Positive quotes are just one tool we can use to improve our mood and mental health. These succinct sayings might increase your productivity at work, help you feel more optimistic about your life, or make a seemingly dark day a little brighter. However, it's true that some quotes resonate more than others.
We chose the following positive quotes because they represent the most inspirational and uplifting quotes we could find. Sometimes all we need to feel better is a little perspective from another person who has been there and thrived. Nevertheless, if you find these quotes don't motivate you, don't fret. Sometimes it's better to lean into your negative moods, instead of trying to force toxic positivity.
Whether you share them in a text, as a social media post caption, or as a spoken mantra, these uplifting, motivating words and sayings are sure to bring good vibes to any situation.
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"Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does."
– William James
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"Believe you can and you're halfway there."
– Theodore Roosevelt
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"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving."
– Albert Einstein
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"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."
– C.S. Lewis
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"It is never too late to be what you might have been."
– George Eliot
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"Some people look for a beautiful place. Others make a place beautiful."
– Hazrat Inayat Khan
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"We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us."
– Joseph Campbell
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"Happiness is not by chance, but by choice."
– Jim Rohn
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"If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way."
– Martin Luther King, Jr.
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"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive."
– Maya Angelou
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"You are enough just as you are."
– Meghan Markle
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"The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot."
– Michael Altshuler
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"You make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing."
– Kate Morton, The Forgotten Garden
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"There are years that ask questions and years that answer."
– Zora Neale Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God
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"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."
– J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
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"At first people refuse to believe that a strange new thing can be done, then they begin to hope it can be done, then they see it can be done—then it is done and all the world wonders why it was not done centuries ago."
– Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden
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"Each of us is more than the worst thing we've ever done."
– Bryan Stevenson, Just Mercy
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"That is one good thing about this world ... there are always sure to be more springs."
– L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Avonlea
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"These things are good things."
– Dr. Seuss, The Cat in the Hat
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"Pay attention to the present, you can improve upon it."
– Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
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"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken."
– Oscar Wilde
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"Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring."
– Marilyn Monroe
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"You cannot change what you are, only what you do."
– Philip Pullman, The Golden Compass
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"Thou must gather thine own sunshine."
– Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter
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"It is not enough to have a good mind; the important thing is to use it well."
– Rene Descartes
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"People begin to become successful the minute they decide to be."
– Harvey Mackay
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"Walk to your goal firmly and with bold steps."
– Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet
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"Every strike brings me closer to the next home run."
– Babe Ruth
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"Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work in hand. The Sun's rays do not burn until brought to a focus."
– Alexander Graham Bell
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"Lay plans for something big by starting with it when small."
– Lao Tzu
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"No exact recipe for today. Gather all available ingredients and whip yourself up something delicious."
– Lin-Manuel Miranda, Gmorning/Gnight
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"One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things."
– Henry Miller
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"It's how you deal with failure that determines how you achieve success."
– David Feherty
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"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."
– Thomas A. Edison
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"It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan."
– Eleanor Roosevelt
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"Do anything, but let it produce joy."
– Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass
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"Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world."
– Desmond Tutu
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"No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another."
– Charles Dickens
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"As we work to create light for others, we naturally light our own way."
– Mary Anne Radmacher
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"Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them."
– Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
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"That's what I consider true generosity: You give your all, and yet you always feel as if it costs you nothing."
– Simone de Beauvoir
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"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose."
– Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go!
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"You rarely win, but sometimes you do."
– Harper Lee, To Kill A Mockingbird
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"I've got nothing to do today but smile."
– Simon and Garfunkel
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"I believe great people do things before they are ready."
– Amy Poehler, Yes Please
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"I have discovered in life that there are ways of getting almost anywhere you want to go, if you really want to go."
– Langston Hughes
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"If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you'll never get it done."
– Bruce Lee
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"For me, becoming isn't about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn't end."
– Michelle Obama, Becoming
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"Anything is possible with sunshine and a little pink."
– Lilly Pulitzer
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"Imagine this: What would happen if we were all brave enough to believe in our own ability, to be a little more ambitious? I think the world would change."
– Reese Witherspoon
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"You are the one that possesses the keys to your being. You carry the passport to your own happiness."
– Diane von Furstenberg
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"We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: We have the power to imagine better."
– J.K. Rowling
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"Take your victories, whatever they may be, cherish them, use them, but don't settle for them."
– Mia Hamm
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“You are imperfect, you are wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging.”
– Brené Brown
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“If you see someone without a smile, give 'em yours!”
– Dolly Parton
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“For there is always light. If only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.”
– Amanda Gorman, The Hill We Climb
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“Just believe in yourself. Even if you don’t, pretend that you do and, at some point, you will.”
– Venus Williams
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“You get in life what you have the courage to ask for.”
– Oprah Winfrey
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“There is no greater thing you can do with your life and your work than follow your passions–in a way that serves the world and you.”
– Sir Richard Branson
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“You are your best thing.”
– Toni Morrison, Beloved
As an expert in the field of positive quotes and their impact on mood and mental health, I can confidently say that these succinct sayings have the power to improve our well-being. Positive quotes can boost productivity, instill optimism, and brighten even the darkest of days. The effectiveness of these quotes, however, can vary from person to person.
In curating the following list of positive quotes, we have carefully selected the most inspirational and uplifting ones available. Sometimes, all it takes to feel better is gaining a fresh perspective from someone who has been through similar experiences and thrived. However, it's important to note that if these quotes don't resonate with you or motivate you, it's perfectly alright. It's better to acknowledge and embrace negative moods rather than forcing oneself into toxic positivity.
Whether you choose to share these quotes through text messages, social media posts, or as personal mantras, they are guaranteed to bring good vibes to any situation. Now, let's delve into the concepts used in the quotes:
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"Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does." – William James: This quote emphasizes the idea that our actions have significance and can create a positive impact.
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"Believe you can and you're halfway there." – Theodore Roosevelt: This quote highlights the importance of self-belief and its role in achieving success.
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"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving." – Albert Einstein: Here, Einstein draws a parallel between life and riding a bicycle, emphasizing the need for continuous progress to maintain balance.
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"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." – C.S. Lewis: Lewis encourages us to embrace our dreams and aspirations, regardless of age or circ*mstances.
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"It is never too late to be what you might have been." – George Eliot: Eliot reminds us that it's never too late to pursue our true passions and become the person we've always wanted to be.
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"Some people look for a beautiful place. Others make a place beautiful." – Hazrat Inayat Khan: This quote reflects the power we have to create beauty and positivity in our surroundings.
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"We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us." – Joseph Campbell: Campbell reminds us of the importance of embracing change and being open to new experiences.
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"Happiness is not by chance, but by choice." – Jim Rohn: Rohn emphasizes that happiness is a conscious decision we make, rather than a random occurrence.
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"If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way." – Martin Luther King, Jr.: This quote highlights the value of making a positive impact through even the smallest acts of kindness and excellence.
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"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive." – Maya Angelou: Angelou encourages us to go beyond mere survival and actively seek personal growth and fulfillment.
These are just a few examples from the extensive list of uplifting and motivating quotes. Each quote carries its own unique message and can resonate with individuals in different ways. Remember, positive quotes are just one tool among many that can contribute to our well-being. It's important to find what works best for you and embrace the strategies that help you navigate life's challenges with optimism and resilience.