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105 Inspirational Quotes for When You Need a Little Motivation

These positive sayings can work wonders.

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Finding motivation and inspiration to power through life's daily obstacles can be tough — let alone if tragedy or conflict is in the way of an optimistic outlook. The stress in your career, amid relationships and in life can take a mental toll before you know it. Taking the time to look to other inspiring leaders, both within your own circle and the world at large, can help keep the flame of positivity burning bright within your life (at any age!).

Our list of the very best inspirational quotes can help; these short, powerful and often funny metaphors, written excerpts and snippets of historical speeches can provide a much-needed spark of motivation. Hearing from these celebrated personalities and notable thought pioneers can get you started on brand-new goals in 2023, get you through recent personal tragedies or empower you to take charge of your relationships.

Below, you'll find our collection of quotes from beloved figures — powerhouse actors, musicians, authors and more — who have experienced a lot of ups and downs, but still managed to derive some insight through it all. From Michelle Obama to Marilyn Monroe, C.S Lewis to Franklin Roosevelt, these positive affirmations will uplift you and prepare you for what lies ahead.

1

Queen Elizabeth II

best inspirational quotes  queen elizabeth ii
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It is often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring about the most lasting change.

2

Nelson Mandela

inspirational quotes  nelson mandela
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Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

3

Amanda Gorman

inspirational quotes

There is always light. If only we're brave enough to see it. If only we're brave enough to be it.

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4

Booker T. Washington

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If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.

5

Cicely Tyson

inspirational quotes

I have learned not to allow rejection to move me.

6

André Leon Talley

inspirational quotes  andre leon talley
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I scorched the earth with my talent and I let my light shine.

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7

A.A. Milne

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You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.

8

Madeleine Albright

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It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent.

9

Winston Churchill

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Attitude is the 'little' thing that makes a big difference.

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10

Rosa Parks

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We will fail when we fail to try.

11

Walt Disney

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All our dreams can come true — if we have the courage to pursue them.

12

Olivia Newton-John

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Once you face your fear, nothing is ever as hard as you think.

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13

Thomas Edison

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Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.

14

Madam C.J Walker

inspirational quotes

Don't sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them.

15

Steve Jobs

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The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.

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16

Billie Jean King

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Champions keep playing until they get it right.

17

Naomi Judd

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A dead end street is a good place to turn around.

18

Albert Einstein

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A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.

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19

Mark Cuban

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If you’re not positive energy, you’re negative energy.

20

Anne Heche

best inspirational quotes anne heche
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We do not fall in love with the package of the person; we fall in love with the inside of a person.

Headshot of Zee Krstic
Zee Krstic
Content Strategy Manager, Hearst Magazines

Zee Krstic is a content strategy manager for Hearst Magazines, focusing on SEO optimization and other editorial strategies for four brands, including Country Living, House Beautiful, ELLE Decor and VERANDA. He previously served as Health Editor for Good Housekeeping between 2019 and 2023, covering health news, diet and fitness trends as well as executing wellness product reviews in conjunction with the Good Housekeeping Institute. Prior to joining Hearst, Zee fostered a strong background in women's lifestyle media with eight plus years of editorial experience, including as a site-wide editor at Martha Stewart Living after developing a nutrition background as an assistant editor at Cooking Light. Zee produces service-based health coverage, as well as design and travel content, for Hearst brands on a contributor basis; he has written about food and dining for Time, among other publications.

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Caroline Picard
Contributing Writer

Caroline is a writer and editor with almost a decade of experience. From 2015 to 2019, she held various editorial positions at Good Housekeeping, including as health editor, covering nutrition, fitness, wellness, and other lifestyle news. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism and dreams of the day Northwestern will go back to the Rose Bowl.  

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