Words That Inspire: Journal Quotes to Elevate Your Writing

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Last Updated on February 14, 2025 by Nell Marie

Journaling holds a special place in my heart and I venture to guess it does for you, too. The pen to paper, the pouring out of the heart, the details, the art, and the words are all part of the special process of journaling.

However, one of the areas in which I need extra help is quotes. If you’re like me in that way, this article is here to help you!

I’ve gathered up 52 journal quotes that are steal-worthy and just for you!

In addition, I’ve included some great Bible verses that pair well with some of the quotes in this article.

So, grab your notes app and the best quotes for your journal, and let’s get going!

52 Steal-Worthy Journal Quotes

These 52 inspiring, encouraging, and uplifting quotes are just for you and your special journaling time meant to help you fill out your pages and customize your journal.

Feel free to copy and paste it into a notes app and use it in your journal.

Self-Discovery & Growth

“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” — Aristotle
“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” — Oscar Wilde
“Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together.” — James Cash Penney
“The only journey is the journey within.” — Rainer Maria Rilke
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
“A year from now, you may wish you had started today.” — Karen Lamb
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” — Theodore Roosevelt
“We do not learn from experience… we learn from reflecting on experience.” — John Dewey

Creativity & Writing

“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” — William Wordsworth
“Creativity takes courage.” — Henri Matisse
“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.” — Louis L’Amour
“The scariest moment is always just before you start.” — Stephen King
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” — Maya Angelou
“A writer is someone for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.” — Thomas Mann
“The desire to write grows with writing.” — Desiderius Erasmus
“A blank page is full of possibilities.” — Unknown

Mindfulness & Presence

“Be where you are, otherwise you will miss your life.” — Buddha
“Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.” — Dalai Lama
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” — Anne Lamott
“Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.” — Oprah Winfrey
“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” — Buddha
“The quieter you become, the more you are able to hear.” — Rumi
“Wherever you go, go with all your heart.” — Confucius
“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” — Aesop

Gratitude & Positivity

“Wear gratitude like a cloak, and it will feed every corner of your life.” — Rumi
“Joy is not in things; it is in us.” — Richard Wagner
“The more grateful I am, the more beauty I see.” — Mary Davis
“Happiness is letting go of what you think your life is supposed to look like.” — Unknown
“The secret of happiness is to count your blessings while others are adding up their troubles.” — William Penn
“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues but the parent of all others.” — Cicero
“Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day.” — Alice Morse Earle
“It’s not happiness that brings gratitude, it’s gratitude that brings happiness.” — Unknown

Courage & Strength

“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.” — Brené Brown
“Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” — C.S. Lewis
“She stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails.” — Elizabeth Edwards
“You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.” — Margaret Thatcher
“Be strong. You never know who you are inspiring.” — Unknown
“Sometimes you don’t realize your own strength until you come face to face with your greatest weakness.” — Susan Gale
“Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.” — Suzy Kassem
“You are stronger than you think.” — Unknown

Dreams & Goals

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” — Henry David Thoreau
“Dream big and dare to fail.” — Norman Vaughan
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” — Theodore Roosevelt
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” — Nelson Mandela
“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” — William James
“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
“Everything you can imagine is real.” — Pablo Picasso
“What would you do if you weren’t afraid?” — Sheryl Sandberg

Self-Love & Acceptance

“You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” — Buddha
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
“Be a voice, not an echo.” — Albert Einstein
“How you love yourself is how you teach others to love you.” — Rupi Kaur

24 Inspiring Bible Verses

If you like to use scripture in your journaling, the verses below will inspire and encourage you and fit perfectly into your journal.

Faith & Trust in God

Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Hebrews 11:1 – “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
Isaiah 41:10 – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Matthew 17:20 – “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Strength & Encouragement

Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 – “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
Psalm 46:1 – “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
Deuteronomy 31:6 – “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Peace & Rest

Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Psalm 23:1-2 – “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.”
Philippians 4:6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Isaiah 26:3 – “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

Gratitude & Joy

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Psalm 118:24 – “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Colossians 3:17 – “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
James 1:2-3 – “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
Psalm 100:4 – “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”

God’s Love & Guidance

Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Romans 8:38-39 – “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
Lamentations 3:22-23 – “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Journaling is such a great way to reflect, find inspiration, and express your thoughts—and adding meaningful quotes and Bible verses can make it even more powerful.

Whether you’re looking for motivation, encouragement, or a reminder of your faith, these words can help fill your journal with wisdom and positivity.

Let them spark creativity, provide comfort, and guide you as you write.

No matter what you’re journaling about, these quotes and scriptures can add depth, inspiration, and a personal touch to your pages.

So grab your journal, let the words flow, and make it a space that truly speaks to your heart!

Words That Inspire: Journal Quotes to Elevate Your Writing