As one who's studied more than his fair share of philosophy and poetry, I've come across many great quotes to live by and have written most of them down, filling many pages with meaningful words to help me live my life. I've always thought that finding a great quote to live by was like stumbling upon hidden treasure. Inspiration and meaning are sometimes difficult to come by, and finding encouragement and that spark of ambition through a great quote is essential at times. Nothing has the power to set a person on a new direction in life than finding a short, concise quote to live by that speaks to their heart and soul. I've managed to pair my list down to a total of five. I hope you enjoy them.

1) My all time favorite quote to live by is also the simplest one:

"He who has nothing to die for has nothing to live for."

Such a short but powerful statement. In life, it's not our cars and houses and money that we would die for, and yet we live for those things, forgetting that real life is something more than just the American dream, that life is about the relationships we all to often count as hindrances to our goals.

2) Next is an ancient Chinese proverb from the Tao Te Ching:

"He who overcomes others is strong. He who overcomes himself is mighty."

It has been my great ambition to overcome the areas in my life that keep me dragged down in the mud. The word mighty is such an interesting one. There really isn't another word like it. My ambition is to be mighty.

3) Next is a quote from Thoreau:

"When we are unhurried and wise we perceive that only great and worthy things have any absolute and permanent existence, that petty fears and petty pleasures are but the shadow of reality."

It's so easy to get caught up in the petty, commonplace things of life, never taking the time to sit and ponder what truly great and worthy things are out there to find.  But every so often, when I'm unhurried and wise in spirit, I remember again what things in life are really worth attaining, really worth fighting for.

4) The next quote to live by is another ancient Chinese proverb:

"Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare."

In life, I have often dreamed big dreams. But most have ended up as nothing more than daydreams, me not willing to pour the time and effort into making my dreams a reality.

5) And finally, an excerpt from a John Greenleaf Whittier poem:

"Of all sad words of tongue or pen,

The saddest are these 'It might have been!'"

This excerpt is what I remember whenever fear compells me not to take a risk. I remember that one day I'll look back on my life and wonder what things could have been done differently if only I had been more courageous.

I hope you liked the quotes! If you want to check out more, visit my personal blog:

Things I've Learned While Roaming the Earth