Nowadays it is very common to meet people who have got or are going to get a tattoo. Used since prehistoric times to transmit ideas, reflect important moments or make visible the identity or position of its wearer, the tattoo is an element that allows to express externally internal aspects of the person.

Sometimes this form of artistic expression is based on language, using phrases and maxims that have a particular meaning for the person making them. What these tattoo phrases usually have in common is that they are usually short and deal with universal themes and attitudes to life that speak of the character and personality of the person who wears them.

Unlike what happens with autobiographical quotes that are easy to relate to someone’s life trajectory, these forms of expression are not self-referential in such an evident way, and normally you have to know how to interpret them, or know who wears the tattoo, to know what they mean in each specific case.

80 inspiring phrases for tattooing

Below you can find 80 of the tattoo phrases that best represent the use of this art form . In many cases, pictorial elements such as drawings are added to the sentences in question to allow a better understanding of the sentence.

1. Fall seven times, get up eight times

This phrase motivates us to never give up, no matter how many adversities we encounter. This is one of the best phrases to get tattooed in order to stay motivated.

2. Every saint has a past, every sinner has a future

Oscar Wilde wrote this phrase, which reflects the fact that we can all change.

3. Carpe diem

This well-known Latin phrase encourages us to make the most of our time.

4. The show must go on

The show must go on. Whatever happens, we have to keep going, however much our future prospects are reduced.

5. The time is now

Don’t put off your dreams forever. Fight for them.

6. Stay strong

A short and motivating sentence that encourages us to keep fighting.

7. Breathe

A word that encourages us to calm down and to see things in a calm and perspective way.

8. Veni, vidi, vici

Another typical phrase written in Latin , which tells us about achieving our goals.

9. Cogito ergo sum

This phrase written by René Descartes speaks to us of the need to think and reflect and the fact that this makes us people.

10. Flying with my own wings

Dream, create, live. You don’t depend on the world but on yourself. Do it.

11. If there’s a will, there’s a way

This sentence tells us that there is always going to be a way to achieve our goals if we are willing to strive for them. Nothing is impossible,

12. No more drama

Continuous sadness and melancholy gets us nowhere. It is usually carried by people who have gone through a long period of discomfort and have decided to remind themselves that suffering without meaning is not worthwhile.

13. Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eyes

This phrase, translated from Jackson Brown, tells us that our emotions and feelings allow us to see aspects that are not normally visible in an objective way.

14. There is always hope

Motivating phrase that drives us to live without decay.

15. Forever young

To have a young, dynamic and active soul is what this phrase asks of us.

16. Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional

In life we will feel painful things, but we can choose how we take what happens to us.

17. Let it be

This short and beautiful tattooing phrase pushes us to let go of our worries and to relax and relativize things. It is also the title of a Beatles song.

18. Hakuna Matata

This phrase is known from the film The Lion King. It means to live happily or carefree in the Swahili language.

20. Let your fears go

Don’t let fear paralyze you. It’s not bad to be afraid, but don’t hold on to it. Let it flow.

21. Every breath is a second chance

Whatever happens, as long as we’re alive we can change things.

22. L’art est la vie, la vie c’est l’art

This phrase in French by William Blake indicates that life is an art.

23. Dei fortioribus Adsunt

The gods are with the strong. This Latin phrase pushes us to fight so that we can achieve our goals, since only if we try can we be fortunate enough to achieve them.

24. Alea jacta est

The die is cast. This phrase is used when an effort has been made and all that remains is to observe the result of the effort.

25. We know what we are, but not what we could be.

William Shakespeare is the author of this sentence, which urges us not to limit ourselves.

26. To be or not to be

Another phrase from Shakespeare, specifically from his play Hamlet. It is also common to see his Spanish translation , “To be or not to be”.

27. I have not failed. I have found 10,000 solutions that don’t work

This phrase is popular thanks to Thomas Edison, and indicates that the error is not something to be ashamed of but something to learn from. The number can vary greatly.

28. I am the master of my destiny, I am the captain of my soul

Only you will live your life. You decide how to do it.

29. Never stop dreaming

We all need dreams and goals in our lives. We must not lose hope or stop dreaming.

30. I can resist everything except temptation

Another great line by Oscar Wilde.

31. Actions speak louder than words

Words can be a beautiful thing, but they can be treacherous, while one’s actions are much more evident and in the end that is what ends up having the greatest real effect. One of the best phrases to get a tattoo and make clear our opinion about it.

32. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Whether or not we find someone or something beautiful will depend on our expectations, tastes and preferences, but it does not make it per se beautiful or unappealing.

33. There is no more luck than that which we make for ourselves

This sentence n calls on you to make an effort and not to justify yourself on chance or luck not to achieve your goals

34. Amor est vitae essentia

Love is the essence of life, as this Latin phrase indicates.

35. Live each day as if it were your last

Make the most of the time you have, because you don’t know how long it’s going to last. Live to the fullest.

36. To let go is not to say goodbye, but to say thank you

The fact that a relationship ends does not necessarily mean a cold goodbye, but we must remember how good that person has brought us.

37. One step at a time

We must not rush. The way to be happy and achieve our goals is not usually immediate, but it is a long process with many steps in between.

38. Everything happens because of something

Everything that happens in our lives ends up taking us somewhere. Both good and bad are part of our lives and lead us somewhere.

39. Not everyone who wanders is lost

This phrase, written by Tolkien , reflects that the fact of looking for new goals, objectives and illusions does not imply being lost in life.

40. Happiness is a journey, not a destination

Many people become obsessed with wanting to be happy and try to be so at all costs, forgetting to try to enjoy themselves.

41. Destiny is not a matter of a chance. It’s a matter of choice

This phrase by William Jennings reflects that our life is not preordained. What we live will be largely determined by our choices.

42. Always believe in yourself

Sometimes we can face situations that make our self-esteem wobble. But we must always believe in ourselves and our possibilities.

43. You only live once

That is why it is necessary to make the most of our time.

44. Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet

Again, in this sentence by Roger Miller we are called upon to live by accepting pain and daring to face it .

45. A small stumble can prevent a big fall

Accepting that we make mistakes makes us learn. Avoiding them and not admitting them can mean that in the end we have not learned and that in the event of a disaster the situation is insurmountable.

46. Everything is relative

This phrase from Einstein makes us see that there is nothing that is absolute, and our perception of the facts can vary according to the circumstances surrounding each situation.

47. The truth will set us free

Knowledge of the truth allows us to act and adapt successfully.

48. If you believe everything you read, it is better not to read

This Japanese proverb encourages us to think critically and draw our own conclusions, without basing our opinions on what others tell us.

49. Laugh as much as you breathe, love as much as you live

This phrase reflects the need to see the positive side of life, with joy and love being some of the main elements that make us happy.

50. Inhale the future, exhale the past

Let go of what has already happened and try to focus on what is happening and what is to come.

51. Without madness there is no happiness

We’re not automatons. Follow your instinct and dare.

52. One eye open. The other dreaming

In this sentence we are called upon to find a balance between reality and dreams .

53. The best is yet to come

We have a lot to live for, and a positive outlook will make us enjoy it much more.

54. The wise can change his mind. The foolish, never

This phrase reminds us that it is not bad to make mistakes, and that it is good to be able to be flexible and value other points of view. Our opinion is just that, not an absolute truth.

55. The purpose of our lives is to be happy

It is a phrase that urges us to not forget to live with the aim of being happy and to make those around us happy.

56. Fly high

Don’t limit your dreams. Pursue them with intensity.

57. Don’t dream your life, live your dream

Don’t just imagine what you want, fight for it.

58. If you want peace, prepare for war

Life is not easy. Let’s be prepared to face the bad.

59. Only God can judge me

What others think of a person is indifferent. We all have our own, and no one has the right to judge us. Another version that does not refer to God is “Only I can judge myself.

60. Never forget

Never forget who we are, what we have lived and who has accompanied us on our journey. One of the best phrases for tattooing and that can be applied to many moments, people and situations .

61. Respect is not imposed, it is earned

A reminder that gaining the approval and respect of others does not mean arousing their fear, but quite the opposite.

62. Walker there is no path, one makes a path by walking

This part of Antonio Machado’s poem tells us that there is no pre-established destiny, but that we carve it out for ourselves.

63. Live and let live

A phrase that encourages us to live our life without trying to influence others excessively, respecting their freedom.

64. Je ne regrette rien

Part of the lyrics of Edith Piaf’s famous song, this phrase indicates that we do not regret anything.

65. Never say never

We don’t know what life has in store for us, so we can’t be sure what we’ll end up doing or thinking.

66. Better to die on your feet than to live on your knees

The freedom to choose is something fundamental for us to build our own life. This phrase instructs us not to allow people, situations, states or diseases to dominate or limit our lives.

67. Victoria Concordia Crescit

The former Arsenal slogan is also a beautiful Latin phrase that indicates that victory is achieved through harmony. The point is not to go to extremes but to seek a middle ground.

68. While there is life, there is hope

Whatever happens, there will always be new opportunities and elements that allow us to get excited and live.

69. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger

That which harms us makes us learn and strengthen ourselves.

70. All you need is love

Love is the most important thing, and it is all we need or at least a big part of it to be happy. Besides, it’s the title of a well-known Beatles song.

71. Drop by drop, the river is made

The achievement of a goal is achieved through a continuous effort, taking small steps until we reach our objective. This sentence also reflects that the union makes the force , if we manage to organize ourselves with the others it is easier to achieve the common objectives and to arrive at the wished point.

72. Mens sana in corpore sano

Usually tattooed by athletes, this phrase reminds us of the benefits of caring for both mind and body and that one affects the other (and vice versa).

73. Do it or don’t do it, but don’t try it

This phrase, known to have been uttered by the character of Yoda in one of the films of the Star Wars saga, tells us not to give up. We must not be satisfied with just trying, but must persist in achieving our goals.

74. Don’t worry, be happy

This phrase, known by the song with the same title, encourages us to stop worrying about everything and focus on living. This is one of the best phrases to remember that the important thing is to try to live our lives.

75. Forever / Forever

This phrase is usually used either as a reminder of a deceased person or as a promise of love.

76. In one kiss, you will know all that I have kept silent

This beautiful phrase by Pablo Neruda reflects the need to express what we feel and how we usually hide it from those we love.

77. Semper fidelis

Always faithful. This phrase can have many meanings. It speaks to us of loyalty and fidelity, which can be to one’s partner, to one’s family, to one’s friends, to a particular ideology or to oneself.

78. Be Yourself

This phrase urges us not to let ourselves be carried away by what others believe, but to be authentic and to act according to our convictions.

79. When a door is closed, a window opens

We may lose opportunities in life. But it’s not the end. New ones will always arise.

80. La vita è bella

We can laugh or cry, we can suffer or be happy… life is full of contrasts, but throughout life we will find wonderful things. Even in the worst moments, life is beautiful.