37 Calm Quotes That Will Bring You Inner Peace
Updated: May 12, 2023
Take a deep breath and consider these brief life lessons to embrace peace and serenity.
Keep calm and carry on
Keeping calm and carrying on, as the old saying goes, seems easier said than done lately during such tense and unpredictable times. However, it is in these sorts of situations that it’s even more important to stay grounded and cultivate our inner peace. And what better way to get in the right state of mind than by reading some calm quotes that will stay with you throughout the day? From philosophers to writers to comedians, these visionaries and their quotes will help you breathe easier. Afterward, be sure to continue the good vibes with these hopeful quotes, life-changing quotes, and uplifting quotes.
Silence is golden
“Silence is the element in which great things fashion themselves together.” —Thomas Carlyle
Everyday life is so full of hustle and bustle, which is why it’s important to take a few moments of quiet time for yourself each day. Even better? There are plenty of ways to relax without spending a cent, which will further ease your mind.
Life’s quiet joys
“There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude, a quiet joy.” —Ralph H. Blum
Counting your blessings and thinking about what you’re grateful for goes a long way in calming your mind and spirit. Try starting a gratitude journal to document all of those good things in your life.
Paddle on
“Be like a duck. Calm on the surface, but always paddling like the dickens underneath.” —Michael Caine
Keeping calm and working hard are not mutually exclusive. Rather, allow your calm demeanor to power your work, like the duck in this calm quote. Visually calming pictures can do the trick, too!
Be the sky
“You are the sky. Everything else is just the weather.” —Pema Chodron
When you’re able to put things into perspective, the world doesn’t seem like such a scary place. Remember your strength as you go about your day, and don’t be afraid to dream big.
Temper your blood pressure
“Opportunity seldom rises with blood pressure.” —Jarod Kintz
Staying grounded will allow more opportunities to flow your way. The workplace is often a major source of stress, but there are easy ways to make your workday (and really, every day of your life) less stressful.
Today’s fire
“Yesterday is ashes, tomorrow wood. Only today does the fire burn brightly.” —Old Eskimo Proverb
Living in the present is vital to maintaining a peaceful and balanced life. Rather than thinking obsessively about the past or worrying about the future, this wise quote reminds us to focus on the here and now.
The problem with worry
“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows. It empties today of its strength.” —Corrie Ten Boom
Very rarely do stress and anxiety produce something productive. Try to put these worrisome feelings to the side in order to accomplish more in the present moment.
A beautiful mind
“You cannot perceive beauty, but with a serene mind.” —Henry David Thoreau
Being centered doesn’t just allow you to feel more confident in yourself—it also lets you see the beauty of the world around you. And really, what can be more wonderful than that? Rainbows are just one example of the natural beauty that can be found in life.
The peace within
“There can be no peace without but through peace within.” —W.E. Channing
To become peaceful and centered, you first need to work on yourself. These internal changes will eventually become apparent externally, as W.E. Channing so eloquently describes.
In a world of your own
“Within you, there is a stillness and sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.” —Hermann Hesse
Getting to know your true self is half the battle in becoming grounded. Meditation is a helpful way to do this: Spending a few minutes a day with your true self can make all the difference.
The power in calmness
“Calmness is the cradle of power.” —Josiah Gilbert Holland
While sometimes it can seem as though the loudest people in the room are the most powerful, in reality, those who are able to control themselves will undoubtedly have better luck getting through to others.
Trust the universe
“Don’t try to force anything. Let life be a deep let-go. God opens millions of flowers every day without forcing their buds.” —Osho
Whether or not you’re religious, this calm quote speaks to the idea of slowing down, taking your time, and not rushing through life. Things will work out.
The little things
“Rule number one is, don’t sweat the small stuff. Rule number two is, it’s all small stuff.” —Robert Eliot
When you place your life and its actions in the context of the bigger picture, things often turn out to be less stressful than you may think. Learning how to feel in control, even when it seems like everything is going wrong, is one way to start.
Set your goals
“Set peace of mind as your highest goal, and organize your life around it.” —Brian Tracey
Saying you’re going to find your inner peace is one thing, but actually doing it is something else entirely. Dedicate your life to your happiness and watch as opportunities unfold.
Mind over matter
“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.” —William James
Your mind can be your greatest motivator—but also your greatest doubter. Put mind over matter by choosing to focus on the positive.
Perfection is a state of mind
“When you realize how perfect everything is, you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky.” —Buddha
Realizing that perfection is just a state of mind will release you from the stress and anxiety in trying to create the “perfect” lifestyle. Buddhism is one practice that focuses on mindfulness and letting go.
Live in the now
“Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.” —Oprah Winfrey
You can always count on Oprah for some memorable words of wisdom. In this calm quote, she reminds us of the fleetingness of life and the necessity of gratitude.
The art of doing nothing
“How beautiful it is to do nothing, and then to rest afterwards.” —Spanish Proverb
In our busy world, it may seem like doing nothing equals laziness. In reality, taking a bit of time every day to simply do nothing can take effort—especially when you’re not used to it!
More of this
“More smiling, less worrying. More compassion, less judgment. More blessed, less stressed. More love, less hate.” —Roy T. Bennett
Remember to focus your energy on all the positives in your life rather than the negatives. Put simply: More of the good stuff, less of the bad.
Be here
“Stress is caused by being ‘here’ but wanting to be ‘there.'” —Eckhart Tolle
Living in the moment is a major way to reduce stress and cultivate your inner peace. Don’t think about what you wish you were doing; rather, think about what you enjoy about the things you’re doing now.
Let it go
“One of the best ways to reduce stress is to accept the things that you cannot control.” —M.P. Neary
Letting go equals feeling calmer. Really, it’s as simple as that. For the things that you can’t control in your life, try not to worry about them—instead, let them play out as they may. How else can you let go of stress? A little laughter can go a long way, and these funniest quotes of all time can help.
Live for yourself
“Stress, anxiety, and depression are caused when we are living to please others.” —Paulo Coelho
Author Paulo Coelho reminds us that in order to obtain true peace and happiness, we must live for ourselves rather than for others. Coelho isn’t the only author with insightful quotes. Some of the best quotes can be found in your favorite books.
A stress-free diet
“The elimination diet: Remove anger, regret, resentment, guilt, blame, and worry. Then watch your health, and your life, improve.” —Charles F. Glassman
Understanding which emotions not to focus on is just as important as understanding which emotions you should be focusing on. Lessening the use of negative emotions in your life is sure to unlock your inner peace.
Action and reaction
“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” —Maya Angelou
This poignant quote from Maya Angelou reminds us that although we may not be in control of what happens to us, we’re certainly in control of how we react to what happens to us.
The body is a vessel
“Understand this and be free: We are not in our bodies; our bodies are inside us.” —Sean A. Mulvihill
Understanding that your self-worth isn’t tied to your body can set you free.
Some R&R
“Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are.” —Chinese Proverb
Allowing yourself to relax and get some much-needed rest can give you the breathing room to focus on something else, like exploring your unique inner life and strength. Don’t be who you think you’re supposed to be; be who you are.
Be deliberate
“For fast-acting relief, try slowing down.” —Lily Tomlin
This simple yet effective calm quote from actress Lily Tomlin is the quick reminder we all need in our lives: that going slow and being deliberate will end up taking us further than rushing about. Slowing down and cutting yourself some slack are just a couple of things happy people do every day.
Brain power
“Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answers.” —William S. Burroughs
In this calm quote, author and artist William S. Burroughs reminds us of the power of the mind and the trust that we should place in ourselves.
A confidence boost
“Calm mind brings inner strength and self-confidence, so that’s very important for good health.” —Dalai Lama
Not only will being calm release stress, anxiety, and tension, but it will also boost your self-confidence and self-love, as the Dalai Lama says. And really, who doesn’t want that?
Rise and shine
“Today start your day with a smile, calmness of mind, coolness of emotions, and a heart filled with gratitude.” —Anonymous
Ever heard of first thought, best thought? If you begin to incorporate mindfulness and gratitude practices into your morning routine, you’ll find yourself becoming that much closer to finding the inner peace and strength you desire.
Patience is a virtue
“Be patient. Life will offer you another chance as soon as you find calm within, for abundance is born out of calmness.” —Leon Brown
Ever feel as though something fell into your lap when you least expected it? That’s often how the world works. Continue to be calm and allow things to come your way in their own time. Simply doing that can open up a universe of possibilities.
The simplicity of life
“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” —Confucius
Don’t let the absurdities of modern life and society get you down; remember that at its core, a life worth living is one filled with happiness, love, and peace. These happy quotes are sure to brighten your day.
The greatest strength
“Your strength is your calmness, in the clarity of your mind. Strength comes from putting the negative aside without reacting. Win in calmness, in consciousness, in balance.” —Yogi Amrit Desai
Being able to maintain calmness and balance in the face of adversity is a type of superpower unto itself.
Calm as the sea
“The mind is like water. When it’s turbulent, it’s difficult to see. When it’s calm, everything becomes clear.” —Prasad Mahes
A calm mind and a happy heart are all one needs to get through life. Happy people say these positive affirmations every day.
The pleasure is mine
“In calmness lies true pleasure.” —Victor Hugo
This calm quote from French poet Victor Hugo puts it very succinctly: Being calm equals being happy.
Breathe in, breathe out
“Breath is the power behind all things. I breathe in and know that good things will happen.” —Tao Porchon-Lynch
Breathing is the key to peace. Taking a few minutes each day to sit still with your breath is sure to ground you and lift your spirits.
Get free
“There will be calmness, tranquility when one is free from external objects and is not perturbed.” —Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee said it best: True inner peace comes from within. Embrace true freedom by not internalizing the opinions, thoughts, and judgments of others. Next, check out these powerful kindness quotes that will stay with you.
