Inspirational Quotes to Jump-Start The School Year

By Vincent Amoroso

 

Life has you down? Work stinks, your professors are overloading you with work, and it looks like your roommate is starting a science experiment on their side of room: so what should you do? Go find yourself an inspirational quote. Okay…go grab a cup of coffee, and then find yourself a quote (even the finest turn-of-phrase has its betters).

 

It may not seem like it, but quotes do have some importance, for if not, no one would have bothered to remember any of them, much less write them down for posterity. They are particularly helpful when seeking something difficult to define—inspiration.

 

But never fear, cause like love, just because we cannot easily define it, doesn’t mean we give-up trying to find it, or succeed in doing so. The list of ten quotes I’ve prepared is by no means the be-all-and-end-all of inspirational quotes. There are plenty more out there, and with the internet, quotes are just a simple click away.

 

You don’t have to take my word for it, according to a Pew Research survey in December 2004, over three-quarters of artists and musicians (77%) use the internet to find inspiration for their work. So if you plan on reading an article about inspirational quotes you are in good company.

 

Inspirational quotes need not always come from famous people either. Back in the day my father was well-known in my family for coining a phrase or two. One of my favorites was: You can’t make chicken soup out of chicken shh…well you get the idea.

 

Still not convinced? Before you smack down some hard-earned cash on the latest motivational seminar, listen up! I came up with four ideas on what an inspirational quote should provide, and you can apply them to quotes or quote-makers of your own choosing. Let’s face it it’s not like real homework.

 

Be uplifting: Giving use added strength and motivation when life and tasks become overwhelming.

 

Be encouraging: Provoking thought, creativity, and a path to success.

 

Be proven: Having the success of the individual saying it to back it up.

 

Be relatable: Having truth, meaning, and application to our lives and endeavors.

 

And what better way to start a list of inspirational quotes, then with a quote? Don’t worry. I see the fear in your eye. This is not one of the ten. I promise. It’s a bonus one I’m tossing in just for you…well, all of you, because I’m that kind of guy. So in the words of Ronald Reagan, Life is one grand, sweet song, so start the music.

 

1. Don’t worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition. – Abraham Lincoln

 

Raised on the frontier and mostly self-educated, Abraham Lincoln became a lawyer and the 16^th president of the United States. Until then he knew what it was like to achieve without the benefit of recognition. In our lives and endeavors we are often not recognized for the work we do or the accomplishments we obtain. Yet we must always remember not receiving the recognition we may deserve, is no excuse for not putting forth our best in everything we do.

 

 

2. The mode by which the inevitable comes to pass is effort. – Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.

 

Certainly a man of many talents, Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. was a poet, professor, author, and physician. A man of so much achievement knew a thing or two about the benefits of hard work, and this inspirational quote reminds us there is a reward for putting forth a maximum effort, even if it is not immediately foreseeable.

 

3. You must do the things you think you cannot do. – Eleanor Roosevelt

 

The first lady to Franklin D. Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt will forever be known as a humanitarian to the world, receiving a level of regard few women were able to obtain before or since. This quote reminds how we must face challenges head-on and excel beyond our own expectations, and the expectations of others.

 

4. Whatever satisfies the soul is the truth. – Walt Whitman

 

Whitman was 19^th century poet, essayist and journalist best known as the father of the free verse form of poetry. His most famous work was entitled Leaves of Grass. This quote is indicative of Whitman himself who was not afraid to follow his heart and seek out new ground.

 

5. Those who dare to fail miserably can achieve greatly. – John F. Kennedy

 

Fear of failure is a common enemy to accepting personal challenges and the pursuit of personal endeavors. According to former President Kennedy, known for standing against the status quo, it is overcoming this fear, which often creates defining moments in our lives.

 

6. This is Sunday, and the question arises, what’ll I start tomorrow? – Kurt Vonnegut

 

Strive to move forward in all aspects of life. Kurt Vonnegut, whose writing career spanned over fifty years, knew the only way to get something completed, was to actually start it. This quote should remind us the time to move onward is now.

 

7. Whenever you do a thing, act as if all the world were watching. – Thomas Jefferson

 

This quote speaks about character and self-discipline, two acumen America’s third president and founding father majored in. When thrust into the collegiate realm, often the level of guidance we received in high school diminishes. Surging towards adulthood means completing tasks and engaging in actions without supervision, but this fact should not diminish the quality of what we do.

 

8. Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye. – Helen Keller

 

Truly a remarkable woman, Helen Keller was an author and political activist who excelled without the benefit of sight and hearing. Keller reminds us there is always a way to strive for life and success through adversity.

 

9. I look three to five years ahead, not 10 years behind. – Magic Johnson

 

Thinking about the future is never a bad thing. Magic Johnson, likely one of the greatest NBA stars who ever played shows us in many ways, it is not always as important where we are from, but where we are going.

 

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

 

Raised from a humble background in the South Bronx of New York City, Colin Powell went on to become a four-star general in the U.S. Army and Secretary of State. From such a starting point, it might have been easier for Powell to find many reasons why he might not succeed. Instead, he found within himself, as many ways as possible to achieve his goals.

 

The wonderful thing about inspiration is how we can shape it around who we are, and make it adapt to our own life and sensibilities. You may have other figures you find inspirational and encouraging, which is fine. Coming up with quotes that suit your world and your expectations can be as eclectic as you choose, and if you are a quote-a–saurus like me, the range is vast.

 

But relax. No one is suggesting you give up praising the java-gods or finding some alternative means of inspiration, but words from exceptional men and women have a habit of lighting a fire underneath our butts we might not have normally found. And if all else fails, spouting off a great quote just might impress a few of your friends at a party.