Chronic Illness Quotes to Inspire, Motivate, Grieve, Hope & Laugh About

Chronic Illness Quotes to Inspire, Motivate, Grieve, Hope & Laugh About

As someone who’s chronically ill, a good quote – be it inspirational, sad, funny, even morbid (maybe especially morbid!) – can inspire me to carry on for another day. Words are magical. String them in a sequence, and they can generate so much hope. Rearrange them again, and they can serve to inspire, then stir up fury, before instilling calm once more. I have put together some chronic illness quotes on this page, in hope that it helps you through your day.

I personally believe that the best way to deal with chronic pain is through acceptance of our emotions, circumstances, limitations and strengths. I admit that this isn’t easy to do, and I still struggle with it. I’ve arranged the chronic illness quotes below into categories that I feel suits them best to make for easy viewing. I’d also like to emphasise the importance of perspective; some quotes help me today, but not tomorrow. So take only what you need today.

It is also my hope that this chronic illness quotes page becomes a community hub. If you have a good quote that you’d like to share, be it from a book, movie, or even your own, please click on ‘Contribute a Quote’ button below. I plan on updating this page with more chronic illness quotes every now and then, so do come back to browse if you enjoy a good quote. Don’t forget to pin your favourite quotes here to share and refer to as well. Thank you and happy browsing!

*Note: This page is meant for sharing and educational purposes, and is based on the author’s personal experiences and perspectives. It is not to be substituted for medical advice. Please consult your own doctor before changing or adding any new treatment protocols.

New Quotes Added: 2 December 2023

Contribute a Quote

Inspirational Quotes for the Chronically Ill

‘When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.’ - Confucius

“When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.” – Confucius

'Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.’ - Francis of Assisi

“Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” – Francis of Assisi

‘And now you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.’ - John Steinback

“And now you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.” – John Steinback

‘The best place to succeed is where you are with what you have.’ - Charles Schwab

“The best place to succeed is where you are with what you have.” – Charles Schwab

‘Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.’ - John Wooden

“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” – John Wooden

Quote of the Day: “There are victories of the soul and spirit. Sometimes, even if you lose, you win.” - Eliezer Wiesel

“There are victories of the soul and spirit. Sometimes, even if you lose, you win.” – Eliezer Wiesel

‘I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something I can do.’ - Edward Everett Hale

“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something I can do.” – Edward Everett Hale

‘Real generosity toward the future lies in giving all to the present.’ - Albert Camus

“Real generosity toward the future lies in giving all to the present.” – Albert Camus

“Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out.” - John Wooden

“Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out.” – John Wooden

“When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on.” - Franklin D. Roosevelt

“When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

“There are plenty of difficult obstacles in your path. Don’t allow yourself to become one of them.” – Ralph Marston

“There are plenty of difficult obstacles in your path. Don’t allow yourself to become one of them.” – Ralph Marston

“Insight is sudden. It is a flash of understanding. It’s what we do with our insights that can take a lifetime.” ― Eloise Ristad

“Insight is sudden. It is a flash of understanding. It’s what we do with our insights that can take a lifetime.” ― Eloise Ristad

“What is necessary is never unwise.” – Sarek (Star Trek) (Background: White flowers bordered on the right. Text to the left.)

“What is necessary is never unwise.” – Sarek (Star Trek)

“I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning how to sail my ship.” - Louisa May Alcott (Background: Storm, blue-grey sea and sky, with a lighthouse in the distance on the right.)

“I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship.” – Louisa May Alcott
Thank you to @serenebutterfly of brainlesionandme.com for the contribution!

“Everyone is gifted - but some people never open their package!” - Wolfgang Riebe

“Everyone is gifted – but some people never open their package!” – Wolfgang Riebe

“From caring comes courage.” - Lao Tzu

“From caring comes courage.” – Lao Tzu

“Don’t believe everything you think.” - Robert Fulghum

“Don’t believe everything you think.” – Robert Fulghum

Quotes on Time & Patience​

‘Patience is also a form of action.’ - Auguste Rodin

“Patience is also a form of action.” – Auguste Rodin

“Breathe. What else in life could be more important than that?” - Sheryl Chan, A Chronic Voice

“Breathe. What else in life could be more important than that?” – Sheryl Chan, A Chronic Voice (Read the full poem here.)

‘Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is like saying, ‘I don’t want to.’’ - Unknown

“Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is like saying, ‘I don’t want to.” – Unknown (Various sources attributed)

‘Be patient. Everything comes to you in the right moment.’ - Buddha

“Be patient. Everything comes to you in the right moment.” – Buddha

“If we take care of the moments, the years will take care of themselves.” - Maria Edgeworth (Background: Gritty texture in warm hues. Round analog clocks in various sizes stacking horizontally upwards from left to right. A man is running atop a clock. Another stands at the bottom gazing up.)

“If we take care of the moments, the years will take care of themselves.” – Maria Edgeworth

“Never give up on a dream because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.” - Earl Nightingale. (Blue background of the sky in gauche watercolour sky, with bright primary coloured flowers at bottom right.)

“Never give up on a dream because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.” – Earl Nightingale

“The key is in not spending time, but in investing it.” – Stephen R. Covey

“The key is in not spending time, but in investing it.” – Stephen R. Covey

Quotes on Love, Joy & Happiness​

‘Stop looking for happiness in the same place you lost it.’ - Anonymous

“Stop looking for happiness in the same place you lost it.” – Anonymous

“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” - Mother Teresa

“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” – Mother Teresa

“Our idea of happiness is our main obstacle to happiness.” - Thich Nhat Hanh

“Our idea of happiness is our main obstacle to happiness.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

“So you know all about me?”, asked the boy. “Yes”, said the horse. “And you still love me?” “We love you all the more.” ― Charlie Mackesy, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

“So you know all about me?”, asked the boy.
“Yes”, said the horse.
“And you still love me?”
“We love you all the more.” ― Charlie Mackesy, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the greatest intention.” - Kahlil Gibran (Background: 3 hands holding red heart-shaped cutouts up at the bottom. Star shapes and gritty green background texture.)

“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the greatest intention.” – Kahlil Gibran

Affirmations & Self-Love Chronic Illness Quotes

‘Don’t set sail on someone else’s star.‘ - African Proverb

“Don’t set sail on someone else’s star.” – African Proverb

‘Character is what you know you are, not what others think you have.’ – Marva Collins

“Character is what you know you are, not what others think you have.” – Marva Collins

‘The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any.’ - Alice Walker

“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” – Alice Walker

‘There is only one me amongst the billions of us on this planet, and we are all worth something in that regard.’ - Sheryl Chan, A Chronic Voice

“There is only one me amongst the billions of us on this planet, and we are all worth something in that regard.” – Sheryl Chan, A Chronic Voice (Read the post here.)

“My body is a bloody mess, but I love it just the same.” - Sheryl Chan, A Chronic Voice

“My body is a bloody mess, but I love it just the same.” – Sheryl Chan, A Chronic Voice

“Certain things lose their power the moment you accept them to be true, because they can no longer prey on your thoughts. Take your self-confidence back.” - Sheryl Chan, A Chronic Voice

“Certain things lose their power the moment you accept them to be true, because they can no longer prey on your thoughts. Take your self-confidence back.” – Sheryl Chan, A Chronic Voice (Read the post here.)

“My vulnerability may symbolise weakness, yet becomes a strength when used like a knife. I don’t have to put the broken pieces back together, because what would I cut and mark with, then?” - Sheryl Chan, A Chronic Voice

“My vulnerability may symbolise weakness, yet becomes a strength when used like a knife. I don’t have to put the broken pieces back together, because what would I cut and mark with, then?” – Sheryl Chan, A Chronic Voice (Read the post here.)

“I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear.” - Rosa Parks

“I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear.” – Rosa Parks

“Be you, love you. All ways, always.” - Alexandra Elle (Background: Watercolour rose on top right, another smaller one with leaves and branch on the top left.)

“Be you, love you. All ways, always.” – Alexandra Elle

“A bird sitting on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaking, because its trust is not on the branch but on its own wings.” - Charlie Wardle, Understanding & Building Confidence (Background: Flat lay of blue clouds and swallows.)

“A bird sitting on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaking, because its trust is not on the branch but on its own wings.” – Charlie Wardle

“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that there was something wrong with me.” - Glennon Doyle (Background: Top image of an orange sunset and dark ship with sails on the right.)

“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that there was something wrong with me.” – Glennon Doyle

“When you need something to believe in, start with yourself.” - Ella Wright (Image: White girl with brown, frizzy hair smiling with mouth open at bottom right. A starburst yellow shape is behind her. Text is in multicolour.)

“When you need something to believe in, start with yourself.” – Ella Wright

“Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years.” - “Gates’ Law” (Background: A mix of five different male and female people with fingers against their chin gazing upwards in thought.)

“Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years.” – Known as “Gates’ Law”; original author unknown

“When you give up, there is a sense of despair and lost hope. There is nothing else to look forward to in life. Self-acceptance on the other hand is empowering.” - Sheryl Chan, A Chronic Voice

“When you give up, there is a sense of despair and lost hope. There is nothing else to look forward to in life. Self-acceptance on the other hand is empowering.” – Sheryl Chan, A Chronic Voice (Read the post here.)

“You can only lose something that you have, but you cannot lose something that you are.” - Eckhark Tolle

“You can only lose something that you have, but you cannot lose something that you are.” – Eckhark Tolle

“Remember no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” - Eleanor Roosevelt

“Remember no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

“Your story is what you have, what you will always have. It is something to own.” – Michelle Obama

“Your story is what you have, what you will always have. It is something to own.” – Michelle Obama

“Sometimes when you lose your way, you find yourself.” - Mandy Hale

“Sometimes when you lose your way, you find yourself.” – Mandy Hale

Productivity & Motivational Quotes​

‘If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten.' - Anonymous

“If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.” – Anonymous

‘The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.’ - Stephen Covey

“The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” – Stephen Covey

“Done is better than perfect.” - Sheryl Sandberg - Quote of the Day

“Done is better than perfect.” – Sheryl Sandberg

‘Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.’ - William James

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” – William James

“Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.” - Unknown

“Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.” – Unknown

‘Failure is success in progress.’ - Albert Einstein

“Failure is success in progress.” – Albert Einstein

‘Don’t be pushed by your problems, be led by your dreams.’ – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Don’t be pushed by your problems, be led by your dreams.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

‘Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.’ - John D. Rockefeller

“Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.” – John D. Rockefeller

“If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done.” - Thomas Jefferson (Background: Pink trees, sky and leaves. A sun with a face on the bottom left, and a jar of stars on the bottom right.)

“If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done.” – Thomas Jefferson

“Face your fears voluntarily: that’s the cure.” - Jordan Peterson. (Background: A psychedelic swirl of purple, blue and pink hues. A confident woman in a smart white dress struts in from the left, and a well groomed man in a white blazer smiling on the left.)

“Face your fears voluntarily: that’s the cure.” – Jordan Peterson

Quotes for the Aspiring Chronic Illness Entrepreneur​

“When we give ourselves permission to fail, we, at the same time, give ourselves permission to excel.” - Eloise Ristad

“When we give ourselves permission to fail, we, at the same time, give ourselves permission to excel.” – Eloise Ristad

“The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” ~ Confucius (Background: Dark rocky mountains above thick fog. To the right is a silhouette of another mountain with a climber helping another up.)

“The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” ~ Confucius

Quotes on Life & Hope​

‘In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.’ -Robert Frost

“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.” – Robert Frost

“The meaning of life differs from man to man, and from moment to moment.” - Viktor Frankl

“The meaning of life differs from man to man, and from moment to moment.” – Viktor Frankl

‘Clay is fashioned into vessels; but it is on their empty hollowness that their use depends.’ - Lao Tzu

“Clay is fashioned into vessels; but it is on their empty hollowness that their use depends.” – Lao Tzu

‘How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.’ – Annie Dillard

“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” – Annie Dillard

‘To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.’ - Oscar Wilde

‘”To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” – Oscar Wilde

‘If life were predictable it would cease to be life, and be without flavour.’ - Eleanor Roosevelt

“If life were predictable it would cease to be life, and be without flavour.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

“Every next level of your life will demand a different you.” - Leonardo Di Caprio

“Every next level of your life will demand a different you.” – Leonardo Di Caprio

“Think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege.” - John D. Rockefeller Jr.

“Think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege.” – John D. Rockefeller Jr.

“Civilisations should be measured by the degree of diversity attained and the degree of unity retained.” - W. H. Auden

“Civilisations should be measured by the degree of diversity attained and the degree of unity retained.” – W. H. Auden

“Maybe life isn’t about avoiding the bruises. Maybe it’s about collecting the scars to prove that we showed up for it.” — Hannah Brencher (Background: Square and rectangle boxes, with text overlaid. A girl with long hair in a ponytail and backpack and jeans strolls along the shore of a calm beach.)

“Maybe life isn’t about avoiding the bruises. Maybe it’s about collecting the scars to prove that we showed up for it.” — Hannah Brencher

“Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today.” - Will Rogers (Minimalist, plain background with light paper texture. Two flowers from a single stem illustration at the mid-bottom. Image is entirely pale beige and fiery orange.)

“Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today.” – Will Rogers

“Let the waves carry you where the light can not.” - Mohit Kaushik Yenugwar (Background: A square portrait of a wave curled in the middle.)

“Let the waves carry you where the light can not.” – Mohit Kaushik Yenugwar

“Live to the point of tears.” - Albert Camus (Background: Silhouette of a girl's back, with long hair and outstretched arms, standing in an open field with bokeh.)

“Live to the point of tears.” – Albert Camus

“Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn, whatever state I may be in, therein to be content.” - Helen Keller

“Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn, whatever state I may be in, therein to be content.” – Helen Keller

“The truth is everyone is winging it.” - Charlie Mackesy

“The truth is everyone is winging it.” – Charlie Mackesy

“Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it. My optimism, then, does not rest on the absence of evil, but on a glad belief in the preponderance of good and a willing effort always to cooperate with the good, that it may prevail.” ― Helen Keller

“Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it. My optimism, then, does not rest on the absence of evil, but on a glad belief in the preponderance of good and a willing effort always to cooperate with the good, that it may prevail.” ― Helen Keller

Quotes on Change​

‘The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.’ -Socrates

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” – Socrates

‘If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude.’ - Maya Angelou

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” -Maya Angelou

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” - Anne Frank

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” – Anne Frank

“Change before you have to.” - Jack Welch (Image of three monochrome statues reaching out towards the top.)

“Change before you have to.” – Jack Welch

“A bend in the road is not the end of the road…Unless you fail to make the turn.” - Helen Keller. (Background: Text in a translucent black box in the centre. A girl in a green sleeveless top is in the centre behind, as she faces a fork in the path.)

“A bend in the road is not the end of the road…Unless you fail to make the turn.” – Helen Keller

“If it costs you your peace, it's too expensive.” - Nassim Nicholas Taleb. (Background: Centre frame of two people having cuppucino and an eclair across the table. Only their hands can be seen.)

“If it costs you your peace, it’s too expensive.” – Nassim Nicholas Taleb

“Just take any step, whether small or large. And then another and repeat day after day. It may take months, maybe years, but the path to success will become clear.” - Aaron Ross

“Just take any step, whether small or large. And then another and repeat day after day. It may take months, maybe years, but the path to success will become clear.” – Aaron Ross

“To get better this year, means getting better today.” - Sheryl Chan, A Chronic Voice

“To get better this year, means getting better today.” – Sheryl Chan, A Chronic Voice (Read the post here.)

Funny Chronic Illness Quotes

‘Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.’ – Will Rogers

“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” – Will Rogers

‘People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing - that’s why we recommend it daily.’ - Zig Ziglar

“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.” – Zig Ziglar

“Life gave me so many lemons I don't know what to do with all the spares. Would you like one?” - Sheryl Chan (A Chronic Voice)

“Life gave me so many lemons I don’t know what to do with all the spares. Would you like one?” – Sheryl Chan, A Chronic Voice

“If at first you don't succeed, have some cake.” “I see. Does it work?” “Every time.” ― Charlie Mackesy, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse (Background: Single large leaves at each top corner. Cupcake with cherry at bottom left. Fruits atop a pink cake on the right next to it.)

“If at first you don’t succeed, have some cake.” “I see. Does it work?” “Every time.” ― Charlie Mackesy, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

Quotes on Grief, Loss & Sorrow

“Grief, like chronic pain, comes and goes. It is the ocean, and I am the shore. I will be broken, but there I remain.” - Sheryl Chan, A Chronic Voice

“Grief, like chronic pain, comes and goes. It is the ocean, and I am the shore. I will be broken, but there I remain.” – Sheryl Chan, A Chronic Voice (Read the post here.)

“For of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: ‘It might have been.’” – John Greenleaf Whittier (Background: Silhouette of mountain range in purples, dark blues and black. Stars at the top border.)

“For of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: ‘It might have been.’” – John Greenleaf Whittier

Quotes on Friendships & Relationships

‘Be your own best friend. Never ever, put yourself down.’ – Paulo Coelho

“Be your own best friend. Never ever, put yourself down.” – Paulo Coelho

“Don’t walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don’t walk behind me, I may not lead. Walk beside me and be my friend.” Albert Camus

“Don’t walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don’t walk behind me, I may not lead. Walk beside me and be my friend.” Albert Camus

Quotes from Poems, Books & Stories

“You are human being. So called for a reason. Not human doing. Just you being, Is wonder enough to make heaven fall still. You are miracle.” - Thuli Zuma

“You are human being.
So called for a reason.
Not human doing.
Just you being
Is wonder enough to make heaven fall still.
You are miracle.” – Thuli Zuma

“Instead of asking yourself, ‘What can I know?’ ask yourself, ‘What, at this moment, am I meant to know?’” - W. H. Auden

“Instead of asking yourself,
‘What can I know?’
ask yourself,
‘What, at this moment, am I meant to know?’” – W. H. Auden

“What is the bravest thing you’ve ever said?”, asked the boy. “Help”, said the horse. “Asking for help isn’t giving up. It’s refusing to give up.” ― Charlie Mackesy, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse (Background: Leafy green tropical border. Colourful unicorn horse illustration at the bottom.)

“What is the bravest thing you’ve ever said?”, asked the boy.
“Help”, said the horse. “Asking for help isn’t giving up. It’s refusing to give up.” ― Charlie Mackesy, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

“Were all stars to disappear or die,
I should learn to look at an empty sky
And feel its total dark sublime,
Though this might take me a little time.”
― W.H. Auden

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