150 Inspirational Quotes to Keep You Going When You Want to Give Up

Last year, I hit a wall that felt impossible to climb. I was working on a project that seemed to be going nowhere, my energy was depleted, and every morning felt like a battle just to open my laptop. I remember sitting at my desk, head in my hands, seriously considering throwing in the towel. It wasn’t just one thing; it was the slow accumulation of setbacks that made me feel like “keeping on” was no longer an option.

In that moment of total exhaustion, I stumbled across a simple line by Winston Churchill: “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” It sounds almost too simple, doesn’t it? But there’s a profound truth in those seven words. The only way to get out of the “hell” of a difficult situation is to keep moving until you reach the other side. Stopping only keeps you stuck in the middle of the fire.

I’ve found that when the road gets steep, we don’t need complex strategies or 50-page manifestos. We need a spark. We need a reminder that we aren’t the first to feel this way and that the finish line is often closer than it seems. These quotes are those sparks. They are the espresso shots of wisdom I turn to when my own tank is running on empty.

Here are 150 powerful, bite-sized quotes to fuel your spirit and keep you moving forward, no matter how slow the progress feels.

Inspirational Quotes to Keep You Going Through Hard Times

When life feels heavy, it’s easy to lose sight of the strength you’ve already demonstrated just by showing up. I keep these quotes on sticky notes around my office for those days when the shadows feel a bit longer than usual. They remind me that endurance isn’t about running a marathon at full speed; sometimes, it’s just about taking the next breath and the next step.

“If you’re going through hell, keep going.” — Winston Churchill

This is the ultimate reminder that the only way out of a struggle is through it. If you stop now, you’re just staying in the fire.

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” — Confucius

Failure is just a temporary state. The real victory is the act of standing back up, brushing off the dust, and trying again.

“Hard times don’t create heroes. It is during the hard times when the ‘hero’ within us is revealed.” — Bob Riley

We don’t know what we’re made of until we’re tested. These moments are when your true character has the chance to shine.

“The road to success and the road to failure are almost exactly the same.” — Colin R. Davis

The difference is often just one more step. Both paths require effort, but only one leads to where you want to be.

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” — Theodore Roosevelt

Your mindset is the foundation. If you don’t believe the next step is possible, your legs won’t want to take it.

“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” — Confucius

Persistence is more important than speed. A slow crawl still covers ground, while standing still covers none.

“Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear.” — George Addair

Fear is often the final gatekeeper before a breakthrough. If you feel it, you’re likely getting close to something meaningful.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” — Winston Churchill

We often over-index on outcomes. The real skill is the ability to keep the engine running regardless of the current scoreboard.

“Difficulties in life are intended to make us better, not bitter.” — Dan Meyer

We can choose to let our struggles harden our hearts or sharpen our resolve. I try to choose the latter every single day.

“Fall seven times, stand up eight.” — Japanese Proverb

This is the definition of resilience. The numbers don’t matter as long as the “stands” outnumber the “falls.”

“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’” — Mary Anne Radmacher

I love this because it honors the quiet battles. Sometimes, simply deciding not to quit is the bravest thing you can do.

“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

When you’re tired, it’s easy to settle for “good enough” or “comfortable.” Jobs reminds us that the search itself is worth the effort.

“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.” — Maya Angelou

Defeat is an event, not an identity. You can lose the battle and still win the war of your own life.

“Keep your face always toward the sunshine—and shadows will fall behind you.” — Walt Whitman

Focus dictates your reality. If you look for the light, the darkness naturally moves to the periphery of your vision.

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

The will to keep going is the most important asset in your toolkit. Anyone can try once, but the ones who win are the ones who refuse to quit.

Motivational Words to Keep Moving Forward

Forward motion is the best antidote to despair. When I’m feeling stuck, I don’t try to solve the whole problem; I just look for the smallest possible action I can take right now. These quotes celebrate that momentum. Even if you’re only moving an inch at a time, you’re still ahead of everyone who stayed on the couch.

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” — Mark Twain

We often waste more energy dreading the task than the task itself actually requires. Just start the engine.

“Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.” — Sam Levenson

Time is going to pass anyway. You might as well spend it building the life you want instead of worrying about how long it’s taking.

“Press forward. Do not stop, do not linger in your journey, but strive for the mark set before you.” — George Whitefield

There is a certain momentum in movement. Once you get going, it becomes much easier to maintain your pace.

“Keep on going, and the chances are that you will stumble on something, perhaps when you are least expecting it.” — Charles F. Kettering

I’ve found that most of my “lucky breaks” happened because I was already in motion. Luck favors the persistent.

“You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” — Martin Luther King Jr.

Clarity is a luxury we don’t always have. Faith is taking the step even when the top of the stairs is shrouded in mist.

“Forward is forward, no matter the pace.” — Unknown

This is my personal mantra. I don’t care if I’m running or crawling, as long as the direction is right.

“Always crawl before you walk and walk before you run.” — Unknown

Respect the process. Progress has phases, and you can’t skip the “keep going” part of the early stages.

“He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” — Friedrich Nietzsche

Maintaining your fire while it’s raining is much easier when you have a clear purpose driving you forward.

“Action is the foundational key to all success.” — Pablo Picasso

Thinking about it is fine, but doing it is what changes the world. Keep your hands busy and your feet moving.

“Just keep swimming.” — Dory (Finding Nemo)

It’s a simple movie line, but it’s perfect. Sometimes, life is just about that repetitive, steady effort to stay afloat.

“Little by little, one travels far.” — J.R.R. Tolkien

Tolkien knew a thing or two about long journeys. The epic scale of your life is built one small mile at a time.

“The only thing for certain is that if you don’t start, you won’t arrive.” — Unknown

The math is simple: zero effort equals zero result. Any effort above zero gives you a fighting chance.

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” — Arthur Ashe

Don’t wait for perfect conditions. They don’t exist. Start with your current tools and keep upgrading as you go.

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” — Lao Tzu

The classics are classics for a reason. This reminder of the power of the “start” is timeless.

“The best way out is always through.” — Robert Frost

Avoidance is a debt that collects interest. Facing it and moving through it is the only way to find peace.

Powerful Phrases for Persistence and Endurance

Persistence is the ability to keep your head down and your heart open when the world seems to be saying “enough.” I’ve found that my greatest breakthroughs usually happened about ten minutes after I felt like I couldn’t go on. If you’re looking for more ways to build this muscle, our collection of perseverance quotes offers even more specialized wisdom for the grind.

“Energy and persistence conquer all things.” — Benjamin Franklin

It’s not always the smartest or the strongest who win, but the ones who refuse to leave the room.

“A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence.” — Jim Watkins

Consistency is a superpower. Small, repeated actions have a geological impact over time.

“Perseverance is failing 19 times and succeeding the 20th.” — Julie Andrews

Success is often just a numbers game. You have to be willing to stomach the first 19 failures to earn the win.

“Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.” — John Quincy Adams

When you commit to outlasting the problem, the problem often starts to look smaller.

“Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did.” — Newt Gingrich

This is the most honest definition I’ve ever heard. It’s the “extra mile” that truly defines the journey.

“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” — Albert Einstein

Even one of the greatest minds in history attributed his success to his “staying power” rather than just raw intellect.

“In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins—not through strength but by perseverance.” — H. Jackson Brown Jr.

Softness and persistence can overcome the hardest resistance if given enough time.

“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” — Thomas Edison

I often think about this when I’m ready to quit. What if the finish line is just one more inch away?

“Survival can be summed up in three words—never give up. That’s the heart of it really. Just keep trying.” — Bear Grylls

When everything else is stripped away, your resolve is the only thing that matters.

“Continuous effort—not strength or intelligence—is the key to unlocking our potential.” — Winston Churchill

Effort is the bridge between where you are and where you want to be.

“Perseverance is a real element of success. If you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody.” — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The world eventually yields to the person who refuses to be ignored.

“Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.” — Bill Bradley

You need the destination, but you also need the fuel and the wheels to get there.

“Through perseverance, many people win success out of what seemed destined to be certain failure.” — Benjamin Disraeli

The story isn’t over until you decide it is. You can rewrite a “failed” ending as a “mid-story challenge.”

“Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go.” — William Feather

Often, you don’t have to be the best; you just have to be the last one standing.

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

The will to keep going is the most important asset in your toolkit.

Uplifting Wisdom to Never Give Up on Your Dreams

Your dreams are the compass for your life, but sometimes the terrain between here and there is rocky. I’ve had dreams that I almost abandoned because the path became too difficult. Every time I held on, I realized that the struggle was actually preparing me for the dream itself. For a deeper look at the philosophy of persistence, I highly recommend exploring Quote Investigator to see how these timeless ideas have evolved over centuries.

“Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.” — Earl Nightingale

This is one of the most practical pieces of advice ever given. Five years will pass whether you’re working on your dream or not.

“Don’t be discouraged. It’s often the last key in the bunch that opens the lock.” — Unknown

This reminds me to stay hopeful even when I’m on my tenth attempt. The breakthrough could be seconds away.

“A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work.” — Colin Powell

Magic is just what people call hard work once they see the results from the outside.

“The only thing that stands between you and your dream is the will to try and the belief that it is actually possible.” — Joel Brown

If you can bridge the gap between “I want it” and “I’m doing it,” the dream is already in motion.

“Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.” — Langston Hughes

Dreams give our lives their lift. Protecting them is a matter of spiritual survival.

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

The calendar doesn’t get to decide when your inspiration expires. Keep reaching.

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” — Eleanor Roosevelt

Belief is the gravitational force that pulls your future toward you.

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” — Harriet Tubman

You already have the raw materials. The “keep going” part is just the assembly process.

“Our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” — Walt Disney

Courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s the decision that the dream is more important than the fear.

“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Innovation requires the persistence to keep walking when there’s no one ahead of you to show the way.

“The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt

Doubt is the only thing that can truly stop you. If you keep moving, doubt eventually gets left behind.

“Aim for the moon. If you miss, you may hit a star.” — W. Clement Stone

The effort itself elevates you. Even a “missed” dream often lands you in a better place than where you started.

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” — Henry David Thoreau

Confidence is built through the small, daily act of not giving up.

“When you have a dream, you’ve got to grab it and never let go.” — Carol Burnett

Tenacity is the secret ingredient of every success story you’ve ever admired.

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” — Nelson Mandela

This is the ultimate perspective shift. Every major achievement looked “impossible” from the starting line.

Encouraging Quotes for Staying Strong and Positive

Staying positive isn’t about ignoring reality; it’s about choosing which part of reality to focus on. When I’m feeling weak, I look for quotes that remind me of my innate resilience. We’ve compiled more of these inspirational quotes for difficult days that can help you maintain your mental health while you’re pushing toward your goals.

“You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” — Marcus Aurelius

The Stoics knew that our internal response is the only thing we truly control. That control is where your power lies.

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Your internal reservoir of strength is deeper than any challenge you’ll ever face.

“Tough times never last, but tough people do.” — Robert H. Schuller

Problems have an expiration date. You don’t. You can outlast any storm if you just keep your feet planted.

“The best way to predict your future is to create it.” — Abraham Lincoln

Instead of worrying about what’s coming, use your energy to build what you want to see.

“Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it.” — Charles R. Swindoll

Your reaction is your steering wheel. Even on a bumpy road, you’re the one in control of the direction.

“You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” — A.A. Milne

We are terrible judges of our own strength. You are capable of so much more than your tired mind is telling you right now.

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” — Helen Keller

Hope is the engine of action. Without it, “keeping going” feels like a chore; with it, it feels like an adventure.

“In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.” — Albert Einstein

Train your eyes to look for the “hidden gift” in every setback. It’s usually there if you’re persistent enough to find it.

“Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.” — Norman Vincent Peale

Self-belief is the foundation of every step you take. Protect it at all costs.

“Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start.” — Nido Qubein

Don’t let your “now” define your “forever.” Where you are is just a waypoint, not a destination.

“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

You have the agency to keep evolving. Each day you keep going is a vote for the person you want to become.

“Change your thoughts and you change your world.” — Norman Vincent Peale

The battle is won or lost in your mind first. Keep your thoughts focused on the “how” instead of the “why me.”

“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.” — Confucius

Finding beauty in the struggle is a high-level skill that makes the journey much more bearable.

“It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” — Epictetus

Another Stoic reminder that your power is internal. No one can take your “keep going” spirit away from you.

“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.” — William James

You can choose the thought that says “I can’t” or the one that says “I’ll try one more time.” Choose wisely.

Inspirational Sayings for Resilience in the Face of Adversity

Resilience is often described as “bouncing back,” but I think it’s more like “moving through.” When you’re facing a wall, resilience is the part of you that starts looking for a ladder or a way to tunnel under. It’s an active process of adaptation. For more on the science of staying strong, the American Psychological Association has excellent resources on building your mental toughness.

“Resilience is knowing that you are the only one that has the power and the responsibility to pick yourself up.” — Mary Holloway

Taking ownership of your recovery is the first step toward moving forward again.

“The human capacity for burden is like bamboo—far more flexible than you’d ever believe at first glance.” — Jodi Picoult

You are designed to bend without breaking. Trust in your natural flexibility to handle the weight of the moment.

“I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.” — Maya Angelou

Events may leave a mark, but they don’t have to shrink your soul. You can grow bigger than the thing that hurt you.

“Resilience is very different than being numb. Resilience means you experience, you feel, you fail, you hurt. You fall. But, you keep going.” — Yasmin Mogahed

True strength isn’t the absence of pain; it’s the ability to feel the pain and keep walking anyway.

“No matter how much falls on us, we keep plowing ahead. That’s the only way to keep the roads clear.” — Greg Kincaid

Action clears the path. If you stop, the problems just pile up higher.

“The oak fought the wind and was broken, the willow bent when it must and survived.” — Robert Jordan

Rigidity is a weakness in a storm. Learning when to adapt is a key part of the “keep going” strategy.

“A good half of the art of living is resilience.” — Alain de Botton

Life is unpredictable. Your ability to adjust to those shifts is what determines your long-term happiness.

“Persistence and resilience only come from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems.” — Gever Tulley

Don’t resent the hard times; they are the training ground for the strength you’ll need later.

“On the other side of a storm is the strength that comes from having navigated through it.” — Gregory S. Williams

The storm isn’t just an obstacle; it’s a teacher. You emerge with skills you couldn’t have learned in the sun.

“Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.” — J.K. Rowling

When you’ve lost everything, you’ve also lost the fear of losing. That’s a powerful place to start again.

“She stood in the storm and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails.” — Elizabeth Edwards

You can’t control the wind, but you can always control how you navigate it.

“Like tiny seeds with potent power to push through decaying rocks and become mighty trees, we also have such inner reserves.” — Catherine Pulsifer

There is a quiet, explosive power within you that can break through even the hardest circumstances.

“The difference between a strong person and a weak one is that the former does not give up after a defeat.” — Woodrow Wilson

Defeat is a pause, not a full stop. The strong person treats it as a chance to catch their breath.

“We are all bitched by fate, but we can at least choose how we respond.” — Marcus Aurelius

A blunt but effective reminder that while we can’t control our luck, we always control our character.

“Life doesn’t get easier or more forgiving, we get stronger and more resilient.” — Steve Maraboli

Don’t wait for the world to change. Focus on your own growth, and the world will seem much more manageable.

Determined Quotes to Fuel Your Daily Drive

Some days, you don’t need a life-changing epiphany; you just need enough fuel to get through the next eight hours. I call this “daily drive”—the practical, gritty determination to do the work even when it feels mundane. If you need a quick boost for your career goals, check out our motivational success quotes for more professional inspiration.

“Determination is the wake-up call to the human will.” — Anthony Robbins

When you decide “I am doing this,” your mind stops looking for excuses and starts looking for solutions.

“The only thing standing between you and your goal is the story you keep telling yourself as to why you can’t achieve it.” — Jordan Belfort

Change the narrative, and you change the outcome. Stop telling the story of the victim and start telling the story of the victor.

“Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough.” — Og Mandino

If your “why” is big enough, the “how” will take care of itself.

“Decision is a sharp knife that cuts clean and straight; indecision, a dull one that hacks and tears and leaves a ragged edge behind it.” — Gordon Graham

Commitment is an energy-saver. Once you’ve decided to keep going, you stop wasting energy on the “should I?” question.

“People with a strong will-power always have a bigger chance of succeeding.” — Unknown

Willpower is like a muscle—the more you use it to keep going, the stronger it gets for the next challenge.

“It’s not about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.” — Sylvester Stallone (Rocky Balboa)

This is the ultimate quote for daily drive. It’s about taking the punches and staying in the ring.

“The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves.” — Vince Lombardi

Focus on the application of your best self, and the results will eventually follow.

“The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” — Confucius

Break your big goals into “small stone” tasks. It makes the “keep going” part much less intimidating.

“I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” — Michael Jordan

Jordan’s drive was fueled by his failures. He used every missed shot as a reason to take the next one.

“Dream big and dare to fail.” — Norman Vaughan

The “dare to fail” part is what keeps you going when things go wrong. It’s part of the contract.

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence.” — Calvin Coolidge

Coolidge’s famous speech on persistence is a testament to the fact that talent and genius are no match for staying power.

“Determination gives you the resolve to keep going in spite of the roadblocks that lay before you.” — Denis Waitley

Roadblocks are just tests of your resolve. See them as a challenge to your creativity.

“You just can’t beat the person who never gives up.” — Babe Ruth

Persistence eventually exhausts the opposition. If you stay in the game long enough, you’ll find an opening.

“There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.” — Beverly Sills

Accepting the length of the journey makes it easier to maintain your pace for the long haul.

“The only way to achieve the impossible is to believe it is possible.” — Charles Kingsleigh (Alice in Wonderland)

Belief is the spark plug for determination. Without it, the engine never turns over.

Hopeful Words to Keep Your Head Up

Hope isn’t just a feeling; it’s a strategic advantage. When you have hope, you see possibilities that are invisible to the hopeless. I’ve found that reading inspirational quotes to lift your spirit can actually change my physiological state when I’m feeling down. Hope gives you the “eyes” to see the path forward when it’s dark.

“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” — Desmond Tutu

Tutu knew darkness intimately. His hope was a choice, and it changed the course of a nation.

“Everything that is done in this world is done by hope.” — Martin Luther Luther

Hope is the catalyst for every invention, every reform, and every personal breakthrough.

“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.” — Nelson Mandela

This is a powerful filter for decision-making. Ask yourself: “Am I doing this because I’m afraid, or because I’m hopeful?”

“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all.” — Emily Dickinson

I love the idea that hope is a constant, quiet melody that plays in the background if we’re willing to listen.

“Where there is hope, there is life. It fills us with fresh courage and makes us strong again.” — Anne Frank

Even in the most dire circumstances, Anne Frank found that hope was the source of her strength.

“Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear.” — Thich Nhat Hanh

Hope doesn’t just help the future; it provides immediate relief in the present.

“The very least you can do in your life is figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope.” — Barbara Kingsolver

Don’t just have hope—inhabit it. Let it inform every action you take today.

“Hope is a waking dream.” — Aristotle

It’s the bridge between the world we have and the world we want to create.

“Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.” — Christopher Reeve

Choice is the operative word. Hope isn’t something that happens to you; it’s something you decide to have.

“To live without hope is to cease to live.” — Fyodor Dostoevsky

We need hope to survive just as much as we need air and water. It’s the oxygen of the spirit.

“Hope is the only thing stronger than fear.” — Suzanne Collins

In the battle for your attention, hope is the only force that can consistently defeat fear.

“There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonic so powerful as expectation of something tomorrow.” — Orison Swett Marden

Hope is the ultimate performance enhancer. It keeps your eyes focused on the “tomorrow” that’s worth working for.

“Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering ‘it will be happier.’” — Alfred Lord Tennyson

Listen for that whisper. It’s the sound of your potential calling to you.

“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” — Martin Luther King Jr.

Disappointments are temporary and bounded. Hope is boundless and eternal.

“In all things it is better to hope than to despair.” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

If both take energy, you might as well use yours for the one that actually moves you forward.

Courageous Quotes to Keep Taking the Next Step

Courage is often misunderstood as being fearless. In reality, courage is the act of taking the next step while your knees are still shaking. It’s the “keep going” despite the internal alarm bells. For more on the relationship between courage and action, I highly recommend watching some of the powerful stories shared on TED by individuals who’ve faced immense challenges.

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt

Identify your “something else.” When that goal is big enough, your fear becomes manageable.

“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.” — Muhammad Ali

Risk is the entry fee for a life worth living. Pay it with a smile and keep moving.

“A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.” — Mahatma Gandhi

The internal narrative you choose determines the external reality you build.

“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear—not absence of fear.” — Mark Twain

You don’t need to get rid of your fear; you just need to get better at driving the car while the fear is in the passenger seat.

“Fortune favors the brave.” — Virgil

The universe seems to open doors for people who are willing to walk through them without knowing what’s on the other side.

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” — Walt Disney

Pursuit is an active word. It means chasing, not just wishing.

“Scared is what you’re feeling. Brave is what you’re doing.” — Emma Donoghue

I love this distinction. You can feel terrified and still act bravely. Your feelings don’t get to vote on your actions.

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.” — Eleanor Roosevelt

Every time you face a challenge and don’t quit, you’re upgrading your spiritual software.

“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” — John Wayne

The “saddling up” is the only part that matters. The rest is just noise in your head.

“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” — E.E. Cummings

Authenticity is a battle. It requires the persistence to keep shedding the layers that aren’t you.

“With courage you will dare to take risks, have the strength to be compassionate, and the wisdom to be humble. Courage is the foundation of integrity.” — Keshavan Nair

Courage is the base layer for all other virtues. Without it, you can’t maintain any of them for long.

“Courage is like a muscle. We strengthen it by use.” — Ruth Gordo

If you’re feeling weak, start with a tiny act of courage today. Then do it again tomorrow.

“One man with courage makes a majority.” — Andrew Jackson

Your single decision to keep going can change the momentum of an entire room.

“The secret to happiness is freedom… and the secret to freedom is courage.” — Thucydides

If you want to be free from the weight of your struggles, you must find the courage to move through them.

“Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Expect resistance. Use it as a confirmation that you’re actually doing something meaningful.

Wisdom to Keep You Going When You’re Exhausted

There is a specific kind of “keep going” that is required when you are simply, bone-deep tired. This isn’t the loud, shouting determination of the morning; it’s the quiet, steady persistence of the late night. For those moments when you feel like you have nothing left, Mindful.org offers practical ways to rest your mind without quitting your goals.

“When you are tired, learn to rest, not to quit.” — Banksy

This is the most important lesson in this entire collection. Exhaustion is a sign that you need a break, not a sign that your goal is wrong.

“A goal is not always meant to be reached, it often serves simply as something to aim at.” — Bruce Lee

The first try is easy. The fourth try, when you’re tired and discouraged, is where your true self is built by refusing to give up on the aim.

“The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” — Thomas Edison

The “one more time” philosophy has built more empires than talent ever has.

“Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.” — Victor Hugo

Time is the one thing that never stops moving. The dawn is coming, whether you feel like it or not.

“Rest when you’re weary. Refresh and renew yourself, your body, your mind, your spirit. Then get back to work.” — Ralph Marston

Give yourself permission to pause. A rested runner is faster than a stumbling one.

“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” — Martin Luther King Jr.

Adjust your speed to match your energy level, but never let the needle hit zero.

“The struggle you’re in today is developing the strength you need for tomorrow. Don’t give up.” — Robert Tew

See your exhaustion as the “burn” of a workout. It’s a sign of growth, not a sign of failure.

“Persistence is the twin sister of excellence. One is a matter of quality; the other, a matter of time.” — Marabel Morgan

If you keep the quality up and keep the time going, success is statistically inevitable.

“Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one.” — Bruce Lee

Expect the difficulty. When it arrives, you’ll be ready for it instead of surprised by it.

“Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life. Tiptoe if you must, but take the step.” — Naeem Callaway

A tiptoe counts as progress. Don’t let the smallness of the step discourage you.

“You are so close to the breakthrough you’ve been praying for. Don’t stop now.” — Unknown

I often tell myself this when I’m ready to quit. The finish line is usually invisible until you’ve already crossed it.

“A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence.” — Jim Watkins

Focus on managing your energy so you can maintain your persistence.

“The only thing that overcomes hard luck is hard work.” — Harry Golden

Luck is fickle. Effort is something you can rely on every single morning.

“Don’t stop when you’re tired. Stop when you’re done.” — David Goggins

A more intense perspective for those who need a harder push to cross the finish line.

“Your mind will quit a thousand times before your body does. Keep going.” — Unknown

Acknowledge the mental noise, but keep your feet moving anyway. Your mind is just trying to protect you from discomfort.

Finding the words to keep moving forward is a practice, not a one-time event. I’ve found that the more I immerse myself in the wisdom of those who have struggled before me, the more my own challenges start to look like solvable puzzles rather than insurmountable walls.

The journey you’re on right now matters. Whether you’re building a business, healing a relationship, or just trying to get through a difficult week, your persistence is the most valuable thing you own. Don’t let temporary exhaustion or fleeting doubts talk you out of your long-term goals.

Take a breath. Maybe take a nap. But then, when you’re ready, take that next step. We’re all rooting for you.