When it comes to inspiring one-liners worthy of writing down, nobody does them better than Oprah Winfrey [1]. That's why we're celebrating the media queen by taking a look at some of her most memorable quotes from over the years — the best of the best. Whether she's empowering graduates with a moving commencement speech or casually chatting about living her best life, Oprah somehow manages to be both poignant and relatable in all sorts of contexts. Read through some of her most thought-provoking words, then check out more Oprah quotes that will make you a better person [2].
On Mistakes and Failure
- "There is no such thing as failure [4]. Failure is just life trying to move us in a different direction."
- "Learn from every mistake, because every experience, encounter, and particularly your mistakes are there to teach you [5] and force you into being more of who you are."
On Living Your Best Life
- "What we dwell on is who we become [6]."
- "Align your personality with your purpose [7], and no one can touch you."
On Gratitude
- "Be thankful for what you have [8]; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough."
On Setting Goals and Moving Forward
- "What am I hungry for? Well, I'm hungry to awaken and open people's hearts [9]."
- "When you have reached the peak of a mountain top . . . you have absolutely no worries. But you have two choices: You can come down from the mountain and spend the rest of your days thinking it was so beautiful there, or you can create a vision, look upward, see the next mountain [10], and start the climb all over again."
On Leadership and Success
- "That's what true leadership is [11] — to be able to put whatever you're doing in a position that can sustain itself without you having to be the prominent force every day. You want to create an opportunity for other people."
- "Life is about decisions [12]. And the decision is that you will use your life in service . . . You will offer your talent and your kindness however you can. And you will radically transform whatever moment you're in, which leads to bigger moments. Because the truth is success, it's a process."
On Happiness and Positivity
- "You're responsible for the energy you put out into the world [13]."
- "The commonality in the human experience is the same [14]. We have the same sorrows, and the same triumphs. Joy is joy is joy."
On Maximizing Your Single Years
- "It's the best time when you get to make yourself the lover, friend, the supporter, [15] that you would want. You need to go through that."
On Remaining Hopeful For Positive Change
- "I've interviewed and portrayed people who've withstood some of the ugliest things life can throw at you, but the one quality all of them seem to share is an ability to maintain hope for a brighter morning, even during our darkest nights . . . A new day is on the horizon! [16]"