Powerful Inspiring Quotes and Sayings: Fuel to Your Motivation

Inspiring quotes compilation. Photo of colorful autumn leave against blue sky.

Set Yourself Free with Inspiring Quotes

– Are you feeling down? Is life sitting on you like that grade school bully who planted your face in the sandbox and held you down?

– Do you need something to add a bit of vim and vigor into your day?

– What better way is there to give you spirits a little pick-me-up than reading some inspiring words! 

Here you’ll find lots of inspirational quotes and sayings on a variety of topics, including:

• Leadership

• Success

• Imagination

• Character

• People Handling

and more…..

The inspiring words below will infuse a shot of vigor and inspiration into your life, and these inspiration quotes are an excellent way to give you that injection of life that will brighten your day.


Inspiring Quotes on Leadership

Quotes about leadership: hand holding globe.
Leadership is not about controlling people and getting them to do what you want. Leadership is a more mindset about striving and doing better.

Good leadership is both about being able to navigate and succeeding with existing frameworks while at the same time expanding the limits and improving them.

In this way a good leader uses his talents, passions and energy to strive towards optimizing and making things better – not just for himself but for everybody!

Here are some inspiring quotes about leadership:

Leaders are people who leave their footprints in their areas of passion.
~ Inspiring saying ~

When you have the lead, step on the gas. After all, that’s how you got there.
~ Jonathan Byrnes ~

If a person embodies true leadership talents, we feel it instantly. They have powerful charisma, a strong presence and are very convincing when they present their arguments.

If you feel inspired by their ideas, you want to be like them. This is how true leaders get their followers – not via submission but via being an inspiration.

Inspirational quotes on the spirit by Napoleon Bonaparte.

Now, even though Napoleon probably suffered from one the potential unfortunate side effects (megalomania) of being a leader, he did leave us some
inspirational quotes about leadership.

His inspirational philosophy probably helped him transform himself from a shrimp like Monsieur Bonaparte into Emperor Napoleon the Great (1769-1821).

There are only two forces in the world, the sword and the spirit. In the long run the sword will always be conquered by the spirit.
~ Napoleon Bonaparte ~

A leader is a dealer in hope.
~ Napoleon Bonaparte ~

Victory belongs to the most persevering.
~ Napoleon Bonaparte ~

Soldiers generally win battles; generals get credit for them.
~ Napoleon Bonaparte ~

The human race is governed by its imagination.
~ Napoleon Bonaparte ~

True leadership comes natural to some, while others have to struggle to tap into their innate leadership talents. Read on for some inspiring words on leadership from some of the world’s most famous leaders:

Leadership: The art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.
~ U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower ~

A general is just as good or as bad as the troops under his command make him.
~ General Douglas MacArthur ~

Victor Cousin was a French philosopher who is famous for many of his inspiring quotes. One of his famous inspiration quotes touch on the subject of true leadership, the thing that separates a humble carpenter from Nazareth from your average Home Depot executive:

Men are governed only by serving them; the rule is without exception.
~ Victor Cousin ~

Inspiring leadership quote by Henry Miller: The real leader has no need to lead - he is content to simply point the way. Photo of a female hand pointing through a yellow wall.

The real leader has no need to lead – he is content to simply point the way.
~ Henry Miller ~

Go to the people. Learn from them. Live with them. Start with what they know. Build with what they have. The best of leaders know when the job is done, when the task is accomplished, the people will say “We have done it ourselves.”
~ Lao Tzu, Father of Taoism ~

Aristotle (384 BC – 322 BC) is one of the world’s most famous philosophers, and is responsible for the teaching that converted a spoiled prince into Alexander the Great. Not only did he have a huge impact on Greek society of his day, but he also left principles and teachings that have impacted modern life today.

Aristotle’s take on leadership is clearly summed up in this inspiring quote:

He who has never learned to obey can never be a great commander.
~ Aristotle ~

More wise quotes from Aristotle:

A true friend is one soul in two bodies.
~ Aristotle ~

The whole is more than the sum of its parts.
~ Aristotle ~

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.
~ Aristotle ~


Happiness Quotes

Happiness can be very simple: Small purple flower.

Happiness may be fleeting, but true happiness is not what you think it is.

Real happiness is a feeling of contentment with your life.

Real happiness is a feeling deep in the pit of your stomach that tells you “Life is pretty darn great.”

There are many excellent happiness and inspiration quotes that can give you an idea of how to truly be happy.

Inspiration is a key to happiness, and the happiness quotes below can help you understand the key to truly being happy:

Happiness does not consist in pastimes and amusements, but in virtuous activities.
~ Aristotle ~

Famous missionary Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965) has said many inspirational words, and thus today we have a number of inspiration quotes that have helped people to realize that inspiration is the key to true happiness.

Albert Schweitzer’s inspiring quotes came from a heart that was truly blessed. One of his inspiration quotes state:

In hopes of reaching the moon men fail to see the flowers that blossom at their feet.
~ Albert Schweitzer ~

Here are some more inspirational Albert Schweizer quotes:

An optimist is a person who sees a green light everywhere, while a pessimist sees only the red stoplight… the truly wise person is colorblind.
~ Albert Schweitzer ~

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.
~ Albert Schweitzer ~

Great Albert Schweritzer quote: Do something wonderful, people may imitate it. Photo of two index fingers touching, a man's and a child's.

Do something wonderful, people may imitate it.
~ Albert Schweitzer ~

There is only one person would could ever make you happy, and that person is you.
~ David Burns ~

Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of travelling.
~ Margaret Lee Runbeck ~

There are a number of entertaining happiness and inspiration quotes. We hope these entertaining quotes will make you smile and shed some important truth on how you can be – and make others – happy:

Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.
~ Oscar Wilde ~

Money can’t buy happiness; it can, however, rent it.
~ Anonymous ~

Happiness: a good bank account, a good cook, and a good digestion.
~ Jean Jacques Rousseau ~

The happy people are failures because they are on such good terms with themselves they don’t give a damn.
~ Agatha Christie ~


Inspirational Quotes and Sayings on Success

Inspiration quotes about success: Photo of orange tree.

Success is a cruel mistress to those who chase after it without knowing what it really is.

Many people think that success is all about money, but many famous authors, politicians, presidents, and other successful people have stated differently.

The inspirational quotes and sayings below touch on the subject of what true success is, and these inspirational life quotes may help you get your life back on track:

My life has no purpose, no direction, no aim, and no meaning, and yet I’m happy. I can’t figure it out. What am I doing right?
~ Charles Shultz ~ (author of the cartoon Peanuts)

Obviously, Charles Shultz (1922-2000) had the idea of success right. Even without striving for success, he found that happiness was the meaning of true success.

They can because they think they can.
~ Virgil ~

The word impossible is not in my dictionary.
~ Napoleon Bonaparte ~

Inspiring quotes on success by Thomas Jefferson: Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with wrong mental attitude. Photo of a flower through a crack of concrete.

Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with wrong mental attitude.
~ Fourth President of the U.S. Thomas Jefferson ~

The surest way not to fail is to determine to succeed.
~ Richard Brinsley Sheridan ~

There is only one success: to be able to spend your life in your own way.
~ Thomas Morley ~

The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack in knowledge, but rather a lack in will.
~ Vince Lombardi ~


Inspirational Life Quotes on Character

Character is one of the most important things that separate us from, say, reptiles.

We humans still have our reptilian brain as well as a mammal brain on top of the reptile brain. But on top of those two brains we also have a human brain. Reptiles have one nature and are consistent with their nature, whereas humans, having three kinds of brains, can decide what kind of character they want to have.

Having character is not just about personality, but is more the ability to CHOOSE between what is right and what is wrong.

There are hundreds of inspirational life quotes on character, and each of these
inspiring phrases can help you find what makes you a person of character.

You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one.
~ Henry David Thoreau ~

Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us.
~ Thomas Paine ~

The best cure for the body is a quiet mind.
~ Napoleon Bonaparte ~

A good name will shine forever.
~ Unknown Proverb ~

Beauty isn’t worth thinking about; what’s important is your mind. You don’t want a fifty dollar haircut on a fifty cent head.
~ Garrison Keillor ~

Reputation is for time; character is for eternity.
~ J. B. Gough ~

Character is a diamond that scratches every other stone.
~ Cyrus A. Bartol ~

Nature magically suits a man to his fortunes, by making them the fruit of his character.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~

Wise quote on hate and character by Napoleon Bonaparte: A true man hates no one. Photo of a serene lake covered in morning mist.

A true man hates no one.
~ Napoleon Bonaparte ~

Men best show their character in trifles, where they are not on their guard. It is in the simplest habits that we see the boundless egotism which pays no regard to the feelings of others and denies nothing to itself.
~ Arthur Schopenhauer ~


Imagination Quotes

Limits are not real: Apple flying above man's head.

The true limit to man’s happiness is the limit that he places on his imagination.

There are no limits to where the human imagination can take you, as is plainly evidenced by the presence of tie dyed T-shirts, ‘Hello Kitty’, and the entire cast of the hit musical TV show, ‘Glee’.

While imagination may not always take you where you want to go, you will be surprised by how far you can reach when you give your imagination the room to flex and stretch. Remember, your imagination is just like a muscle – it thrives when you use it.

Here are some imagination and inspiration quotes that will remind you of the importance of letting your mind wander through the deserted (or crazily populated) fields of daydreaming,
and the inspirational quotes below can help you revive your imagination if it feels kind of dried up.

Wonderful imagination quote by Francis Bacon: Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not; a sense of humor to console him for what he is. Photo of a mural painting / streetart.

Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not; a sense of humor to console him for what he is.
~ Francis Bacon ~

The basis of action is the lack of imagination. It is the last resource of those who know not how to dream.
~Oscar Wilde ~

Imagination is the one weapon in the war against reality.
~ Jules de Gaultier ~

Mark Twain was a man of great inspiration, and his inspiration quotes were often funny, other inspiring quotes were simply witty, while others of his inspiration quotes were pithy.

You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.
~ Mark Twain ~

Two percent of the people think; three percent of the people think they think, and ninety five percent of the people would rather die than think.
~ George Bernard Shaw ~

While inspiration quotes was not something that author, poet, editor (and more) Edgar Allen Poe (1809-1849) was famous for, a number of his inspiring words actually touched on the importance of true inspiration. One of his inspiration quotes states:

They who dream by day are only cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.
~ Edgar Allen Poe ~


Inspirational Quotes on People Handling

Inspiring quotes on relationships: Happy couple smiling.

Handling people is one of the most difficult things to do in life, which is why man has invented the telephone, instant messaging, and virtual assistants.

Handling people is still one of the most important aspects of life, and everyone around the world has to handle people at some point in their life.

Knowing how to handle people is vital, and many famous people have come up with inspiring
words and sayings on proper people handling. The inspiration quotes below can help you as you handle people around you.

A secret to many a man’s success in the world resides in his insight into the moods of men and his tact in dealing with them.
~ J. G. Holland ~

Kind words are the music of the world.
~ F. W. Faber ~

Humorous Doris M. Smith quote on foolishness: Arguing with a fool proves there are two. Photo of a fool / jester in costume.

Arguing with a fool proves there are two.
~ Doris M. Smith ~

The Bible is full of amazing proverbs, and two quotes from the Book of Proverbs illuminates people handling succinctly:

Proverbs 26:4 – Answer not a fool according to his folly.

This inspiring quote is a declaration made by Solomon to ignore idiots and people who would try to sink you down to their level.

Proverbs 26:5 – Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.

This inspiration quote reminds you that some people just need to be put in their place, and each situation needs to be handled wisely.

The first U.S. President was a man of many inspiring words and inspiration quotes that have taught many though the ages.

One of his inspiring quotes on people handling states:

Be courteous with all but intimate with few; and let those be well tried before you give them your confidence.
~ First U.S. President George Washington ~

The more you say, the less people remember.
~ J. Petit Senn ~

If evil be said of thee, and if it be true, correct thyself; if it is a lie, laugh at it.
~ Epictetus ~

The less people speak of their greatness, the more we think of it.
~ Lord Bacon ~


Quotes on Setting Goals

Setting goals is a vital part of life, and you need to focus on setting the best possible goals.

Setting goals is not:

  • Determining to walk to the fridge to get your beer in order to get more exercise!
  • Deciding that sleeping less is a way to get more done!
  • Insisting that you can eat poor quality food, work like a racehorse, and still live to be 100 years old!

Only the sky is your limit: Photo of colorful hot air balloons.
Setting goals is:

  • Establishing valid goals that turn you on because overall they will help you improve the quality of your life and the quality of other people’s lives by adding love and value to those lives!
  • Determining that you need to make the life changes that will make you into a better person – or at least a more relaxed person who has more fun (which is probably the same thing)!
  • Sitting down and prioritizing the things that are truly important in life, as well as setting behind you and letting go of things that are less than important!

Many inspirational quotes have been produced from the minds of some of the world’s leaders and most famous people. Here are some of the best inspiring quotes to help you as you begin to set goals for your life.

The ability to convert ideas to things is the secret to outwards success.
~ Henry Ward Beecher ~

The ability to concentrate and to use your time well is everything if you want to succeed in business-or almost anywhere else for that matter.
~ Lee Iacocca ~

Vince Lombardi (1913-1970) is one of the world’s most famous sports coaches (American football), and his inspiring quotes are well known. His many inspiring words have helped millions to reach their goals, and one of his greatest inspiring quotes states:

Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is.
~ Vince Lombardi ~

Teamwork is what the Green Bay Packers were all about. They didn’t do it for individual glory. They did it because they loved one another.
~ Vince Lombardi ~

The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.
~ Vince Lombardi ~

Winners never quit and quitters never win.
~ Vince Lombardi ~

Winning is habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.
~ Vince Lombardi ~

The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall.
~ Vince Lombardi ~

A man should have any number of little aims about which he should be conscious and for which he should have names, but he should have neither name for, nor consciousness concerning, the main aim of his life.
~ Samuel Butler ~

Wise quote on purpose by Michael de Montaigne: The great and glorious masterpiece of man is to know how to live to purpose. Photo of ants on a rope carrying leaves.

The great and glorious masterpiece of man is to know how to live to purpose.
~ Michael de Montaigne ~

The significance of a man is not in what he attains, but in what he longs to attain.
~ Kahlil Gibran ~

Some men give up their designs when they have almost reached the goal; while others, on the contrary, obtain a victory by exerting, at the last moment, more vigorous efforts than before.
~ Polybius ~

There is no happiness except in the realization that we have accomplished something.
~ Henry Ford ~


Inspirational Life Quotes on Experiences

Inspirational quotes about experiences: Man climbing steep rock.

Experience is the tool that shapes our lives, and there is nothing that can be substituted for real experience.

While many of the experiences that we go through may be better avoided, it is important to learn from our experiences as well as the experiences of others around us.

There are many wise inspirational life quotes on learning from experience, and many more inspiring quotes on living life to the full. Here are a few of the best inspirational quotes and sayings on the subject of experience.

Experience is a grindstone; and it is lucky for us, if we can get brightened by it, and not ground.
~ Josh Billings ~

Wise quote on experience and time by William Shakespeare: Experience is by industry achieved, and perfected by the swift course of time. Photo of an hourglass on a rock in nature.

Experience is by industry achieved, and perfected by the swift course of time.
~ William Shakespeare ~

Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other, and scarce in that; for it is true we may give advice, but we cannot give conduct.
~ Benjamin Franklin ~

All truly wise thoughts have been thought already, thousands of times; but to make them truly ours we must think them over again honestly until they take firm root in our personal experience.
~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe ~

If you would know the road ahead, ask someone who has traveled it.
~ Chinese Proverb ~

It is good to learn what to avoid by studying the misfortunes of others.
~ Publius Syrius ~

Those who come last enter with advantage. They are born to the wealth of antiquity, the materials for judging are prepared, and the foundations of knowledge are laid to their hands. Besides, if the point was tried by antiquity, antiquity would lose it, for the present age really is the oldest and has the largest experience to plead.
~ Collier ~

Experience is a safe light to walk by, and he is not a rash man who expects to succeed in the future from the same means who have secured it in the past.
~ Wendell Phillips ~


Random Funny Inspiring Quotes

Quotes that makes you smile: Smiling eyes.

Nothing can be quite as inspiring as having a good laugh, and humor is a vital part of life.

A merry heart is better than a good medicine, or so the Bible says. Having a good laugh can be one of the best ways that you can take your frown and turn it upside down. Finding things that make you laugh can be just the thing you need to brighten your day.

There are hundreds of inspiring quotes that are guaranteed to tickle your funny bone, and the inspirational quotes and sayings from famous people throughout history that you will find below can be the best way to start your day with a hearty laugh.

A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend. A successful woman is one who can find such a man.
~ Lana Turner ~

A word to the wise isn’t necessary – it’s the stupid ones that need the advice.
~ Bill Cosby ~

Electricity is really just organized lightning.
~ George Carlin ~

Everybody knows how to raise children except the people who have them.
~ P.J. O’Rourke ~

Funny and clever humorous quote by Mark Twain. Get your facts first, then distort them as you please. Photo of a dog with sunglasses.

Get your facts first, then distort them as you please.
~ Mark Twain ~

Go to Heaven for the climate, go to Hell for the company.
~ Mark Twain ~

I feel sorry for people who don’t drink. When they wake up in the morning, that is as good as they are going to feel all day.
~ Frank Sinatra ~

I have tried to know absolutely nothing about a great many things, and I have succeeded fairly well.
~ Robert Benchley ~

I never drink water because of the disgusting things that fish do in it.
~ W. C. Fields ~

Marriage is the triumph of imagination over intelligence. Second marriage is the triumph of hope over experience.
~ Oscar Wilde ~

We really hope you enjoyed this collection of inspiring words. If you want to see more inspirational quotes, please, feel free to dive into one of inspiration quotes pages below. 

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