Famous Quotes: 120 Most Famous Quotes of All Time
Last Updated on March 5, 2023
As humans, we often find ourselves seeking inspiration and guidance from the wise words of great leaders, thinkers, and philosophers.
This is the reason why, quotes are a powerful tool that can convey a powerful message in just a few words. They can motivate us, uplift our spirits, and help us navigate through the ups and downs of life.
From ancient philosophers to modern-day leaders, the world has seen some truly remarkable individuals who have left a lasting impact on humanity.
In this article, we have compiled 120 of the most famous quotes that have stood the test of time. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the world of the most famous quotes of all time.
Best Famous Quotes Of All Time
We have compiled a list of some of the most famous and thought-provoking quotations ever spoken by some of the most brilliant minds in the history of the world.
People from all walks of life continue to draw strength and encouragement from these timeless sayings.
- “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi
- “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs
- “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
- “In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.” – Robert Frost
- “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'” – Martin Luther King Jr.
- “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
- “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill
- “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” – John F. Kennedy
- “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” – African proverb
- “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt
- “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” – William Ernest Henley
- “We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.” – Plato
- “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” – Confucius
- “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela
- “Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.” – Sam Levenson
- “We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.” – Ronald Reagan
- “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” – John Lennon
- “It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.” – André Gide
- “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” – Peter Drucker
- “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” – James Baldwin
Famous Book Quotes Of All Time
Books can take us to new places and give us ideas in a lot of different ways. Here, we’ve put together a list of the most famous quotes from books ever.
From old classics to new best-sellers, these quotes get to the heart of the books they come from and give deep insights into life, love, and people.
- “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” – Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
- “The only way out of the labyrinth of suffering is to forgive.” – John Green, Looking for Alaska
- “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” – Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
- “I cannot live without my life! I cannot die without my soul!” – Emily Bronte, Wuthering Heights
- “The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.” – Ernest Hemingway, A Farewell to Arms
- “I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.” – Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
- “The only thing standing between you and your goal is the bullshit story you keep telling yourself as to why you can’t achieve it.” – Jordan Belfort, The Wolf of Wall Street
- “There are years that ask questions and years that answer.” – Zora Neale Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God
- “The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds.” – Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook
- “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” – George Orwell, Animal Farm
- “I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.” – Tennessee Williams, A Streetcar Named Desire
- “I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think.” – Socrates, The Apology
- “It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.” – J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
- “If you look for perfection, you’ll never be content.” – Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
- “The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved.” – Jack Kerouac, On the Road
- “It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” – J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
- “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” – Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities
- “What is essential is invisible to the eye.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince
- “For small creatures such as we, the vastness is bearable only through love.” – Carl Sagan, Cosmos
- “The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed.” – Stephen King, The Gunslinger
Famous Funny Quotes of All Time
Laughter is the best medicine, and these famous funny quotes are guaranteed to make you smile.
We’ve put together a list of the funniest quotes ever said, from clever one-liners to funny observations.
Even when things are bad, these quotes show that there’s always something to laugh about.
- “Before you marry a person, you should first make them use a computer with slow Internet service to see who they really are.” – Will Ferrell
- “My advice to you is get married: If you find a good wife you’ll be happy; if not, you’ll become a philosopher.” – Socrates
- “I’m not afraid of death; I just don’t want to be there when it happens.” – Woody Allen
- “I can resist everything except temptation.” – Oscar Wilde
- “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” – Thomas Edison
- “I always wanted to be somebody, but now I realize I should have been more specific.” – Lily Tomlin
- “I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying.” – Oscar Wilde
- “I told my wife the truth. I told her I was seeing a psychiatrist. Then she told me the truth: that she was seeing a psychiatrist, two plumbers, and a bartender.” – Rodney Dangerfield
- “I am free of all prejudices. I hate everyone equally.” – W.C. Fields
- “I never forget a face, but in your case, I’ll be glad to make an exception.” – Groucho Marx
Most Famous Inspirational Quotes
Life can be hard, and sometimes we all need a little motivation. In this section, we’ve put together a list of the most famous motivational quotes to help you stay motivated and inspired.
From religious leaders to business giants, these quotes show that if you have the courage and determination to go after your dreams, anything is possible.
- “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt
- “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill
- “Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.” – Sam Levenson
- “What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.” – Zig Ziglar
- “The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.” – Steve Jobs
- “Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.” – Christian D. Larson
- “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Nelson Mandela
- “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
- “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” – C.S. Lewis
- “I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear.” – Rosa Parks
Famous Short Quotes of All Time
These famous short quotes show that sometimes less is more. In this section, we’ve put together a list of the most powerful and important quotes ever said, all of which are less than 20 words long.
Even though these quotes are short, they have a big impact.
- “I think, therefore I am.” – René Descartes
- “To be or not to be, that is the question.” – William Shakespeare
- “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” – Muhammad Ali
- “Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.” – Forrest Gump (movie)
- “In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.” – Robert Frost
- “All you need is love.” – The Beatles
- “We accept the love we think we deserve.” – Stephen Chbosky
- “It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.” – J.K. Rowling
- “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” – Winston Churchill
- “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” – Anais Nin
Best Famous Quotes By Famous People
Famous or intellectual people look at life from a different angle than most people, and their words often give us valuable lessons and ideas.
We’ve put together a list of the best famous quotes by famous people in this section.
From philosophers to actors, these quotes capture the spirit of the people who said them and give us all lessons that will last forever.
- “Less is more.” – Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
- “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” – Socrates
- “If you want to be happy, be.” – Leo Tolstoy
- “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” – William Shakespeare
- “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
- “Happiness is a warm puppy.” – Charles M. Schulz
- “The unexamined life is not worth living.” – Socrates
- “True terror is to wake up one morning and discover that your high school class is running the country.” —Kurt Vonnegut
- “Sometimes the road less traveled is less traveled for a reason.” —Jerry Seinfeld
- Doing nothing is very hard to do. You never know when you’re finished.”—Leslie Nielsen
Most Famous Quotes in History
There are many famous quotes from the past that have changed the world we live in now. Take a look at some of the most famous quotes that have been said in the history of mankind.
- “I came, I saw, I conquered.” – Julius Caesar
- “Let them eat cake.” – Marie Antoinette
- “Give me liberty, or give me death.” – Patrick Henry
- “Veni, vidi, vici.” – Julius Caesar
- “Blood, toil, tears, and sweat.” – Winston Churchill
- “All men are created equal.” – Thomas Jefferson (Declaration of Independence)
- “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” – John Quincy Adams
- “Don’t walk in front of me; I may not follow. Don’t walk behind me; I may not lead. Walk beside me; just be my friend.” – Albert Camus
- “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it does rhyme.” — Mark Twain
- “The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history.” — George Orwell
Famous Quotes On Life Of All Time
Life is full of ups and downs, and these quotes help us understand what it’s like to be human.
In this section, we’ve put together a list of the wisest and most thought-provoking life quotes ever said. Even when things are bad, these quotes remind us to enjoy the beauty of life.
- “Life is like a camera. Focus on the good times, develop from the negatives, and if things don’t work out, take another shot.” – Unknown
- “Life is a journey, and if you fall in love with the journey, you will be in love forever.” – Peter Hagerty
- “The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams.” – Oprah Winfrey
- “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” – Charles R. Swindoll
- “Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can.” – Danny Kaye
- “Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.” – Søren Kierkegaard
- “Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” – Lao Tzu
- “Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” – Confucius
- “The purpose of our lives is to be happy.” – Dalai Lama
- “Life is a balance between holding on and letting go.” – Rumi
- “Life is not a dress rehearsal, this is the main event.” – Unknown
- “The biggest mistake you could ever make is being too afraid to make one.” – Unknown
- “Life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you only spend it once.” – Lillian Dickson
- “Life is a one-time offer, use it well.” – Unknown
- “Life is a game, play it; life is a challenge, meet it; life is an opportunity, capture it.” – Unknown
- “Life is a journey that must be traveled no matter how bad the roads and accommodations.” – Oliver Goldsmith
- “The quality of your life is determined by the quality of your thoughts.” – Robin Sharma
- “Life is a book and there are a thousand pages I have not yet read.” – Cassandra Clare
- “Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” – George Bernard Shaw
- “Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. Life is beauty, admire it. Life is a dream, realize it.” – Mother Teresa
Famous Love Quotes of All Time
- “The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds. And that’s what you’ve given me. That’s what I’d hoped to give you forever.” – Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook
- “Love is not about possession. Love is about appreciation.” – Osho
- “I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you simply, without problems or pride: I love you in this way because I do not know any other way of loving but this, in which there is no I or you, so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand, so intimate that when I fall asleep your eyes close.” – Pablo Neruda, 100 Love Sonnets
- “Love is an untamed force. When we try to control it, it destroys us. When we try to imprison it, it enslaves us. When we try to understand it, it leaves us feeling lost and confused.” – Paulo Coelho
- “Love is not what you say. Love is what you do.” – Unknown
- “To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides.” – David Viscott
- “The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.” – Audrey Hepburn
- “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” – Lao Tzu
- “Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired.” – Robert Frost
- “Love is like the wind, you can’t see it but you can feel it.” – Nicholas Sparks, A Walk to Remember
FAQ: Best And Most Famous Quotes
What Is the Most Inspiring Quote of All Time?
This is subjective as everyone has their own interpretation of what is inspiring. However, one of the most universally inspiring quotes is “Be the change you wish to see in the world” by Mahatma Gandhi. This quote encourages individuals to take action and make a difference in the world.
What Is the Coolest Quote Ever?
This is also subjective and can vary depending on personal preference. However, one of the coolest quotes ever is “Do or do not. There is no try” by Yoda in Star Wars. This quote is often used to inspire people to take action and commit fully to their goals.
What Is a Good Famous Quote?
A good famous quote is one that resonates with people and has stood the test of time. One such quote is: “Life is what we make it, always has been, always will be” by Grandma Moses.
Ready To Embrace the Wisdom From these Famous Quotes?
As we come to the end of this article, we hope that you have been inspired by the timeless wisdom of these famous quotes.
From the inspirational to the humorous, the love-filled to the life-affirming, these quotes represent some of the most powerful and insightful words ever spoken.
We encourage you to take these quotes to heart and apply them to your life in meaningful ways.
So take a moment to reflect on your favorite quotes and consider how you can apply their messages to your life. Embrace the wisdom of the ages and let these famous quotes be a guiding light on your journey towards personal growth and fulfillment.
May these quotes continue to inspire and uplift you for years to come.
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