The turning points in life that everyone experiences.
In such moments, have you ever found that a phrase you happened to hear seeped into your heart and kindled a warm light?
Sometimes it’s words you revisit within yourself, sometimes it’s a few words someone says to you—either can gently embrace our hearts.
In this article, we’ve compiled words from great figures and notable people that can sit with a downcast heart and encourage a step toward tomorrow.
We hope you find words that quietly stay close to your heart.
- Heartwarming words, a single phrase gently lights up your tomorrow.
- When you’re feeling down, remember these words that can save you in tough times.
- A list of comforting words to soothe a tired heart: giving you the strength to face tomorrow
- Ghibli quotes that resonate with the heart! A collection of inspiring lines that give you strength when you’re feeling down
- The magical power of words that make people laugh! A collection of quotes that lighten the heart
- What words make you happy to hear in the morning? Heartwarming phrases that can make you smile every day
- A prescription for a weary heart! What comforting words can support and reassure you?
- It soothes a cornered heart! Words to say to someone who’s mentally exhausted.
- Live life positively! The importance of greetings and inspiring quotes as told by great figures
- [Heart-Touching] Quotes That Keep You Going Anytime! Fiery Words That Push You Forward
- Beautiful words by great and famous people that illuminate life
- Powerful yet gentle, words that save the heart... Encouraging words that lift you up in tough times.
- When you’re feeling unmotivated! Inspiring words from great figures and famous people
Gently illuminating a downcast heart. Words that bring happiness from that very moment (1–10)
You were born into this world with a single precious life—you are someone invaluable.Jakuchō Setouchi
Jakucho Setouchi was a Tendai Buddhist nun who also thrived as a novelist, receiving numerous honors such as Person of Cultural Merit, the Order of Culture, the Women’s Literature Prize, the Tanizaki Jun’ichirō Prize, and the Noma Literary Prize.
Her famous words, “You are a precious being, born into this world with a single, irreplaceable life,” overflow with a kindness that feels accepting.
When failures or troubles continue, many of us may begin to doubt our own worth.
Yet the message to cherish yourself—the only you in the world—can help heal a wounded heart.
It is a quotation to remember in hard times, one that illuminates life.
If you keep looking down, you won’t be able to find a rainbow.NEW!Sir Charles Spencer “Charlie” Chaplin
When we’re feeling down, we tend to look down…
This is a famous quote by Chaplin that I’d like you to remember at such times.
Rainbows are said to be a sign of good luck, and seeing one makes you feel fortunate, doesn’t it? In this quote, he encourages us to keep looking forward while reminding us not to miss the rainbow.
Rather than a blunt “Do your best,” it resonates precisely because it uses a gentle, indirect expression—“missing the rainbow.” It’s a quote that feels like someone quietly sitting beside you in support.
No one anywhere becomes happy through envy.NEW!Baltasar Gracián
Everyone feels envy from time to time.
But when it turns into jealousy and makes you hostile toward others, you may end up pushing your own happiness farther away.
Comparing yourself with others isn’t bad, but harboring ill feelings just because you can’t be like them is misplaced.
Constant jealousy wears down your heart and keeps you from seeing your own strengths.
Keep this quote by the philosopher Baltasar Gracián close to your heart, and keep pursuing challenges that lead to your own happiness, not to defeating someone else.
There are, of course, days when your heart hurts.NEW!Ma Rainey
All kinds of things happen in life.
At times you’ll be struck by misfortune that makes you wonder, “Why is this happening?” You may feel it’s unfair, but that’s life—there’s no use lamenting it.
I feel that this quote by blues singer Ma Rainey teaches us the importance of accepting life’s daily ups and downs just as they are.
Bad times don’t last that long, so there are simply days like that! Remember this quote and try to get through them.
Happiness is always decided by your own heart.NEW!Mitsuo Aida
Everyone wants to meet expectations and be praised, right? But if you focus only on others’ voices, before you know it your heart can become exhausted and you may lose sight of yourself.
This famous quote by Mitsuo Aida reminds you of something simple yet easily forgotten.
What does happiness mean to you? Try thinking about it without the voices around you.
Listening to your heart and following it honestly is nothing anyone should blame you for.
All misfortunes are nothing but stepping stones to the future.NEW!Thoreau
When something unfortunate happens, it can feel like the rest of your life will be nothing but bad.
This quote shines a warm path of light into such a darkened heart.
What counts as misfortune differs from person to person, but in many cases we imagine failure or setback.
Things don’t go smoothly, unforeseen mishaps occur… By seeing them as stepping stones to the future, we can keep facing forward without giving up.
That’s what Thoreau’s words teach us.
If we think of misfortune as a step toward the next stage, we can surely take it in a positive light.
It’s okay, it’s okay—someday the day will come when we’ll get out of here.Banana Yoshimoto
These are words that encourage your heart when you’ve hit rock bottom and can’t see what lies ahead.
Banana Yoshimoto, a novelist known for many works such as “Kitchen” and “Miton to Fubin,” wrote them.
This line is from her novel “Moonlight Shadow.” When you’re in complete darkness, it’s easy to feel despair, as if this situation will go on forever.
In those moments, remember these words.
You may begin to sense that there is an end to your sorrow and suffering that will come someday.
Happiness is always decided by your own heart.Mitsuo Aida
These are the words of Mitsuo Aida, who was active as a poet and calligrapher, that resonate especially when you find yourself wondering whether you are truly happy.
He speaks to us, saying that whether we feel any event as happiness or unhappiness depends on our own hearts, not on someone else’s judgment.
It also feels like a call to see things positively—if we keep thinking on the bright side, even ordinary days can turn into something fulfilling.
It’s a quote we want to remember on anxious days, one that helps turn our feelings forward.
If you keep looking down, you won’t be able to find a rainbow.Charles Chaplin
Charles Chaplin, the British film director who was a leading comedian of the silent film era and hailed as the King of Comedy, once said, “You’ll never find a rainbow if you’re looking down.” It’s a quote that encourages us while giving us a gentle push forward.
By broadening our perspective, we can discover many things.
There are certainly things you can find by looking down, but then you’ll only notice what’s below.
This quote teaches us the importance of lifting our heads and turning our eyes to many things, especially in difficult times.
At the very least, if I don’t praise and acknowledge myself, I won’t be saved.Akihiro Miwa
Akihiro Miwa, a multi-talented celebrity who calls himself Japan’s first singer-songwriter and makes his presence felt beyond music in many fields, once said: “If at least you yourself don’t praise and acknowledge yourself, you won’t be saved,” a quote that continues, “The only person who can be on your side is you.” Even if no one around you recognizes you, the message that you must at least acknowledge yourself or you’ll hit a dead end is likely to bring comfort to many.
It’s a quote that reminds us of the importance of loving ourselves.