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10 famous inspirational quotes

If you're feeling down or struggling with challenges in your life, sometimes all it takes is a few words of inspiration to lift your spirits and keep you moving forward.

In this article, we've gathered 10 famous inspirational quotes from some of the most influential people in history. These quotes will inspire you to believe in yourself, keep pushing through adversity, and never give up on your dreams.

1. "Believe you can and you're halfway there."

   Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919), 26th President of the United States

2. "If you want to fly, give up everything that weighs you down."

   Toni Morrison (1931-2019), American novelist

3. "Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow."

   Helen Keller (1880-1968), American author and activist

4. "We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone."

   Ronald Reagan (1911-2004), 40th President of the United States

5. "Your time is limited, don't waste it living someone else's life."

   Steve Jobs (1955-2011), co-founder of Apple

6. "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."

   Nelson Mandela (1918-2013), anti-apartheid revolutionary and politician

7. "The best way to predict your future is to create it."

   Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), 16th President of the United States

8. "You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it."

   Maya Angelou (1928-2014), American poet and civil rights activist

9. "I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination."

   Jimmy Dean (1928-2010), American country music singer and actor

10. "We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope."

    Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968), American Baptist minister and civil rights activist

Inspirational Quotes meanings

Here, you will find the previous quotes detailed, accompanied by brief explanations.

• What does "Believe you can and you're halfway there" mean? It emphasizes that having belief and confidence in oneself is a significant step towards achieving success or reaching a goal.

  Who said it? It's a quote by Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919), the 26th President of the United States.

• What does "If you want to fly, give up everything that weighs you down" mean? It suggests that in order to achieve personal growth or freedom, one must let go of burdens, attachments, or negative influences that hold them back.

  Who said it? It's a quote by Toni Morrison (1931-2019), an American novelist.

• What does "Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow" mean? It implies that by focusing on positivity, optimism, and the bright side of life, one can avoid dwelling on negativity or challenges.

  Who said it? It's a quote by Helen Keller (1880-1968), an American author and activist.

• What does "We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone" mean? It suggests that while it may not be possible to assist every person in need, everyone has the capacity to make a positive difference in someone else's life.

  Who said it? It's a quote by Ronald Reagan (1911-2004), the 40th President of the United States.

• What does "Your time is limited, don't waste it living someone else's life" mean? It encourages individuals to prioritize their own aspirations, passions, and desires, rather than being consumed by the expectations or judgments of others.

  Who said it? It's a quote by Steve Jobs (1955-2011), the co-founder of Apple.

• What does "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall" mean? It signifies that true success and fulfillment come not from avoiding failure altogether, but from the ability to learn, grow, and persevere in the face of challenges.

  Who said it? It's a quote by Nelson Mandela (1918-2013), an anti-apartheid revolutionary and politician.

• What does "The best way to predict your future is to create it" mean? It suggests that instead of passively waiting for circumstances to determine one's future, actively taking control and making choices is the most effective way to shape one's destiny.

  Who said it? It's a quote by Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), the 16th President of the United States.

• What does "You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it" mean? It conveys that setbacks and failures are an essential part of personal growth and self-discovery, as they reveal one's resilience, inner strength, and ability to overcome adversity.

  Who said it? It's a quote by Maya Angelou (1928-2014), an American poet and civil rights activist

• What does "I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination" mean? It signifies that while we may not have control over external circumstances, we can adapt, make necessary adjustments, and take proactive steps to achieve our goals.

  Who said it? It's a quote by Jimmy Dean (1928-2010), an American country music singer and actor.

• What does "We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope" mean? It emphasizes the importance of acknowledging temporary setbacks and disappointments in life, but maintaining an unwavering belief in the potential for positive outcomes and future possibilities.

  Who said it? It's a quote by Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968), an American Baptist minister and civil rights activist.

Do you want to read more inspirational quotes? If so then don't miss Inspirational quotes by Paulo Coelho