If I had to pick a favorite thing to get inspired by, it would have to be quotes—motivational quotes, personal growth quotes, and words that spark self-improvement. Someone might organically say an inspiring line in a mundane conversation, and it sparks something great inside of you. Pinterest has an array of quotes presented in visually creative ways, and lately, that’s where I’ve been finding my best ones. Another place to find meaningful quotes is in books. Books are a source for timeless wisdom that can stay relevant no matter what era we’re living in.

From one human to another, it is refreshing to hear words put together so eloquently that they reassure us that someone else in this crazy world understands what we sometimes can’t bring to words. It’s amazing that a stranger we have never interacted with can say one line that resonates with our entire being and sparks something inside of us that aids us on our journey. Each time this happens, we should be reminded that we are all connected in the grand scheme of things—and nothing is ever by chance.

Here are five quotes I found in the book Thoughts On The Business Of Life. The editors of FORBES magazine gathered 520 thoughts from authors, philanthropists, educators, and military leaders. This edition of the book is from 1992; however, the quotes are still extremely relevant to today’s world. It would seem as though the same issues still need to be resolved within humanity, just in a more modern time. No matter what materialistic items are created to distract us, they are merely that—a distraction and not a solution.

1. “Indulge yourself in pleasures only in so far as they are necessary for the preservation of health.” – Spinoza

There are so many pleasures in the world that are subtly placed in front of us to indulge in—our phones, food, and addictive habits like gambling or shopping. The danger is that we’re warned after it becomes a problem, not before. Have you ever seen a gambling commercial and they rush through the “if you have an addiction, call this number” part at the end? That always felt strange to me—why offer something so harmful, then pretend you’re concerned once it goes too far? This quote reminds me that pleasure isn’t the enemy—lack of control is. Only partake in things that have a positive impact on you, because always remember: your health is your wealth.

2. “We must drop the idea that change comes slowly…” – Donald M. Nelson

My interpretation of this quote is simple: if you are asking for change, you must be able to adapt—quickly. Most people’s issue is that they are comfortable with the routine they have established, even if that routine is hurting them. When you veer off the path that you’ve always known, it can feel scary because you don’t know what to expect. But the last sentence of this quote stood out the most: we must stop assuming that something new cannot be done just because it hasn’t been done before. In 2025, we have countless examples proving that new ideas can become reality. There may be resistance at first, but once people understand, what was once “impossible” becomes normal.

3. “Education is the process by which the individual relates himself to the universe…” – Dr. John H. Finley

Learning and curiosity are things every human needs to have in their life. Without them, life becomes meaningless. Part of human nature is constantly challenging our minds and seeking answers. If we stop using one of the greatest tools inside of us, we will lose it—and I don’t think the outcome of that will ever be a good experience. Education doesn’t always mean school. It also means growth, awareness, and constantly expanding your mind so that you can contribute something meaningful to the world around you.

4. “It is amazing what ordinary people can do if they set out without preconceived notions.” – Charles F. Kettering

Preconceived notions are basically judgments. I think judgment has become a knee-jerk reaction in today’s society because we’re overexposed to information that should be private. In some situations, opinions matter, but in most cases, they don’t. You could decide not to try a restaurant because of one bad review, but what you didn’t see is that the restaurant was short-staffed that night and the service wasn’t normal. Another night could be top-tier. We should all try to remove judgment as our first reaction when presented with new situations because you never know what kind of experience you’ll have if you go see for yourself.

5. “Without this human touch, hope has little on which to feed or thrive.” – George Matthew Adams

We saved the best quote for last. I’ve been drawn to the idea of living in a city for reasons I didn’t fully understand until now. Growing up in the suburbs, I always felt disconnected from people. Unless you have friendly neighbors, the odds of forming genuine connection are slim. We are separated by cars, jobs, different schedules, and traffic. The city draws me in because there are humans everywhere—moving with purpose. The chances of connection are higher because people are actually out living. And if you love people watching like I do, you can easily become inspired just by observing. There is so much action in a city that inspiration becomes unavoidable.

We hope these quotes inspire reflection and spark action as you navigate your journey. We can all learn something from the past because the same wisdom still applies to modern times. And if you prefer to stay focused on the present, you can still find good advice—only if you take the time to listen and interact with other people on their journeys.