16 Thought-Provoking Quotes That Will Change How You Live

Quotes have the power to stay with us and influence our lives in profound ways. Whether by a famous individual or someone close, quotes impact how we view the world.

Don’t believe everything you think.

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Don’t believe everything you think. – anonymous

This quote encourages us to think critically about our thoughts and beliefs. We often hold assumptions and judgments about a situation that may not be accurate or helpful.

Don’t believe everything you think.

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It reminds us to check in with ourselves and ensure that what we believe is true, not just a result of our confirmation bias. It also encourages us to be open to new perspectives and ideas.

Use what talents you possess— the woods will be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.

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Use what talents you possess— the woods will be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best. – Henry Van Dyke

This quote reminds us that we all have unique gifts and talents, even if they may not be the most obvious or prominent.

Use what talents you possess— the woods will be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.

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It encourages us to embrace our uniqueness and that it can be just as valuable as those who excel in certain areas.

The woods, after all, would be a quiet place if only birds with the best singing voices were there.

You might be the sweetest peach on the tree, but some people just don’t like peaches.

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You might be the sweetest peach on the tree, but some people just don’t like peaches. – anonymous

This reminds us not to take things personally and to accept that some people may not like us or our ideas no matter what.

You might be the sweetest peach on the tree, but some people just don’t like peaches.

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We cannot change how others think or feel, but we can control how we react to them.

We should focus on ourselves and our actions rather than giving too much attention to the opinions of others.

It’s easy to fool someone, and it’s hard to convince them they’ve been fooled.

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It’s easy to fool someone, and it’s hard to convince them they’ve been fooled. – anonymous

This quote tells us that it is much easier to deceive someone than to make them believe they were fooled.

It’s easy to fool someone, and it’s hard to convince them they’ve been fooled.

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The ego tells us that we are always right and can stop us from seeing the truth.

We should be conscious of this and make a concerted effort to stay critical and vigilant.

Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes it is a quiet voice at the end of the day, saying, I will try again tomorrow.

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Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes it is a quiet voice at the end of the day, saying, I will try again tomorrow. – Mary Anne Radmacher

This quote motivates and inspires us to keep going even when things get tough.

Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes it is a quiet voice at the end of the day, saying, I will try again tomorrow.

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It reminds us that true courage does not always manifest itself in loud or flashy ways, but sometimes, it is the quiet determination to keep trying even when it seems impossible.

Stay focused on your goals and never give up.

The axe forgets; the tree remembers.

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The axe forgets; the tree remembers. – Zimbabwean proverb

This serves as a reminder that our actions have good and bad consequences.

The axe forgets; the tree remembers.

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It teaches us always to be conscious of our decisions’ effects on others and consider the long-term implications of our choices.

It also encourages us to take responsibility for our actions and not forget the impact that we can have on other people.

A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.

ship at harbor

A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for. -John A. Shedd

This quote encourages us to take risks and venture out of our comfort zones to pursue growth and fulfillment.

A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.

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It reminds us that we should never be content with the status quo and that striving to reach our goals can often lead to great rewards.

It also serves as a reminder that sometimes, the best way to move forward is to take risks and embrace change.

The pain I feel now is the happiness I had before. That’s the deal.

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The pain I feel now is the happiness I had before. That’s the deal. – C.S. Lewis

This tells us that life is not always easy and that we will experience both good times and bad.

It teaches us to be grateful for the small moments of joy and remember that life is full of highs and lows.

The pain I feel now is the happiness I had before. That’s the deal.

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There can’t be pain without having previously been happy.

Take pleasure in the moments of happiness and to be resilient when faced with pain.

That mountain you’ve been carrying, you were only supposed to climb.

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That mountain you’ve been carrying, you were only supposed to climb. -Najwa Zebian

This quote encourages us to let go of our burdens and focus on what lies ahead.

That mountain you’ve been carrying, you were only supposed to climb.

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It reminds us that no matter how difficult life may seem, we have the ability and strength to overcome any obstacle.

Our challenges can be used as an opportunity to grow and develop our skills and resilience.

Graveyards are full of indispensable people.

graveyard

Graveyards are full of indispensable people. – Charles de Gaulle

This tells us to make the most of our lives and not take anything for granted. Everyone’s time on this earth is limited, and that we should live life to the fullest.

Graveyards are full of indispensable people.

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We don’t know how much time we have been given, so we must make the most of it by living with intention and purpose.

While there are many important people, anyone can be replaced. Don’t work yourself to death because your job needs you.

I’ve had a lot of worries in my life. Most of which never happened.

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I’ve had a lot of worries in my life. Most of which never happened. – Mark Twain

This quote encourages us to be more mindful of the worries and anxieties we experience.

I’ve had a lot of worries in my life. Most of which never happened.

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It reminds us that worrying about something doesn’t change the outcome and that, in many cases, the worry is often unfounded.

Focus on being more present and living in the moment rather than worrying about the future.

And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.

happy woman autumn

And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good. – John Steinbeck, East of Eden

This is a powerful reminder that it’s okay not to be perfect. We don’t need to strive for perfection, but instead, we should aim to be good, honest, and kind wherever we can.

And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.

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This quote helps us refocus our energy on the things that really matter in life, such as relationships and personal growth.

You don’t notice your progress in life because you are always raising the bar.

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You don’t notice your progress in life because you are always raising the bar. – Mia Hamm

This quote reminds us to celebrate and recognize our accomplishments, no matter how small they may seem.

You don’t notice your progress in life because you are always raising the bar.

man working on laptop

We often focus so much on our goals that we forget to appreciate the progress we are making.

Be proud of your achievements and recognize them for their importance.

The first draft is just you telling yourself the story.

telling stories

The first draft is just you telling yourself the story. – Terry Pratchett

This quote emphasizes the importance of taking risks and creating without allowing fear to dictate our actions.

The first draft is just you telling yourself the story.

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It encourages us to let go of perfectionism and focus on the creative process without worrying too much about the outcome.

Start somewhere and to use our creativity as our guide.

People don’t think about you as much as you imagine they do.

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People don’t think about you as much as you imagine they do. – anonymous.

This encourages us to let go of our insecurities and to focus on living authentically without worrying about what others may think of us.

People don’t think about you as much as you imagine they do.

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It helps us to remember that everyone is so busy with their own lives and that our thoughts about how we appear to others are often much more dramatic than reality.

Stay true to yourself and your own story.

Live in The Present Moment

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Live in The Present Moment – anonymous

One of the best tips of all is to live in the present and not worry about the past or the future.

“My therapist once told me that living in the future is anxiety, living in the past is depression. The only good way is to live in the present moment. Good luck,” one commenter on the Reddit forum shared.

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Life-Changing Quotes

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This collection of quotes helps us in times of trouble and may impart wisdom and knowledge that we really need to hear.

What is your favorite quote? Let us know in the comments.

This article What’s a Quote That Permanently Changed the Way You Look at Things? was produced and syndicated by TPR Teaching. These quotes were inspired by Reddit.

Caitriona Maria is an education writer and founder of TPR Teaching, crafting inspiring pieces that promote the importance of developing new skills. For 7 years, she has been committed to providing students with the best learning opportunities possible, both domestically and abroad. Dedicated to unlocking students' potential, Caitriona has taught English in several countries and continues to explore new cultures through her travels.

About the author
Caitriona Maria
Caitriona Maria is an education writer and founder of TPR Teaching, crafting inspiring pieces that promote the importance of developing new skills. For 7 years, she has been committed to providing students with the best learning opportunities possible, both domestically and abroad. Dedicated to unlocking students' potential, Caitriona has taught English in several countries and continues to explore new cultures through her travels.
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