From Rumi to Nietzsche, timeless quotes on hope, change and purpose

Life isn’t always smooth sailing. There are challenges, people hurt, relationships fall apart,  dreams seem out of reach. It’s natural to feel lost, dejected even. Comforting words of loved ones help, yet, we may still feel the need to be held for greater reassurance. We seek deeper wisdom to help us out of the quagmire. Since time immemorial, thinkers, philosophers, poets have distilled complex questions of life into simple, easy words to provide the much-needed solace and hope to mankind. Be it Rumi, Nietzsche, Tolstoy, Einstein, or Buddha, their profound insights on life’s great themes such as pain, hope, failure, meaning, and purpose have been the guiding light for generations. These words of deep wisdom continue to inspire us today as we go through a most complex, tumultuous period so we can rise, rebuild and find our way to what we wish to pursue. These greats, in their humble, compassionate words taught us that no matter how lost we may feel, hope and healing are around the corner.

World Philosophy Day is celebrated on the third Thursday of November every year to honour the value of human thought and introspection. Established by UNESCO, the day recognises the importance of philosophy in promoting intellectual and spiritual evolution, deeper thinking and understanding of the world we live in. In these timeless quotes on hope, change and purpose, let us find the answers we are looking for.

“The purpose of life is to bring forth goodness. Now, in this life.” — Leo Tolstoy

“I wanted to change the world. But I have found that the only thing one can be sure of changing is oneself.” — Aldous Huxley

“Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat.” — F. Scott Fitzgerald

“Your purpose in life is to find your purpose and give your whole heart and soul to it.” — Buddha

“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” — Marcus Aurelius

“Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly.” — Chuang Tzu

“Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”— George Bernard Shaw