Phrases to live by

In their own words: 10 mic-drop quotes that still matter

Image: Mona Eendra

When you think about it, quotes seem almost magical. The fact that just a few words can move, inspire, or comfort us feels nothing short of miraculous. While these phrases don’t necessarily have to come from famous people—we've all received words of encouragement from someone close—several remarkable individuals have left their mark on history through the quotes they left behind. With that in mind, we’ve gathered 10 of the most exceptional quotes out there, in the hope that these words of wisdom are just what you need today. Enjoy!

Image: Unseen Histories

We’ll start with a phrase that changed American history forever. We can’t be sure whether Martin Luther King Jr. knew that the speech he delivered on August 28, 1963, would help shape modern American society—but we like to believe he did. In fact, since the most remembered section of that speech was improvised, it’s more than possible that Reverend King was fully aware of the power of his words.

A 1999 poll named King’s "I Have a Dream" speech the greatest American speech of the 20th century. Many historians believe that it was one of the pivotal moments in the civil rights movement’s rise to national prominence. A few months after the march, King was chosen as TIME magazine’s "Man of the Year," and in 1964, he became the youngest person in history to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

Image: Johann Walter Bantz

You might think a strong animal like a bull or a bear would make for a more fitting boxing metaphor, but Muhammad Ali’s most famous quote proves that even an insect can pack quite a punch. The boxing legend’s love for poetry is well documented—he would often showcase his literary skills before a fight. In that sense, the genius behind "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee" shows that one of Ali’s greatest strengths was his unparalleled imagination.

As you might expect, this quote from "The Greatest" was delivered before his first heavyweight title fight against Sonny Liston in 1964. The phrase is not only rich with vivid imagery, but it also serves as a warning to his opponent, highlighting Ali’s blazing speed and razor-sharp reflexes.

Image: Janne Simoes

Few speeches have a more iconic opening line than President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. In fact, many of us learned that a "score" equals 20 years thanks to the famous phrase "four score and seven years ago." More importantly, these words serve as a timeless testament to the unwavering commitment our 16th president had to guiding the nation through a civil war.

One of the most fascinating aspects of this speech is its brevity—it is only about 270 words long. We say "about" because there are actually five known versions of the speech. However, the most widely quoted version is the one originally sent to Colonel Alexander Bliss. This is the version engraved on the Lincoln Memorial and displayed in the Lincoln Bedroom of the White House.

Image: History in HD

There’s a reason the Kennedy years were often called "Camelot": JFK’s image as a handsome knight in shining armor brought hope and the promise of a brighter future to the American people. In that sense, Kennedy’s inaugural address was not only inspirational—it encouraged every American to strive to become a better version of themselves and, in turn, help make the world a better place.

The entire address is often summed up by its most famous line: "Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country." The patriotic spirit of this quote is a perfect example of our 35th president’s dedication to public service and his enduring connection with the American people.

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We wish we had known this quote during our teenage years: being able to say, "Common sense is actually nothing more than a deposit of prejudices laid down in the mind prior to the age of 18," after doing something questionable might have left our parents baffled—if not furious.

What’s interesting is that these may not be Albert Einstein’s exact words. A paraphrased version of the quote first appeared in a 1948 book by Lincoln Barnett. However, since "the father of relativity" wrote the foreword praising Barnett’s work, it’s reasonable to believe that the quote accurately reflects Einstein’s perspective on the matter.

Image: Kenneth Jencks

What are the things that make you say, "This is all I need from life"? We all have our favorite essentials—for some, it’s sitting by a warm fire; for others, it’s traveling to new and exciting places. In any case, literary giant Mark Twain was quite clear about the things he considered necessary for an ideal life.

Twain once wrote, "Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life." While the first two items are fairly self-explanatory, the idea of a "sleepy conscience" likely refers to the inner peace that comes from living in harmony and staying true to oneself.

Image: Jessica Tan

No one can say that Franklin Delano Roosevelt had an easy presidency. In fact, he faced hardship from his very first day: Roosevelt succeeded Herbert Hoover at the height of the Great Depression, with an anxious nation waiting to see what measures he would take to pull the country out of turmoil.

In that sense, one of the opening lines of Roosevelt’s inaugural address remains one of the most influential presidential quotes in history. In a speech broadcast to millions of homes, he directly addressed a fearful American public, declaring: "First of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

Image: Craig Tidball

President Eisenhower’s background as a military officer shines through in this inspiring quote. According to historians, the phrase "Pessimism never won any battle" served as a kind of mantra for our 34th president—something he used to motivate both himself and those around him to maintain a positive attitude in the face of adversity.

While this is perhaps Eisenhower’s most famous reflection on pessimism, he also once said, "Optimism and pessimism are infectious, and they spread more rapidly from the head downward than in any other direction." In that sense, we can all take a cue from "Ike" and realize that changing our outlook on life can only improve it.

Image: Andy Hall

Muhammad Ali may be known as "The Greatest" in the boxing world, but ice hockey has its very own "Great One." Wayne Gretzky is widely considered the greatest hockey player of all time, still holding the records for career goals, assists, and total points in NHL history.

Like Ali, Gretzky also had a way with words. One of the most iconic quotes in sports is attributed to him: "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." This simple yet powerful message has inspired generations to take chances and pursue their goals.

Image: Brett Wharton

What better way to end this article than with a nugget of wisdom from a Founding Father? This quote by Benjamin Franklin perfectly captures what makes this country so remarkable. While we certainly live in a beautiful land filled with incredible people, what truly sets America apart is our everlasting quest for freedom and liberty.

It should come as no surprise that one of the architects who helped build America once said, "Where liberty dwells, there is my country." Franklin’s love for freedom has endured through generations, passed down among Americans since the nation’s founding.

Twisting your perception of time

Strange links: What do a fax machine and the US Civil War have in common?

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Did you know that Cleopatra, Egypt's most famous queen, lived closer to our time than to the construction of the powerful pyramids of Giza? When we map out different historical events on a timeline, we frequently discover that moments we thought were galaxies apart actually happened at the same time or were separated by far fewer years than we imagined. Join us as we put history into perspective! One thing's for sure: you're in for some surprises.

Image: Alessandro Zanini

We often tend to associate the marvelous pyramids of Giza with Cleopatra VII. And it's easy to see why, as she's Egypt's most famous Queen. But here's the surprising truth: about 2,500 years separated the construction of the pyramids (2580–2560 BC) from Cleopatra's life (69–30 BC). That means that the Queen of the Nile was roughly 500 years closer to our own time than she was to the pyramid builders!

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If you've worked in an office at any point over the past 35 years, chances are you've used or at least seen a fax machine. And while it might seem like a relatively recent invention, the truth is that the first fax machine was invented well before the American Civil War. That's right! In 1843, 18 years before the war broke out, Scottish inventor Alexander Bain created the first electromechanical facsimile machine, the ancestor of the modern fax.

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The Salem witch trials are remembered as an infamous event from long ago. These trials took place mainly between 1692 and 1693, decades before the US even existed as a nation. Surprisingly, the prestigious Harvard University had already been founded 56 years earlier! And here's the most impressive part: both events occurred in what is now Massachusetts.

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The sinking of the Titanic happened over a century ago. This tragic event, which captured the world's attention, occurred in 1912, but at the very same time, other events were also happening around the globe. Surprisingly, that same year also saw the debut of one of America’s most beloved cookies: the Oreo!

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Did you know that the iconic Marilyn Monroe was born in the same year as Queen Elizabeth II? It might seem surprising, since popular imagination links these two women to very different eras. But it's true: Marilyn was born in June 1926, just two months after the future queen, who would go on to rule the UK for 70 years. They actually met once, at the Royal Film Performance held at the Empire Theatre in London on October 29, 1956. Queen Elizabeth II passed away in 2022, 60 years after the actress's death.

Image: Sean Foster

Pyramids take center stage again in this comparison. You probably link woolly mammoths with the Ice Age in the Northern Hemisphere, right? While that connection is accurate, it may surprise you to learn that some of these massive mammals were still roaming the Earth long after the Egyptian pyramids were built.

Image: Ryunosuke Kikuno

The Samurai were a privileged warrior class that inhabited pre-modern Japan, arising around the 12th century. Their influence lasted for centuries, which is why some samurai were still alive when Alexander Graham Bell made the first successful telephone call in 1876. It was precisely in that same year of the 19th century that marked the official abolition of the samurai class in Japan.

Image: Luis Aceves

The Aztecs were a powerful civilization that primarily ruled what is now Mexico between the 14th and 16th centuries. Among its many achievements was the construction of Tenochtitlán, which began around the year 1325. But did you know that Oxford University was already teaching students nearly three centuries before the Aztecs began building their empire? While the exact dates are uncertain, scholars estimate that instruction at Oxford was already underway by 1096!

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When discussing ancient civilizations, we can’t forget the Incas, whose empire was centered in what is now Peru. The thing is, when the Incas were building the impressive structures of Machu Picchu around 1450, there were just over 30 years left before the incredible Sistine Chapel was completed on the other side of the world. Just three decades separate these two monumental and majestic human creations, built with very different technologies, tools, and techniques.

Image: Jose Mizrahi

The Ottoman Empire was founded around 1299, an amazing seven centuries ago. That's why it feels so incredible that it still existed when Walt Disney was creating his first cartoons. Indeed, Disney released his first animated shorts, the Alice Comedies, in 1923, just a year after the Ottoman Empire was officially dissolved.