Encouraging Words for a Friend

From time to time, our friends become discouraged, due to any number of issues they're facing in their lives. Sometimes, a few well-chosen, words of encouragement from a caring friend can be a huge help in getting them past their difficulties, and on with their lives. Here is a collection of favorite encouraging words for a friend, which we've gathered from thousands of inspirational quotes we've come across over the years. Hopefully, you'll find one or two that convey just the right message for your friend in need. Good luck!

Amusing Comparison of Starting Out with Nothing, and Quickly Advancing::

"Perseverance is everything. We all stumbled when we took our first steps yet we were running sooner than we realized, and then we couldn't stay still. Why stay still now?"

~ Rob Liano

Encouraging Proverb on Having Everything We Need To Success Already:

"You already possess everything necessary to become great."

~ Native American Proverb

Encouraging Thought on the Sun Always Rising, Regardless of the Depth of the Night::

"Night never had the last word. The dawn is always invincible."

~ Hugh B. Brown

Uplifting Story about Completely Looking Past Obstacles::

"I'm not old enough to play baseball or football. I'm not eight yet. My mom told me when you start baseball, you aren't going to be able to run that fast because you had an operation. I told Mom I wouldn't need to run that fast. When I play baseball, I'll just hit them out of the park. Then I'll be able to walk."

~ Edward J. McGrath, Jr.

Great Quote on Overcoming Reasons Why Something Shouldn't Work, But Does::

"Aerodynamically the bumblebee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumblebee doesn't know that so it goes on flying anyway."

~ Mary Kay Ash

Encouraging Quote on Taking on Challenges":

"If it doesn't challenge you, it will not change you."

~ Tamika L. Sims

Empowering Thought on Pursuing One's Dreams:

"A dream only becomes overrated when not pursued by the dreamer."

~ Courtney Hickman

Encouraging Words for a Friend about the Purpose of Life's Difficulties:

"There are moments when troubles enter our lives and we can do nothing to avoid them. But they are there for a reason. Only when we have overcome them will we understand why they were there."

~ Paulo Coelho

Short, Classic Quote on Courage and Its Potential to Greatly Expand One's Life:

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage."

~ Anaïs Nin

Great Quote on Taking Action, Even When Unsure of Which Direction to Take:

"Do not sit still; start moving now. In the beginning, you may not go in the direction you want, but as long as you are moving, you are creating alternatives and possibilities."

~ Rodolfo Costa

Empowering Quote on Overcoming Limited Expectations You or Others Place on You:

"Don't live down to expectations. Go out there and do something remarkable."

~ Wendy Wasserstein

Heartening Quote on Overcoming Circumstances in Order to Achieve Great Things:

"Nothing splendid has ever been achieved except by those who dared believe that something inside of them was superior to circumstance."

~ Bruce Barton

Encouraging Motto for a Can-Do Attitude:

"Success comes in cans, not cannot's."

~ Joel Weldon

A Favorite Quote on Taking Risks, and Coming Out Ahead, Whatever the Outcome:

"Take risks: if you win, you will be happy; if you lose, you will be wise."