The 10 Best Book Quotes to Live By

When we need a little wisdom, we turn to books.

open book of best book quotes

Anyone who's a lifelong reader knows that the books we read help shape who we are and how we think. And the very best characters and stories are the ones that we love to quote, from the favorite books we read as children to the classic books we read as adults. Below are, in our humble opinion, ten of the best book quotes to guide the way you live. If we missed your favorite, let us know in the comments!

Related: Inspirational Book Quotes in the Time of Coronavirus 

Want more great books? Sign up for the Early Bird Books newsletter and get the best daily ebook deals delivered straight to your inbox.

Yes! I also want to get The Reader newsletter featuring book deals, recommendations, and giveaways.

The Time Machine

By H. G. Wells

“It sounds plausible enough tonight, but wait until tomorrow. Wait for the common sense of the morning.” —H.G. Wells, The Time Machine

Invisible Man

By Ralph Ellison

“Life is to be lived, not controlled; and humanity is won by continuing to play in face of certain defeat.” —Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man

Jane Eyre

By Charlotte Brontë

"Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity or registering wrongs." —Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre

Anna Karenina

By Leo Tolstoy

"It's much better to do good in a way that no one knows anything about it." —Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina

East of Eden

By John Steinbeck

“And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.” —John Steinbeck, East of Eden

The Witches

By Roald Dahl

"It doesn't matter who you are or what you look like, so long as somebody loves you." —Roald Dahl, The Witches

The Scarlet Letter

By Nathaniel Hawthorne

“No man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be the true.” —Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter

The Great Gatsby

By F. Scott Fitzgerald

“Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone … just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.” —F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

Great Expectations

By Charles Dickens

“We need never be ashamed of our tears.” —Charles Dickens, Great Expectations

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

By J.K. Rowling

“It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be.” —J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Want more great books? Sign up for the Early Bird Books newsletter and get the best daily ebook deals delivered straight to your inbox.

Yes! I also want to get The Reader newsletter featuring book deals, recommendations, and giveaways.

Keep Reading: 12 To Kill A Mockingbird Quotes to Make You Understand People

Featured photo via Florencia Viadana / Unsplash 

This post is sponsored by Open Road Media. Thank you for supporting our partners, who make it possible for Early Bird Books to continue publishing the book stories you love.