114 Quotes To Live By

Discover quotes to live by that offer encouragement and practical wisdom for everyday life. From treating people with kindness to making the most of your time, these words remind us that small choices can make a lasting difference.

We may not always have control over what happens, but we can choose our attitude and how we respond. I hope these quotes inspire you to live with purpose, gratitude, and compassion.

Updated October 9, 2026, by Catherine Pulsifer.

Words to Guide Everyday Life

The words we choose to live by can influence how we treat others, face challenges, and spend our days. These quotes offer simple reminders about kindness, honesty, gratitude, and making each day count.

Forgive all who have offended you, not for them, but for yourself.
Harriet Nelson

We often fall short of time because we tend to spend more time on redundant activities which will leave us with very less time for important activities.
Brian Adams, Time Management

One lesson I can leave you...Do noble things, not dream them all day long
Charles Kingsley, Nobility Of Goodness

Never lose an old friend no matter what the cause.
Author Unknown, Friends

Honesty is a good way to live your life each day because you never have to think what did I say!
Catherine Pulsifer, Being Honest

Dear God! let me grow from day to day, clinging and sunny and bright!
Mary Mapes Dodge

A smile given in forgiveness is pure - to stop an argument it can cure.
Catherine Pulsifer, Worth Its Weight In Gold

Speak gently; it is better far to rule by love than fear.
David Bates

Our lives are but a speck in time, so make the most out of every day.
Catherine Pulsifer

Never regret something that once made you smile.
Amber Deckers

Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.
Mother Teresa

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
John F. Kennedy

Each time you love, love as deeply as if it were forever.
Audre Lorde

So as one ending occurs look forward, open the doors.
Catherine Pulsifer, Seasons Of Life

And so it [the day] turns from us, and goes away in sad disdain; though we could give our lives for it, it never comes again.
Miss Mulock, This Day Never Comes Again

At our work or by the wayside, while the sunshine's making hay; thus we may, by help of Heaven, learn a little every day.
Unknown, Learn A Little

Though men do contradict, God's words agree; for what the early Bible prophets wrote, we find that Christ and his apostles quote. so, trust no creed that trembles or offends
Unknown, How Readest Thou?

Focus on the future and forget the "ifs" - don't get caught in the "what if" riff.
Catherine Pulsifer, The Tiny Word of "If"

Wishing no longer shapes my living, my living shapes my wishing.
Julie Hebert, Live Life

If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share.
W. Clement Stone

Waste not moments nor your words in telling what you could do
Phoebe Cary, No Time Like The Present

It is never too late to make things right.
Unknown

Grant us wisdom and love to help this child learn to sing his own song.
Anne Spring, Prayer For A New Baby

Do not read, as children do, to amuse yourself, or like the ambitious, for the purpose of instruction. No, read in order to live.
Gustave Flaubert

Let my temptation be a book, which I shall purchase, hold and keep.
Eugene Field

If you are wise, you will forget yourself into greatness. Forget your rights, but remember your responsibilities.
William Arthur Ward, If You Are Wise

Remember the saying this shall pass - sadness is not meant to last.
Catherine Pulsifer, This Shall Pass

Only the new days are our own; to-day is ours, and to-day alone.
Susan Coolidge, New Every Morning

Living With Kindness and Gratitude

Life is richer when we show kindness, forgive others, and appreciate what we have.

...man is blest who does his best and leaves the rest; then do not worry.
Charles F. Deems, Do Not Worry

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Max Ehrmann

Life is too short and precious to waste it doing things that don't please you.
D.D. Tai, Mind: How To Pleasure Your Mind Everyday

From the high mountain tops that front the day - turn, pilgrim, turn, and take the wiser way, - the upper road.
Priscilla Leonard, The Upper Road

Forgiving isn’t something you do for someone else. It's something you do for yourself. It's saying 'You’re not important enough to have a stranglehold on me.
Jodi Picoult

Angry words! O let them never from the tongue unbridled slip
Unknown, Angry Words

No idling in the pathway hard and slow; I must go forward, or must backward go!
Susan Coolidge, Forward

Careful for nothing, prayerful for everything, thankful for anything.
Dwight L. Moody

Hating no man, scorning no man, wronging none by word or deed; but forbearing, soothing, serving, thus I live - and this my creed.
Joseph Hobbins, You Ask Me How I Live

Put a bit of sunshine in the day; others need its cheer and so do you
Juniata Stafford, Scatter Sunshine

Living a life that you love and loving the life that you are living is the truest demonstration of abundance.
Lisa Nichols, Abundance Now

When your plans have gone awry, things will straighten if you try. When perplexed just what to do ...Stick to it!
David v. Bush

Some will hate thee, some will love thee...cease from man and look above thee; trust in God and do the right.
Norman McLeod, Trust In God, And Do The Right

When skies are all a perfect blue and wealth and happiness pursue, ah, one must be extremely wise who can detect the world's disguise!
NIxon Waterman, Our Dark-Day Friends

I cannot build a mountain, or catch a rainbow fair. But let me be what I know best... A friend who's always there.
Unknown, If I Could Catch A Rainbow

If we were all perfect we would never learn how to handle an obstacle at the next turn.
Catherine Pulsifer, No One Is Perfect

If you fall short on a daily goal, make sure not to beat yourself up too much over it.
Bryan Cohen, How to Work for Yourself

Dear little children, never think that you, because you're small, Have no important place to fill, there's work for one and all.
John Franklin Bair, little Things

Before we indulge in self-pity we should open our eyes and see others in worse situations
Catherine Pulsifer, Habits We Need To Let Go Of

The man who gets most out of life is the man who takes advantage of every opportunity
Charles Rufus Skinner, Most Out Of Life

Be the best of whatever you are.
Douglas Malloch

You can give the people who contributed to the betterment of your life a simple 'Thank You' even through a text message or a short call.
Rocco Cozza, Success Habits For The Morning

A good one to live by, a day at a time!
Helen Hunt Jackson, One Day At A Time

All that we send into the lives of others comes back into our own.
Edwin Markham, A Creed

Let us treat each other right, and live upright, honest and fair
J. J. Thorne

We must write the song, whatever the words...and if it is sad, we must make it glad, and if sweet, we must make it sweeter.
Gibbon, Our Lives Are Songs

Blessings on the man who smiles...the man who smiles when the clouds lower, when fortune frowns, when the tides are adverse.
George L. Perin, Blessings On The Man

Forgive thy brother who has erred...and, as you speak a generous word, assist his feet to stand.
Daniel C. Colesworthy

Making the Most of Each Day

Each new day gives us another chance to make thoughtful choices and enjoy the moments we are given.

I only need to see my path for this one day.
Mary Frances Butts

Without the truth, relationships die - There is nothing any worse than a little white lie.
Samatha A. M. Lynch, The Only Way

Gentle words and kindly manners...gain true friends and life is richer, making men seem heaven-born.
W.J.M., Kindness Poem

Those who believe in abundance of time just like any other resource, are able to do so much in a short period of time.
Zeeshan Raza, U Turn Your Life

Give, give, be always giving; who gives not is not living; the more you give the more you live.
Unknown, Be Always Giving

To breathe, and wake, and sleep, to smile, to sigh, to grieve, to move in idleness through earth, this, this is not to live.
Horatius Bonar, Make Haste, O Man! To Live

When the motive is right and the will is strong - there are no limits to human power
Ella Wheeler Wilcox, Limitless

Hold on to God, the Lord is by thy side, when we in His commands abide, hold on to God, help comes at last, if we but wait, and trust, and ask.
A. B. V. Dyke, Hold On To God

Let us read, and let us dance; these two amusements will never do any harm to the world. Voltaire

For This One Hour I can be unselfish. I can take the Golden Rule off the shelf, .... and put it to work in my thoughts, words and actions... right now.
William Arthur Ward

With aging comes great wisdom, and that should be looked at!
Julie Hebert, Old Age

Christmas is forever, ...not for just one day. For loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away.
Norman W. Brooks, Christmas Is Forever

....help me to remember in prayer all those that need your guidance and love each and every day.
Byron Pulsifer, Prayer To Serve

When upon us wrong is hurled, strike not back again.
James Henry Thomas

Wisdom reflects and ask forgiveness, kind words never die.
J. J. Thorne

Love the sinner and hate the sin.
St. Augustine

Criticism has no place in God’s plan for living; work together for His good, give and keep on giving
Greta Zwaan, Reason to Sing

Talk less about the years to come. Give love, and labor more, today.
Alice Cary, Some Days

Find what you love - and do it! Life is too short to waste it doing something you don't enjoy.
Diann B. Murr, Wake Up Successful

Where Love resides you'll find a rainbow too, soft colours that enhance and Hope renew
Jaymac, Where Love Resides...

Smiles, "hellos", and small talk can go a long way, especially when building your network.
Mark Snyder, Productive Makeover Success

For the joy of enjoying and the fullness of living are found in the heart that is filled with thanksgiving
Helen Steiner Rice, Fill Your Heart With Thanksgiving

It is better to let go then live your life in a low
Catherine Pulsifer, Good To End

So in life the same is true - Take baby steps in all you do. don't try to move the mountain all at once...
Catherine Pulsifer, Life's Baby Steps

Do not linger short term goals to make them long term
Edward Kelly, Getting Things Done the David Allen Way

You need to speak your truth very kindly to the people around you and they will learn to respect you more.
Michele Gilbert,The Introvert

In careless words we riot, and life would be sore - if tongues would but be quiet, and the heart say more.
Walt Mason, Seeds of Kindness

Enjoy what has been given to you; embrace each day as a gift and delight that you are able to make it a day to remember and not a day to despise.
Byron Pulsifer

Choices, Growth, and Moving Forward

We all face setbacks and changes. These words encourage us to learn, keep trying, and move forward with hope.

Don't be impatient stop and think: better have cool moments on Despondency's brink
Daniel C. Colesworthy

But he who slanders in the open may live to wish he had not spoken.
Arthur Franklin Fuller

Allow yourself to learn from others without feeling as if you are coming up short because you didn't know the answer yourself.
Riley Stevens, 50 Ways to Change Your Life in 50 Minutes

Work and family life cannot just exist separately because time and again, these two things will keep on interfering with each other.
Fhilcar Faunillan, Smart Parenting

The power of the mind is paramount to understanding and acquiring happiness.
Roberts Rivers, Happiness Is Possible

Don't deny the reality that life is going to have ups and downs. Bad things can and do happen to anyone- facing that reality and dealing with it head on is so much better than ignoring it.
Krista "KK" Weatherspoon, 50 Things To Know

Whether it be a business of your own or that dream job that keeps calling to you, don’t spend another day without doing something that will bring you a step closer to that dream.
Cary David Richards, The Happiness Habit

In giving criticism to others the key is to avoid a haphazard, ‘shoot-from-the-hip’ approach.
Randy Garner, Constructing Effective Criticism

Fear closes you down, thwarts creativity and limits choices to those of survival. The same is true for shame, anger, self-doubt, and worry (all brothers and sisters to fear).
Janeen Latini, Love to Lead. Lead to Love

By changing your perspective on life, you will, in turn, change your life.
Michael Austin Jacobs, Change Your Perspective, Change Your Life

There is nothing more hurtful than sharing with the one you love and feeling like they are not listening.
Amanda Thompson, The Perfect Husband For Your Wife - You!

By reminding ourselves that we are mortal we will be more likely to make courageous choices, be adventurous, live life to the fullest and embrace who you are truly meant to be.
Mark Patterson

I am content with what I have, little be it, or much
John Bunyan, A Song Of Low Degree

Living your life focusing on money is not going to make you happy.
Riley Stevens, 50 Ways to Change Your Life in 50 Minutes

Do not wait until tomorrow - do what good you can today
Alfred S. Retz

Successful people know the value of hard work but they also know the value of rest and relaxation.
Skip Powell, Success Habits 101

A person needs 7-9 hours of sleep a day. You are prone to stress when you are sleep deprived.
Jonathan Brown, Depression

We can choose to lose our peace, freak out and get angry or we can choose to take a deep breath, look to God and trust that He’s got it all under control.
Rebecca Bryan, The Carols of Christmas

The best lessons our kids learn from us are what they learn by example.
Larry Hagner, The Dad's Edge

Aside from being linked to many health benefits, eating breakfast can give you the energy that you need for the morning so you can avoid the morning slump.
Josh David, People Skills Guide

Your values serve as another foundation of how you make decisions in life.
Ace McCloud, Confident Communication Skills

To build up your listening skills, spend 5 minutes a day where you just listen and be aware of all the noises going on around you.
Ben Samson, Confidence Boosting Secrets

You may be having a bad day today, but remember that today is not forever.
AJ Winters, The Motivation Switch

No matter what skill you betray, the everyday life you are living, is certain to colour the play.
Ella Wheeler Wilcox

The World seems crumbling. But you’re not alone. Because someone cares. Someone is waiting for you, and someone is looking for you!
Rula Osta, Cheer Up! It's A New Day

Don't forget to say your pray'rs, for 'tis God who loves to keep
Jane Taylor, Getting Up

May life bring hellos a lot more and let the goodbyes go without keeping score.
Catherine Pulsifer, Hello, Goodbye

You've got to develop the short term action plan - the budget - that will allow you to achieve those goals and realize your vision.
Devin D. Thorpe, 925 Ideas to Help You Save Money

Choosing to commit for one month only can ease the pressure to perform that we often feel when starting out on a lifestyle change.
Maya Green, Resolution Evolution for Moms

The experience can be very bitter or hard but we can learn from this experience and grow as a result.
Edward Dunedin, Inspirational Quotes And Idioms On Life

Conclusion

We all need reminders now and then about what is important. These quotes to live by encourage us to be honest, forgive, appreciate others, and use our time wisely. None of us will get everything right, but every day is a chance to try again.

Choose one thought that speaks to you and put it into practice today. A simple change in the way we think or act can make a difference.

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