Motivational & Inspirational Quotes: Why We Love Them
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it". These words from George Santayana go a long way toward explaining the popularity of motivational quotes.
Why do we like motivational and inspirational quotes?
WISDOM OF THE AGES
Quotes survive the test of time because they hold up under various conditions. If they didn't represent something durable and signficant, they would simply have died out over time. Sometimes they are spoken by famous people, while other times we may have no knowledge of the history of the person who said them. And some quotes have no traceable source. But, they pass the test of time.
THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE
Even though all of us have had many experiences in our lives, we can't all be described as "experienced". Whether from the past or from recent times, most quotes come from the mouths of those who are considered to have accomplished something signficant in their lives. Sometimes they're rich...sometimes they're famous...sometimes they are well-known because they've endured some hellish trial in their lives with grace. We're always curious "what goes through the minds" of those people...and the things they said at the time or in retrospect can reveal much to us.
A LOOK THROUGH THE EYES OF OTHERS
When we're discouraged or going through a particularly tough time, it's very difficult to step outside our situation and take an objective look at what's going on. And yet, there are very few things in life that are completely unique...that someone else hasn't gone through before. The perspective of someone who has gone though a similar situation and learned some lessons can simply be invaluable to us, both to lift the spirit and to give us a reason to press on.
TRUTH IS TIMELESS
Styles will always change. Technology will always change. Personal preferences will always change. But humans don't really change that much. We're probably very similar to people two or three thousand years ago. And the things that were true back then are largely true today. As we mature and leave behind childishness, most of us find that we're drawn to those same timeless truths that elevate the human spirit.
COMPACT AND PORTABLE
Most motivational and inspirational quotes are just one to three sentences. Most are easily committed to memory. They don't require the lugging around of a big book. They can easily be taped to the bathroom mirror. They can fit into an email signature. Some can fit on a bumper sticker. This makes them easy to spring to mind, or to share with others.
In a world obsessed with youth, possessions, sexuality and other priorities which so easily slip through our fingers, just remember:
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart." (Helen Keller)
Visit ChoiceQuotations.com for other hand-selected inspirational quotes.
Why do we like motivational and inspirational quotes?
WISDOM OF THE AGES
Quotes survive the test of time because they hold up under various conditions. If they didn't represent something durable and signficant, they would simply have died out over time. Sometimes they are spoken by famous people, while other times we may have no knowledge of the history of the person who said them. And some quotes have no traceable source. But, they pass the test of time.
THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE
Even though all of us have had many experiences in our lives, we can't all be described as "experienced". Whether from the past or from recent times, most quotes come from the mouths of those who are considered to have accomplished something signficant in their lives. Sometimes they're rich...sometimes they're famous...sometimes they are well-known because they've endured some hellish trial in their lives with grace. We're always curious "what goes through the minds" of those people...and the things they said at the time or in retrospect can reveal much to us.
A LOOK THROUGH THE EYES OF OTHERS
When we're discouraged or going through a particularly tough time, it's very difficult to step outside our situation and take an objective look at what's going on. And yet, there are very few things in life that are completely unique...that someone else hasn't gone through before. The perspective of someone who has gone though a similar situation and learned some lessons can simply be invaluable to us, both to lift the spirit and to give us a reason to press on.
TRUTH IS TIMELESS
Styles will always change. Technology will always change. Personal preferences will always change. But humans don't really change that much. We're probably very similar to people two or three thousand years ago. And the things that were true back then are largely true today. As we mature and leave behind childishness, most of us find that we're drawn to those same timeless truths that elevate the human spirit.
COMPACT AND PORTABLE
Most motivational and inspirational quotes are just one to three sentences. Most are easily committed to memory. They don't require the lugging around of a big book. They can easily be taped to the bathroom mirror. They can fit into an email signature. Some can fit on a bumper sticker. This makes them easy to spring to mind, or to share with others.
In a world obsessed with youth, possessions, sexuality and other priorities which so easily slip through our fingers, just remember:
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart." (Helen Keller)
Visit ChoiceQuotations.com for other hand-selected inspirational quotes.
Tags: inspirational quotes
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