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35 Empowering Strength Quotes That Will Give You Courage and Confidence

Updated: Jan. 09, 2024

Sometimes all it takes is a little inspiration to bring out that inner strength.

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Persevere with positive strength quotes

Life can be really hard sometimes, but hey, we’re all in this together. Sometimes it can be a challenge to find the motivation to channel our inner strength in order to persevere through the difficult times. But like I said, we’re all in this together, including some figures who seem to have it all. Even some of the most notable figures throughout history and media have faced similar struggles. We rounded up some positive strength quotes from all kinds of powerful people, from Nelson Mandela to Maya Angelou and Hellen Keller. May their wise words inspire you to keep pushing forward. And if you’re looking for even more inspiration, take a peek at these hope quotes, uplifting quotes, moving on quotes, and quotes about change.

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Nelson Mandela Strength Quote
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1. “Do not judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” —Nelson Mandela. These be yourself quotes will inspire you to not allow anyone to dictate who you are—the first step in finding that strength.

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Martin Luther King Jr Strength Quote
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2. “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. Here are some more iconic MLK quotes that have stood the test of time.

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Veronica Roth Strength Quote
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3. “A brave man acknowledges the strength of others.” —Veronica Roth. Check out these life is short quotes that will prove that change starts now.

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Kavita Ramdas Strength Quote
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4. “We need women who are so strong they can be gentle, so educated they can be humble, so fierce they can be compassionate, so passionate they can be rational, and so disciplined they can be free.” —Kavita Ramdas. Read up on these confidence quotes that will make you believe you can do anything.

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Khalil Gibran Strength Quote
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5. “Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” —Khalil Gibran. Don’t miss these good morning quotes that will kick off your day on a high note.

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Anibal Barca Strength Quote
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6. “We will either find a way, or make one.” —Anibal Barca. These loneliness quotes will make you feel seen.

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Nietzsche Strength Quote
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7. “That which does not kill us makes us stronger.” —Friedrich Nietzsche. These brilliant Albert Einstein quotes will inspire you to greatness.

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Paulo Coelho Strength Quote
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8. “And one has to understand that braveness is not the absence of fear but rather the strength to keep on going forward despite the fear.” —Paulo Coelho.

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

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Mark Nepo Strength Quote
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10. “We are stronger, gentler, more resilient, and more beautiful than any of us imagine.” —Mark Nepo. Check out these self-love quotes that will make you feel like a million bucks.

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

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Mahatma Gandhi Strength Quote
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12. “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” —Mahatma Gandhi

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Marie Curie Strength Quote
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13. “Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and, above all, confidence in ourselves. We must believe we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.” —Marie Curie. Don’t miss these Monday motivation quotes that will start your week right.

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Toni Morrison Strength Quote
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14. “If you surrendered to the air, you could ride it.” —Toni Morrison

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Peter Marshall Strength Quote
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15. “When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.” —Peter Marshall

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Demi Lovato Strength Quote
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16. “Nothing is more beautiful than the smile that has struggled through the tears.” —Demi Lovato

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Jane Austen Strength Quote
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17. “There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.” —Jane Austen. Read up on these powerful James Baldwin quotes on love, freedom, and equality.

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

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Thomas Edison Strength Quote
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19. “When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this: you haven’t.” —Thomas A. Edison

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Eleanor Roosevelt Strength Quote
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20. “We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it is not as dreadful as it appeared, discovering we have the strength to stare it down.” —Eleanor Roosevelt. Don’t miss these patience quotes that will remind you that all good things take time.

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

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Isabel Allende Strength Quote
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22. “We don’t even know how strong we are until we are forced to bring that hidden strength forward.” —Isabel Allende. Make sure you check out these body positive quotes that everyone should read.

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Lao Tzu Strength Quote
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23. “Mastering others is strength, mastering yourself is true power.” —Lao Tzu

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Edmund Hillary Strength Quote
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24. “It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.” —Edmund Hillary

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Christopher Reeve Strength Quote
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25. “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” —Christopher Reeve 

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Vincent Van Gogh Strength Quote
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26. “It is good to love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is well done.” —Vincent Van Gogh. Here are some more great romantic love quotes.

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Drew Barrymore Strength Quote
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27.Life is very interesting…in the end, some of your greatest pains become your greatest strengths.” —Drew Barrymore. You will want to share these success quotes with everyone you know.

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Audrey Hepburn Strength Quote
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28. “I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.” —Audrey Hepburn

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Oprah Winfrey Strength Quote
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29. Where there is no struggle, there is no strength.” —Oprah Winfrey

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Helen Keller Strength Quote
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30. Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” —Hellen Keller

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William Ellery Channing Strength Quote
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31. “Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict.” —William Ellery Channing

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Arnold Schwarzenegger Strength Quote
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32. “Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.” —Arnold Schwarzenegger

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Ernest Hemingway Strength Quote
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33. “The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.” —Ernest Hemingway

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Criss Jami Strength Quote
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34. “The harder you fall, the heavier your heart; the heavier your heart, the stronger you climb; the stronger you climb, the higher your pedestal.” —Criss Jami

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Joel Osteen Strength Quote
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35. “Make up your mind that no matter what comes your way, no matter how difficult, no matter how unfair, you will do more than simply survive. You will thrive in spite of it.” —Joel Osteen. Now that you’ve read these positive strength quotes, check out these calm quotes that will remind you to take a deep breath.