20 Powerful Quotes to Keep You Going When You Want to Quit

We’ve all been there. You’re staring at your screen, exhausted from the daily grind, or you’ve just hit another massive roadblock in your personal goals. The burnout is real, the finish line feels miles away, and throwing in the towel looks like the most appealing option in the world.

But before you walk away, take a deep breath.

Finding the right quotes to keep you going when you want to quit can be the exact lifeline you need to shift your mindset. Words of wisdom from those who have faced impossible odds remind us that perseverance is the bridge between failure and success.

Whether you need a quick Instagram caption to document your hustle, a mantra for your morning workout, or a deep reminder to stay the course, we've gathered the best sayings to fuel your fire.

Here are 20 hand-picked, inspiring quotes to help you push through tough times and never give up.

Short & Punchy "Don't Quit" Quotes

Perfect for sticky notes on your mirror, daily affirmations, or short social media captions.

Sometimes, you don't need a long lecture. You just need a quick, sharp reminder to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

1. "It always seems impossible until it's done." – Nelson Mandela

2. "Fall seven times, stand up eight." – Japanese Proverb

3. "Don't stop until you're proud." – Unknown

4. "If you're going through hell, keep going." – Winston Churchill

5. "Tough times never last, but tough people do." – Robert H. Schuller

6. "Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever." – Unknown

7. "It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop." – Confucius

Deep Quotes About Pushing Through Tough Times

Ideal for moments of deep reflection, journaling, or offering emotional support to a struggling friend.

When the challenges feel overwhelmingly heavy, these resilience quotes remind us that the struggle is actually shaping our character.

8. "When you feel like quitting, remember why you started." – Unknown

9. "The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something." – Randy Pausch

10. "Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." – Confucius

11. "You simply have to put one foot in front of the other and keep going. Put blinders on and plow right ahead." – George Lucas

12. "You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it." – Maya Angelou

13. "Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tries." – James A. Michener

14. "Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all." – Dale Carnegie

Inspirational Sayings for Career & Goal Chasers

Use these words of wisdom to power through study sessions, late nights at the office, or building your side hustle.

Success rarely comes on the first try. If you are doubting your career path or business goals, these famous sayings on perseverance will get you back on track.

15. "Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." – Thomas Edison

16. "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." – Winston Churchill

17. "I'm not telling you it's going to be easy—I'm telling you it's going to be worth it." – Art Williams

18. "The only guarantee for failure is to stop trying." – John C. Maxwell

19. "Perseverance is failing 19 times and succeeding the 20th." – Julie Andrews

20. "Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow.'" – Mary Anne Radmacher

Final Thoughts: Don't Give Up!

It’s completely normal to feel drained, but don't let a bad day convince you that you have a bad life—or that your goals aren't worth chasing. Bookmark this page on ShortQuote.net and return to these quotes to keep you going when you want to quit whenever you need a boost of motivation.

Did one of these quotes hit home for you today? Pin your favorite to your motivation board on Pinterest, or share it on your Instagram Story to inspire someone else who might be fighting a silent battle today!