Need a little boost of inspiration? Sometimes, all it takes is a few well-chosen words to lift our spirits and remind us of what’s truly important.
That’s the beauty of these 35 quotes from some of the most beloved books ever.
Get ready to be inspired and motivated, and maybe even find a new mantra to live by.
Let’s get started:
- “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” – Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
Have you ever had that feeling where the whole world seems to be nudging you toward your dreams? Coelho nails it in The Alchemist – when you’re truly passionate about something, it’s like the universe itself is rooting for you.
- “I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.” – Louisa May Alcott, Little Women
Like Jo March in Little Women, we all face storms in life. But hey, that’s just part of the journey, right? Alcott reminds us that it’s not about avoiding the rough waters but about learning to steer our ship through them with confidence and grace.
- “There is some good in this world, and it’s worth fighting for.” – J.R.R. Tolkien, The Two Towers
Even amid Mordor’s darkness, Tolkien reminds us there’s always a glimmer of light worth fighting for. It’s a battle cry for hope, a reminder to never give up on our beliefs, no matter how bleak things may seem.
- “We must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy.” – J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Dumbledore, ever the wise Wizard, points out that life often throws us curveballs where the easy choice isn’t always right.
This quote easily ranks among the best quotes from books, serving as a timeless reminder that doing what’s right, not what’s convenient, is what truly matters.
- “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince
The Little Prince reminds us that sometimes, the most important things in life can’t be seen with our eyes. It’s about the love we feel, the connections we make, and the little moments that touch our hearts – these are the things that truly matter.
- “Everything nourishes what is strong already.” – Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
Austen, the keen observer of human nature, hits the nail on the head in Pride and Prejudice. It’s a gentle nudge to play to our strengths, to water the seeds of our talents and watch them blossom.
After all, why focus on fixing what’s not broken when you can cultivate what’s already thriving?
- “And, now that you don’t have to be perfect you can be good.” – John Steinbeck, East of Eden
Steinbeck’s words are a breath of fresh air for perfectionists everywhere. Let go of the pressure to be flawless, and embrace the beauty of being perfectly imperfect.
- “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.” – J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
Time is a precious gift, and Tolkien reminds us that we can choose how we spend it. Make it count!
- “There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy and the tired.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
Fitzgerald’s observation from The Great Gatsby paints a picture of the hustle and bustle of life. Essentially, amid the chaos, remember to breathe and find moments of peace.
- “Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.” – Victor Hugo, Les Misérables
Victor Hugo shines a light even in the bleakest moments of Les Misérables. No matter how dark things get, there’s always a sunrise waiting. This is one of those genuinely inspirational book quotes that gives you a reason to keep going, even when it feels impossible.
- “The same question arose in every soul: ‘For what, for whom, must I kill and be killed?’” – Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace
In War and Peace, Tolstoy’s profound question forces us to confront the harsh realities of conflict and question the motives behind violence, making it one of the most deep and powerful book quotes in literature.
- “It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.” – J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Dumbledore has a point in the first book when he says it’s important to stay aware of our dreams. We need to appreciate what’s happening around us right now, too. Life’s too short to miss out on the present.
- “It’s not about what it is, it’s about what it can become.” – Dr. Seuss, The Lorax
Dr. Seuss subtly encourages us to look beyond the surface and appreciate the potential in everything. It’s a reminder that true value lies not in what something is but in what it could become.
- “You have plenty of courage, I am sure,” answered Oz. “All you need is confidence in yourself. There is no living thing that is not afraid when it faces danger. The true courage is facing danger when you are afraid, and that kind of courage you have in plenty.” – L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
The Wizard, in his wisdom, teaches Dorothy a valuable lesson: true courage isn’t the absence of fear but the ability to face danger even when you’re afraid. This comforting reminder that everyone feels fear and that overcoming it is what makes us truly brave.
- “If you don’t imagine, nothing ever happens at all.” – John Green, Paper Towns
John Green, in Paper Towns, captures the transformative power of imagination. It’s the catalyst for change, the driving force behind innovation and creativity. Without it, the world would be stuck, lacking the spark that brings about progress and new possibilities.
- “It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.” – Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
In The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho beautifully articulates the allure of dreams: it’s not just the destination but the journey itself, the possibility of turning a dream into reality, that makes life worth living.
- “[Courage is] when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.” – Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch delivers one of the most famous literary quotes, defining true courage as the unwavering resolve to persevere even when facing overwhelming odds.
- “Hoping for the best, prepared for the worst, and unsurprised by anything in between.” – Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Maya Angelou’s words in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings promote a resilient approach to life: embrace optimism, anticipate challenges, and accept the unpredictable nature of the journey.
- “The skillful soldier does not raise a second levy, neither are his supply-wagons loaded more than twice.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War
Sun Tzu really knew what he was talking about when he penned The Art of War. Here, he’s giving us a lesson in being smart with our resources, stressing that good planning and efficient use of supplies can make all the difference.
- “At first people refuse to believe that a strange new thing can be done, then they begin to hope it can be done, then they see it can be done–then it is done and all the world wonders why it was not done centuries ago.” – Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden
This quote from The Secret Garden beautifully captures the arc of innovation and progress. It speaks to the initial resistance to change, followed by hope, realization, and, ultimately, acceptance.
- “You’ll miss the best things if you keep your eyes shut.” – Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!
Dr. Seuss delivers a simple yet profound message: staying open to new experiences and opportunities is crucial. Keeping our eyes shut metaphorically closes us off from the wonders the world has to offer.
- “Nothing that’s worthwhile is ever easy.” – Nicholas Sparks, Message in a Bottle
Nicholas Sparks’s Message in a Bottle encapsulates the bittersweet truth that the most valuable things in life often require effort, sacrifice, and perseverance. It reminds us that the journey towards our goals is rarely easy, but the rewards are worth the struggle.
- “What’s the point of having a voice if you’re gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn’t be?” – Angie Thomas, The Hate U Give
This powerful line from The Hate U Give urges us to speak up when it matters most, reminding us of the impact we can have when we use our voices to fight against injustice and push for positive change.
- “You are your best thing.” – Toni Morrison, Beloved
Toni Morrison captures something special in Beloved with these words. It’s a powerful statement about self-worth and self-love, telling us we are inherently valuable and deserving of love and respect.
- “Know your own happiness. You want nothing but patience– or give it a more fascinating name, call it hope.” – Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility
In Sense and Sensibility, Austen encourages us to cultivate patience and hope, recognizing that these qualities are essential for navigating life’s ups and downs.
Bonus: Have you ever heard of Stuff Your Kindle Day? You might be able to get some of these books for free!
- “If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and know Earth, you may make your victory complete.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War
Here’s some wisdom from Sun Tzu in The Art of War – knowing your enemies and yourself is the secret to never doubting your victories. And if you get to know your environment as well, you’re on your way to sealing those wins.
- “The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it.” – J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan
From Peter Pan, J.M. Barrie teaches us about the importance of belief. The second you let doubt creep in, you lose the ability to soar. It’s a vivid reminder to keep faith in ourselves and our capabilities.
- “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” – Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go!
This line from Dr. Seuss is a cheerful nudge that we’re fully equipped to navigate our own paths. Who better than Dr. Seuss to remind us that we’re in charge of our own adventures?
- “But remember that forgiveness too is a power. To beg for it is a power, and to withhold or bestow it is a power, perhaps the greatest.” – Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid’s Tale
Margaret Atwood sheds light on forgiveness in The Handmaid’s Tale, framing it as an act of mercy and a potent tool. She makes us think about how giving, receiving, or even denying forgiveness can be powerful moves in the game of life.
- “The world you desire can be won. It exists.. it is real… it is possible… it’s yours.” – Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged
Rand’s quote from Atlas Shrugged is a rallying cry for ambition and self-belief. It encourages us to pursue our dreams with unwavering conviction, reminding us that our desired world is within our reach.
- “You is kind. You is smart. You is important.” – Kathryn Stockett, The Help
In The Help, Aibileen’s affirmation really hits home. Her deep, powerful book quote is more than a line – it’s a mirror showing us the importance of recognizing and valuing our worth and the unique traits that make us who we are.
- “Life is to be lived, not controlled; and humanity is won by continuing to play in face of certain defeat.” – Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man
Ralph Ellison taps into something special in Invisible Man. He tells us that life isn’t something to be micromanaged but experienced, and it’s in pushing through tough times that we truly grasp what it means to be human.
- “If we wait until we’re ready, we’ll be waiting for the rest of our lives.” – Lemony Snicket, The Ersatz Elevator
Snicket’s humorous yet insightful observation reminds us there’s no perfect time to pursue our dreams. Sometimes, we must take a leap of faith and embrace the unknown.
- “Present fears / Are less than horrible imaginings.” – William Shakespeare, Macbeth
In Macbeth, Shakespeare offers a nugget of wisdom about fear. He suggests that the things we dread now are seldom as bad as what we conjure up in our minds, helping us put our anxieties into perspective.
- “Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it yet.” – L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables has this refreshing way of looking at life. She sees each day as a brand new start, a blank canvas without any mistakes.
It’s a hopeful perspective that encourages us to shake off yesterday’s troubles and look forward to what we can create anew.
Finding Inspiration in the Best Book Quotes
So there you have it – a collection of some of the most powerful and thought-provoking quotes from literature.
Whether you’re looking for motivation, a reminder of life’s simple truths, or just a touch of literary magic, these famous book quotes will inspire and uplift you.
If you’re looking for even more inspiration, check out our article on the top 10 inspirational books to add to your reading list.
