53 Positive Quotes: Motivational, Inspirational Quotes and Captions

They can sometimes veer into cheesy territory, but most of the time, there’s nothing like a handful of positive quotes to offer motivation and inspiration, especially when you’re trapped at home or feeling isolated or demotivated because of the coronavirus crisis. Whether you share positive quotes 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.

Just like love quotes can put your affections into words better than you may be able to on your own, positive quotes can share the encouragement you’re looking for—whether for yourself or someone else—quickly and cleverly. Like New Year quotes or fitness motivation, they’re all about boosting confidence and increasing good energy. No matter what challenge you or your friend is facing, a few uplifting words can make that trial feel less insurmountable and more accomplishable. The positive quote that speaks to you the most can even become a mantra, something you repeat to yourself day after day to keep your spirits up even when life gets tough. (Depression and anxiety quotes can also help with spirit-lifting when needed.)

Positive quotes can be long or short, depending on your need and platform. (Short letterboard quotes are easier to set up, but long ones can be more satisfying—and there’s no wrong choice.) Send these motivating quotes in a text, use them in an Instagram caption, or simply send your favorite quote to your old office buddy: However you share these positive quotes, they’re sure to do the trick.

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“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”

Yeji Kim

– William James

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“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.”

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– Theodore Roosevelt

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“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”

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– Albert Einstein

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“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”

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– C.S. Lewis

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“It is never too late to be what you might have been.”

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– George Eliot

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“Some people look for a beautiful place. Others make a place beautiful.”

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– 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.”

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– Joseph Campbell

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“Happiness is not by chance, but by choice.”

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– Jim Rohn

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“If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.”

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– Martin Luther King, Jr.

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“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive.”

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– Maya Angelou

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“You are enough just as you are.”

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– Meghan Markle

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“The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.”

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– Michael Altshuler

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“You make a life out of what you have, not what you’re missing.”

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– Kate Morton, The Forgotten Garden

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“There are years that ask questions and years that answer.”

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– 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.”

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– 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.”

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– Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden

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“Each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done.”

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– Bryan Stevenson, Just Mercy

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“That is one good thing about this world ... there are always sure to be more springs.”

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– L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Avonlea

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“These things are good things.”

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– Dr. Seuss, The Cat in the Hat

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“Pay attention to the present, you can improve upon it.”

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– Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

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“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”

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– Oscar Wilde

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“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.”

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– Marilyn Monroe

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“You cannot change what you are, only what you do.”

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– Philip Pullman, The Golden Compass

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“Thou must gather thine own sunshine.”

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– 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.”

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– Rene Descartes

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“People begin to become successful the minute they decide to be.”

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– Harvey Mackay

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“Walk to your goal firmly and with bold steps.”

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– Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet

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“Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.”

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– 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.”

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– Alexander Graham Bell

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“Lay plans for something big by starting with it when small.”

Yeji Kim

– Lao Tzu

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53 Positive Quotes to Inspire and Motivate You

1 of 53

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”

1 of 53

2 of 53

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.”

2 of 53

3 of 53

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”

3 of 53

4 of 53

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”

4 of 53

5 of 53

“It is never too late to be what you might have been.”

5 of 53

6 of 53

“Some people look for a beautiful place. Others make a place beautiful.”

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7 of 53

“We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”

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8 of 53

“Happiness is not by chance, but by choice.”

8 of 53

9 of 53

“If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.”

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10 of 53

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive.”

10 of 53

11 of 53

“You are enough just as you are.”

11 of 53

12 of 53

“The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.”

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“You make a life out of what you have, not what you’re missing.”

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“There are years that ask questions and years that answer.”

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15 of 53

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

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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.”

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“Each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done.”

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“That is one good thing about this world ... there are always sure to be more springs.”

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“These things are good things.”

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“Pay attention to the present, you can improve upon it.”

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“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”

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“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.”

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“You cannot change what you are, only what you do.”

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“Thou must gather thine own sunshine.”

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“It is not enough to have a good mind; the important thing is to use it well.”

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“People begin to become successful the minute they decide to be.”