Here’s a list of 30 Short and Powerful Quotes to Motivate You, sorted by categories, with additional details including the year, profession, and lifespan of the person:
From Entertainment and Actors:
- “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” – Milton Berle, Actor and Comedian (July 12, 1908 – March 27, 2002)
- “Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.” Maya Angelou, Poet and Singer (April 4, 1928 – May 28, 2014)
- “Life is short, and it is here to be lived.” – Kate Winslet, Singer and Actress (October 5, 1975 – Present)
- “If you risk nothing, then you risk everything.” – Geena Davis, Film Producer and Activist (January 21, 1956 – present)
- “Self-esteem means knowing you are the dream.” – Oprah Winfrey, Author and TV Host (January 29, 1954 – Present)
- “If you set your goals ridiculously high and it’s a failure, you will fail above everyone else’s success.” – James Cameron, Actor and Director (August 16, 1954 – Present)
- “Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” – Joshua J. Marine, Magician and Author (January 11, 1970 – Present)
From Poets and Philosophers:
- “You are your best thing.” – Toni Morrison, Novelist and Poet (February 18, 1931 – August 5, 2019)
- “The only way out is through.” – Robert Frost, Poet and Playwright (March 26, 1874 – January 29, 1963)
- “Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.” – Dalai Lama, Monk and Philosopher (September 15, 1954 – December 17, 1964)
- “Do something wonderful, people may imitate it.” – Albert Schweitzer, Physician and Philosopher (January 14, 1875 – September 4, 1965)
- “It is better to travel well than to arrive.” – Buddha, Teacher and Philosopher (563 B.C. – 483 B.C.)
From Literature and Authors:
- “Fall seven times, stand up eight.” – Japanese Proverb
- “Keep your face to the sunshine, and you cannot see a shadow.” – Helen Keller, Teacher and Author (June 27, 1880 – June 1, 1968)
- “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” – Theodore Roosevelt, Historian and Author (October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919)
- “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt, Historian and Author (October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919)
- “You do not find the happy life. You make it.” Camilla Eyring Kimball, Writer (December 7, 1894 – September 20, 1987)
- “Aim for the moon. If you miss, you may hit a star.” – W. Clement Stone, Author and Philanthropist (May 4, 1902 – September 3, 2002)
- “The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it.” – J.M. Barrie, Author and Novelist (May 9, 1860 – June 19, 1937)
- “Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.” – Christian D. Larson, Author and Teacher (January 01, 1874 – January 01, 1962)
- “The sky isn’t the limit, the sky has no limit.” – Sarah Barker, Author and Astrophysicist (N/A)
- “If you prioritize yourself, you are going to save yourself.” – Gabrielle Union, Model and Author (October 29, 1972 – Present)
- “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” – Peter Drucker, Author and Economist (November 19, 1909 – November 11, 2005)
- “Impossible is just an opinion.” – Paulo Coelho, Author and Novelist (August 24, 1947 – Present)
- “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” – Mark Twain, Teacher and Writer (November 30, 1835 – April 12, 1910)
From Spiritual Leaders and Activists:
- “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt, Activist and Politician (October 11, 1884 – November 7. 1962)
- “Motivation is crap. Motivation is easy and it’s fleeting. Motivation is a short-term fix.” – Jocko Willink, Writer and Military Officer (September 8, 1971 – Present)
- “Give light, and people will find the way.” – Ella Baker, Civil Rights Activist and Human Rights Activist (December 13, 1903 – Dec 13, 1986)
- “A person without regrets is a nincompoop.” – Mia Farrow, Singer and Human Rights Activist (February 9, 1945 – Present)
- “Speak your mind, even if your voice shakes.” – Maggie Kuhn, Activist (August 3, 1905 – April 22, 1995)