Famous quotes
Quotes by famous people, credited to who said them. Your own quotes must not match any of these. More are added all the time. 1,158,808 quotes Who coined it · How we decide
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“In his flight in the year 1254, he could find refuge only at Luceria; where he was welcomed by the Saracens with transports of joy. Before the battle, Manfred sent ambassadors to effect a negotiation. Charles told them, "Go, tell the sultan of Nocera that I desire battle only, and that this very day I will either send him to hell, or he shall send me to Paradise.”
Manfred of Sicily (1232–1266) said by 1266 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: J. C. L. de Sismondi, Histoire des Républiques italiennes du Moyen Âge, vol. iii, pp. 153, 347; reported in Michelet, History of France (1882), vol. 1, p. 307
“We got to a location but people did not allow me to shoot because they saw Nkoli Nwa Nsukka. I never knew I had become that popular. In fact, I ran back inside the car and started crying, tears of joy.”
Rachael okonkwo (born 1987) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Let us come together in the spirit of unity, compassion, and gratitude, celebrating the bonds that connect us as a community. May this festive season bring us closer as neighbors, friends, and fellow citizens, enriching our lives with shared moments of joy and harmony.”
Ibrahim Ayokunle Isiaka (born 1966) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“What joy is breaking from her large dark eye— The vivid lightnings of a tropic sky! The rosy veil is archly drawn aside To show the glances she affects to hide. ’Tis all a modest maiden dare betray— The sudden sparkle of a meteor’s play.”
Thomas Skinner (British Army officer, died 1843) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It is a joy to now be able to say that Yoruba art is a language like renaissance art in Europe. That Sango, god of fire is comparable to the Greek god Zeus and so on. To be able to have conversations about Yoruba mythology and Yoruba art on the same platform as other art from cultures that are better known globally brings me great contentment.”
Laolu Senbanjo wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Our Lady said to Bridget: "To reach the heart of God there are two paths: the first is the humility of sincere contrition, which leads and introduces man into the heart of God and into spiritual conversations. The second is the consideration of the Passion of my Son, who overcomes the insensitivity of the human heart and makes it run with joy towards the heart of God ("Book VI, 101"). (p. 60)”
Bridget of Sweden (1303–1373) said by 1373 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“In the desert I met Truth. It spoke to my heart. "Go, save, convert". A heart beating full of love for Jesus. Understanding this, joy overwhelmed me.”
Maria Marino Marraffa (died 2023) said by 2023 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It will not be easy to bring the Gospel to the place where you are sent because of various difficulties, including language barriers. However, I ask you to love the people you meet with the love of the apostles. If you do your best to nurture mutual love, people will be moved to share their lives with you, and time will give you joy and gratitude.”
Timothy Yu Gyoung-chon (1962–2025) first seen 2019 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Cardinal Yeom to missionary priests: "Proclaim the Good News of God" (23 February 2019) Fides News Agency
“Through dance I have experienced the wordless joy of freedom”
Pearl Primus (1919–1994) said by 1994 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I feel drawn to commemorate my existence and the existence of the important women in my life—those who have brought me great joy and comfort and have played a significant role in my story. The women in my paintings—whether friends, family, or acquaintances—represent these people and moments, either realistically or symbolically.”
Sungi Mlengeya (born 1991) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I invited him [Makhabane]. It was like old days. We were doing what we did back in the day and it was exciting to see him- and to see him supporting me really brought joy.”
Hlengiwe Mhlaba (born 1973) first seen 2025 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Hlengiwe Mhlaba and Sipho Makhabane smoke peace pipe, March 25 2025
“Being an artist means being myself and using the gifts God has granted me to bring joy into the world. Being an artist is self expression, self love, self indulgence and selflessness at the same time. The vulnerability it takes to openly express yourself for the entire world to hear, love, hate, relate to, or critique is scary at times but that’s what being an artist is all about.”
Baby Tate (rapper) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It is hard to pinpoint. It comes from things happening around me. Daily life inspires me a lot. But then again; there are some constants that I need … I hold on to the mediums I am using. Carving wood. Using clay. And my cultural roots – the Ugandan visual culture – becomes a constant too. I base myself on my visual culture to express my anger, my satisfaction and my joy.”
Rose Kirumira (born 1962) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“A life void of joy is a sad life, and we are already burdened enough by the trials of daily life”
Soly Cisse (born 1969) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I travel the world gathering joy of living wherever I go”
Pascale Marthine Tayou (born 1966) first seen 2024 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: PASCALE MARTHINE TAYOU 11 April 2024
“When I wrote my stuff it wasn't about looking for attention. I wanted people to be affected by it. I wanted to give joy to people and to revitalise them.”
Toya Delazy (born 1990) first seen 2012 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: https://www.sowetan.co.za/entertainment/2012-12-31-toya-delazy-moving-up-up-and-up/?utm
“You have to let the great joy and beauty of the world be seen, but also the rage, the injustice of it all.”
Misan Harriman (born 1977) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I hope he finds joy there, even without the fans. There’s huge pressure from the club owners on the foreign players.”
Abdeslam Ouaddou (born 1978) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Johannesburg was the first place where I understood that black joy and black pain could exist side by side”
Thero Makepe (born 1996) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Far too often people approach Blackness through a deficit model. But what I’ve learned from my family and community is Black joy, and that expansion isn’t just for Black people. That’s for everyone, so that we think about the expansive nature of possibility in how we imagine community, and how we imagine each other across time and space.”
Lisa Coleman (academic) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“There was joy in the ways in which people expressed themselves, the ways they thought about community; and, as a result, they saw themselves as expanding Blackness, expanding the possibilities for future generations,”
Lisa Coleman (academic) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It’s a lot bigger than us and we know that. We know what rugby does for our country. So doing it to the best of our ability and bringing joy to the people back home, is a big thing for us”
Malcolm Marx (born 1994) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The joy of T20 cricket is, it takes one moment of brilliance from an individual to change a game”
“Our dioceses share in the universal mission of the Church starting from our littleness and poverty, collaborating with other Sister Churches not only because today the world has become a global village, but because our life is by nature missionary and we must realise as Christians that many men and women do not live the joy of the resurrection.”
Rafael Leónidas Felipe y Núñez (1938–2025) first seen 2003 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The American Mission Congress Cam 2 is a Call to Our Diocesan Churches, to Our Young Clergy in Particular, to Realise That Missionary Work is a Task for All Not Only for Religious” Says Bishop of Barahora (27 November 2…
“It'll be a joy not having to bowl at Maxwell and (Marcus) Stoinis. If there were two players I'm most looking forward to playing with, for the main reason that I don't have to bowl to them, it'd be Stoinis and Maxwell.”
Tom Curran (cricketer) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I don't think that magic or that chemistry between Jake and Beth will ever die, you can still sense it ... And it was such a joy and a treat to work with Tem again, he's a consummate professional and a really nice guy.”
“Some of the best training an actor can get comes from real-world experiences. Seeing how people navigate challenges, joy, and everything in between — that’s what I bring to my characters”
Taylor Polidore (born 1993) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I just want to play, that’s all I’m waiting for. It will be incredible. Once again, when I heard that Liverpool were interested in me, I thought back to the atmosphere in the stadium and once again I was able to feel it. It’s nothing but a joy to play for a club like that.”
Bradley Barcola (born 2002) first seen 2026 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Q&AInterview: Every word from Bradley Barcola on why Liverpool is his new home;By Chris Shaw on 31st August 2026
“True friends have no solitary joy or sorrow.”
William Ellery Channing (attributed) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Comparison is the thief of joy.”
Theodore Roosevelt (disputed) first seen 2013 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Becoming a Great School (2013) by Cooper, Gustafson and Salah, p. ix
Also quoted by: English proverb (english)
“No person can be a great leader unless he takes genuine joy in the successes of those under him.”
W. H. Auden (misattributed) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God.”
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (disputed) first seen 1937 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Though often attributed to Chardin, it is found in Letters to His Fiancée (1937), by Léon Bloy, p. 57. "For the people who know the Bible and Tradition and the complete history of humanity, Joy is the most infallible si…
“After all soul is linked to body Though it in nowise resembles the body The power of the light of the eye is mated with fat The light of the heart is hidden in a drop of blood Joy harbours in the kidneys and pain in the liver The lamp of reason in the brains of the head. These connections are not without a why and how But reason is at a loss to understand the how.”
Rumi (attributed) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The root of hatred is hell and that hate of yours Is a part of that whole and is the foe of your religion Since you are a part of hell, beware! For the part ever tends towards its whole But if you are a portion of heaven, O renowned one, Your joy will be as lasting as heaven itself.”
Rumi (attributed) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“When the sun goeth up, where stayeth night? When the joy of bounty came, where lagged affliction?”
Rumi (attributed) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Let others grow pale from fear of misfortune, Do thou smile like the rose at loss and gain. For the rose, though its petals be torn asunder Still smiles on, and it is never cast down. It says ‘Why should I fall into grief in disgrace? I gather beauty even from the thorn of disgrace.’ What is Sufism? ’Tis to find joy in the heart Whensoever distress and care assail it.”
Rumi (attributed) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Love exalts our earthly bodies to heaven, And makes the very hills to dance with joy! O Lover, ’twas love that gave life to Mount Sinai When it quaked and Moses fell down in a swoon. Did my Beloved only touch me with his lips I too, like the flute would burst out in melody.”
Rumi (attributed) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Argue not from the condition of common men, Stumble not at severity and mercy; For mercy and severity, joy and sorrow are transient And transient things die; God is heir of all.”
Rumi (attributed) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If the sleeping spirit knew itself to be asleep, Whatever it might see, it would feel neither joy nor sorrow.”
Rumi (attributed) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The most profound joy has more of gravity than of gaiety in it.”
Michel de Montaigne (attributed) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Beauty is desired in order that it may be befouled; not for its own sake, but for the joy brought by the certainty of profaning it. [Elle est désirée pour la salir. Non pour elle-même, mais pour la joie goûtée dans la certitude de la profaner.]”
Tom Stoppard (misattributed) first seen 1962 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Georges Bataille, Erotism (1962) [City Lights Books, 1991, trans. Mary Dalwood, ], part I, ch. XIII, p. 144
“The pieces of the bodies of infidels were flying like dust particles. If you would have seen it with your own eyes, you would have been very pleased, and your heart would have been filled with joy.”
Osama bin Laden (attributed) first seen 2001 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "The Most Wanted Man in the World" (16 September 2001), Time magazine profile.
“The day that hunger is eradicated from the earth there will be the greatest spiritual explosion the world has ever known. Humanity cannot imagine the joy that will burst into the world on the day of that great revolution.”
Federico García Lorca (attributed) first seen 1983 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in New Alchemy Quarterly (1983)
“That all life is only an advancing towards apparent annihilation, can be nowhere so clearly seen as in the regular succession of the seasons. To behold the whole vegetable world starting forth into life with innocent unsuspecting joy, as if it did not once anticipate its wintry death, contains something as deeply affecting as the life of a child, who as yet has not dreamt of danger.”
Wilhelm von Humboldt (attributed) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Joy and grief decide character. What exalts prosperity? what imbitters grief? what leaves us indifferent? what interests us? As the interest of man, so his God,—as his God, so he.”
Johann Kaspar Lavater (attributed) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Joy comes and goes, hope ebbs and flows Like the wave; Change doth unknit the tranquil strength of men. Love lends life a little grace, A few sad smiles; and then, Both are laid in one cold place, In the grave.”
Matthew Arnold (attributed) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Now, the whole world hears Or shall hear,—surely shall hear, at the last, Though men delay, and doubt, and faint, and fail,— That promise faithful:—“Fear not, little flock! It is your Father’s will and joy, to give To you, the Kingdom”!”
Matthew Arnold (attributed) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Music exalts each joy, allays each grief, Expels diseases, softens every pain, Subdues the rage of poison and of plague.”
John Armstrong (poet) (attributed) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I pity people who can't find laughter or at least some bit of amusement in the little doings of the day. I believe I could find something ridiculous even in the saddest moment, if necessary. It has nothing to do with being superficial. It's a matter of joy in life.”
Sophie Scholl (disputed) first seen 2005 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Christian Jazz Artists Newsletter (February/March 2005); this source is disputed as it does not cite an original document for the quote.
“Laughter is a strange response. I mean, what is it? It's a spasm of some kind! Is that always joy? It's very often discomfort. It's some sort of explosive reaction. It's very complex.”
Madeline Kahn (attributed) first seen 1989 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: 1989 interview. Reported in William H. Honan, The New York Times (December 4, 1999) "Madeline Kahn: Funny Actress in 'Blazing Saddles'", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, p. A-11