Powerful & Inspiring Quotes
There is great power in words. Words can captivate, inspire, and transform us. They can come at us like a rushing wind that blows our minds open to new ideas. Or inflame us like blazing infernos and cause us to rise up against injustices. They can even blanket us like starry skies and beckon us to dream. Words can fill us with joy, hope and passion.
May the following quotes from teen parents and children of teen parents move you in some beautiful, powerful, or unexpected way.
[Also, if you don’t know who some of the celebs are and want to find out more about their accolades or see a pic, then visit our other blog titled “Triumph on the World Stage” here.]
Selena Gomez
Actress, singer, music artist, songwriter, producer and business-woman.
Selena’s parents were aged 16 when she was born.
“Be yourself always, there's no one better”
~ Selena Gomez
“You have every right to a beautiful life.”
~ Selena Gomez
“I can make the stars dance”
~ Selena Gomez
“I mess up, a lot, but that's ok, nobody's perfect.”
~ Selena Gomez
Sources for Selena Gomez quotes:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/4039819.Selena_G_mez
https://www.popsugar.com/latina/selena-gomez-favorite-motivational-quote-42788170
Maya Angelou
Poet, author, civil rights activist.
Parent at age 17.
"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
~ Maya Angelou
"Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
~ Maya Angelou
“I learned a long time ago the wisest thing I can do is be on my own side, be an advocate for myself and others like me.”
~ Maya Angelou
“We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.”
~ Maya Angelou
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
~ Maya Angelou
“You may write me down in history with your bitter, twisted lines. You may trod me in the very dirt, but still, like dust, I'll rise.”
~ Maya Angelou
“The need for change bulldozed a road down the center of my mind.”
~ Maya Angelou
“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.”
~ Maya Angelou
“History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.”
~ Maya Angelou
“All great achievements require time.”
~ Maya Angelou
“My mom was a terrible parent of young children. And thank God - I thank God every time I think of it - I was sent to my paternal grandmother. Ah, but my mother was a great parent of a young adult.”
~ Maya Angelou
“Human beings love poetry. They don't even know it sometimes... whether they're the songs of Bono, or the songs of Justin Bieber... they're listening to poetry.”
~ Maya Angelou
“The plague of racism is insidious, entering into our minds as smoothly and quietly and invisibly as floating airborne microbes enter into our bodies to find lifelong purchase in our bloodstreams.”
~ Maya Angelou
Sources for Maya Angelou quotes:
https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/maya-angelou-quotes
https://www.azquotes.com/author/440-Maya_Angelou/
https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/features/a9874244/best-maya-angelou-quotes/
Mahatma Gandhi
43rd President of the Indian National Congress, Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist, political ethicist, and non-violent resistance leader.
Became a parent at age 16.
“In a gentle way, you can shake the world.”
~ Mahatma Gandhi
“Power is of two kinds. One is obtained by the fear of punishment and the other by acts of love. Power based on love is a thousand times more effective and permanent then the one derived from fear of punishment.”
~ Mahatma Gandhi
“I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.”
~ Mahatma Gandhi
“An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind.”
~ Mahatma Gandhi
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.”
~ Mahatma Gandhi
“You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is like an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.”
~ Mahatma Gandhi
Sources for Mahatma Gandhi quotes:
https://www.businessinsider.in/india/article/mahatma-gandhi-famous-quotes-for-whatsapp-and-facebook-status/articleshow/78408172.cms
Oprah Winfrey
Talk show host, author, actress, philanthropist, producer and media proprietor.
Her mother was aged 18 when Oprah was born. Oprah also gave birth at 14 to a son who was born prematurely and died in infancy.
“As long as I’ve got a voice and a vote, I can use them to help lift up humankind and human consciousness.”
~ Oprah Winfrey
“Family should be the place where you can be your most complete self.”
~ Oprah Winfrey
“I refuse to be quiet in the face of injustice.”
~ Oprah Winfrey
“Turn your wounds into wisdom.”
~ Oprah Winfrey
Sources for Oprah Winfrey quotes:
https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/g23429862/oprah-quotes/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/3518.Oprah_Winfrey
William Shakespeare
Playwright.
Became a parent at age 18.
“We know what we are, but know not what we may be.”
~ William Shakespeare (Hamlet, Act 4, Scene 5)
“Modest doubt is called the beacon of the wise.”
~ William Shakespeare (Troilus and Cressida, Act 2, Scene 2)
“Though she be but little, she is fierce.”
~ William Shakespeare (A Midsummer Night's Dream, Act 3, Scene 2)
“Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”
~ William Shakespeare (Twelfth Night, Act 2, Scene 5)
“Small cheer and great welcome makes a merry feast.”
~ William Shakespeare (The Comedy of Errors, Act 3, Scene 1)
“Boldness be my friend.”
~ William Shakespeare (Iachimo, Act 1 Scene 6)
“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts.”
~ William Shakespeare (As You Like It, Act 2, Scene 7)
“Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt.”
~ William Shakespeare (Measure for Measure, Act 1, Scene 4)
“Let me be that I am and seek not to alter me.”
~ William Shakespeare (Much Ado About Nothing, Act 1, Scene 3)
“I am not bound to please thee with my answer.”
~ William Shakespeare (Merchant of Venice, Act 4, Scene 1)
Sources for William Shakespeare’s quotes:
https://www.invajy.com/shakespeare-quotes/
https://www.audible.com/blog/quotes-shakespeare
https://allauthor.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/
Lebron James
NBA Player for Los Angeles Lakers and two-time Olympic gold medalist.
Parent at age 19.
“Commitment is a big part of what I am and what I believe. How committed are you to winning? How committed are you to being a good friend? To being trustworthy? To being successful? How committed are you to being a good father, a good teammate, a good role model? There’s that moment every morning when you look in the mirror: Are you committed, or are you not?”
~ LeBron James
“You can’t be afraid to fail. It’s the only way you succeed. You’re not gonna succeed all the time and I know that.”
~ LeBron James
My mom and I have always been there for each other. We had some tough times, but she was always there for me.
~LeBron James
My father wasn't around when I was a kid, and I used to always say, 'Why me? Why don't I have a father? Why isn't he around? Why did he leave my mother?' But as I got older I looked deeper and thought, 'I don't know what my father was going through, but if he was around all the time, would I be who I am today?'
~LeBron James
Basketball is my passion, I love it. But my family and friends mean everything to me. That's what's important.
~LeBron James
Sources for LeBron James quotes:
https://www.on3.com/news/lebron-james-quotes-to-motivate-and-inspire-you/
https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/lebron-james-quotes
Barack Obama
44th President of the United States of America.
His mother was 18 years old when Barack was born.
“As fathers, we need to be involved in our children’s lives not just when it’s convenient or easy, and not just when they’re doing well — but when it’s difficult and thankless, and they’re struggling. That is when they need us most.”
~ Barack Obama
“Every father bears a fundamental obligation to do right by their children.”
~ Barack Obama
“The second best piece of advice I’ve got for fathers of girls is not only love them unconditionally, but treat their moms great.”
~ Barack Obama
Sources for Barack Obama quotes:
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/obama-fatherhood-quotes_l_6109f4cae4b0e882ab645af9
https://www.sheknows.com/parenting/slideshow/2353813/barack-obama-michelle-obama-parenting-quotes/1/
Lil Wayne
American rapper.
Parent at age 16. His mother was 19 when he was born.
“All the people of the world are in the same team, because we are all chasing our dreams.”
~ Lil Wayne
Life’s a beach and I am just playing in the sand!
~ Lil Wayne
“When life sucks, I just enjoy the music.”
~ Lil Wayne
“Make jokes. No stress. Live life with love. Proceed. Progress.”
~ Lil Wayne
“There is no friendship, no love, like that of the parent for the child.”
~ Lil Wayne
Sources for Lil Wayne quotes:
https://pickshortquotes.com/amazing-lil-wayne-quotes/
https://www.quotesnest.com/authors/author/lil-wayne
Dimple Kapadia
Indian actress, predominantly appearing in Hindi films.
Parent of first child at age 17 and second child at age 18.
“I love seeing colours of various hues; they simply fascinate me.”
~ Dimple Kapadia
“I think all of my life’s story is condensed in my face. It is neither innocent nor coy. It speaks volumes.”
~ Dimple Kapadia
“Every life is special.”
~ Dimple Kapadia
“There aren’t enough good scripts.”
~ Dimple Kapadia
Sources for Dimple Kapadia quotes:
https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/dimple-kapadia-quotes_2
https://www.whatshouldireadnext.com/quotes/authors/dimple-kapadia
Sofia Vergara
Columbian-American actress, television personality, model & business woman.
Parent at age 19.
“Beauty is really all about confidence. If you feel beautiful, then you are beautiful.”
~ Sofia Vergara
“I think I’m going to be stereotyped forever, but I’m not scared of being stereotyped.”
~ Sofia Vergara
“I guess at the end of the day, all women like to be appreciated and treated with respect and kindness.”
~ Sofia Vergara
“I always tried to do the best for my kid.”
~ Sofia Vergara
“Listen, I’m not afraid of anything. I’m Colombian.”
~ Sofia Vergara
“When you have a kid, you have to be more mature.”
~ Sofia Vergara
Sources for Sofia Vergara quotes:
https://graciousquotes.com/sofia-vergara/
https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/sofia-vergara-quotes
Eminem
US rapper.
His mother had him at age 18.
“Don't let them say you ain't beautiful”
~ Eminem
“Cause sometimes, you just feel tired. Feel weak. And when you feel weak, you feel like you wanna just give up. But you gotta search within you. You gotta find that inner strength, and just pull that shit out of you. And get that motivation to NOT give up and NOT be a quitter. No matter how bad you wanna just fall flat on your face and collapse.”
~ Eminem
“We’ll walk this road together, through the storm. Whatever weather, cold or warm.”
~ Eminem
“The moment I used my adversity to my advantage, my career exploded.”
~ Eminem
Sources for Eminem quotes:
https://genius.com/Eminem-beautiful-lyrics
https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/272231.Eminem?page=4
Keisha Castle-Hughes
Australian-born Māori, New Zealand actress.
Parent at age 16.
“I’ve worked really hard to sustain a career and to work and to support my family.”
~ Keisha Castle-Hughes
“It hurt at the time because it’s supposed to be a huge celebration. I was supposed to be able to go, “Wow, I’m having a baby and this is amazing.” I felt like I had to hide. I felt like it was bad for me to be happy about it. I felt scared in my own home and it was horrible. I should be entitled to walk around my front yard without worrying that these people are watching me.”
~ Keisha Castle-Hughes
I absolutely love being a mother. It’s been a blessing. It’s fun and it’s hard, but it’s absolutely amazing.”
~ Keisha Castle-Hughes
Sources for Keisha Castle-Hughes quotes:
https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/keisha-castle-hughes-quotes
https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/sunday-magazine/300910826/for-the-first-time-in-a-long-time-keisha-castlehughes-is-really-happy-to-be-home
https://m.imdb.com/name/nm1095720/quotes/
Aretha Franklin
American singer, songwriter, pianist, record producer and civil rights activist.
Gave birth to her two children when she was aged 12 and aged 14.
“Music has the power to heal, to bring people together, and to inspire change. It’s a universal language that transcends boundaries and touches the soul.”
~ Aretha Franklin
“Every person has their own destiny, their own path to walk. Embrace your uniqueness and follow your own journey.”
~ Aretha Franklin
“Keep striving, keep learning, and keep growing, no matter your age or your circumstances.”
~ Aretha Franklin
“Sometimes what you are looking for is already there.”
~Aretha Franklin
“Respect yourself and demand respect from others. Stand up for what you believe in, and never settle for anything less than you deserve.”
~ Aretha Franklin
Sources for Aretha Franklin quotes:
https://graciousquotes.com/aretha-franklin/
https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/aretha-franklin-quotes
Last updated: 9 June 2024