becoming a minister.
When she said it feels like she’s working longer than the official hours, you can really sense how hard she’s been pushing herself.
Describing such a grueling workload as something she’s grateful for also conveys that she moves through each day feeling a sense of purpose, fulfillment, and responsibility.
It’s a straightforward expression of gratitude for being able to work, and it also carries a determination to keep giving her all.
Do not avoid the difficult path. You must move forward if you want to reach your destination.Katherine Anne Porter
When you take on a challenge, there may be no words more encouraging than these.
The road that leads to your dreams and goals won’t always be smooth.
There may be long hills, muddy paths that trip you up, and at times you might not see what lies ahead.
But if what you want is beyond that path, then you need to go through it.
Don’t be discouraged—move forward with courage and perseverance.
Everyone wants to avoid a hard road, but it’s precisely by walking it that you will grow.
So what if you failed? Learn from the failure and try again.Walt Disney
Walt Disney, who created theme parks like Disneyland and characters such as Mickey Mouse, had a tremendous impact on entertainment for generations to come.
This is a famous quote from that great entertainer, expressing how to face and overcome failure.
It tells us that what matters most about failure is learning from it, and that experience leads to new challenges and the successes that follow.
These are words to remember especially when you’re stopped in your tracks by failure—words that give you the courage to look ahead and keep moving forward.