62 Funny Inspirational Quotes To Brighten Your Day

It’s no secret that sometimes life gets the better of us and we need a little pick-me-up. No matter if it’s an especially bad day at work, the kids are acting out, or something else entirely, sometimes laughter truly is the best medicine. When you combine humor with inspiration, you get the perfect remedy for life’s challenges.

Whether you need something funny and inspirational for yourself or to send to a friend who could use some encouragement, this collection of funny inspirational quotes will have you laughing out loud while also providing some genuine wisdom to help you power through difficult times.

Hilariously Wise Celebrity Quotes

Celebrities often have a unique way of looking at the world, and many have shared observations that are both funny and surprisingly insightful. Here are some celebrity quotes that will make you laugh while giving you something to think about:

‘Life is hard. After all, it kills you.’ — Katharine Hepburn

This classic Hepburn quote reminds us that we’re all in the same boat, facing life’s challenges with whatever grace we can muster. Her dry wit perfectly captures the ultimate reality we all face while somehow making it seem less daunting.

‘A good rule to remember for life is that when it comes to plastic surgery and sushi, never be attracted by a bargain.’ — Graham Norton

Leave it to talk show host Graham Norton to deliver practical life advice with a side of humor. Sometimes the best wisdom comes packaged in jokes that make us both laugh and nod in agreement.

‘I’m sick of following my dreams, man. I’m just going to ask where they’re going and hook up with ’em later.’ —Mitch Hedberg

The late comedian Mitch Hedberg had a gift for one-liners that were absurd yet contained kernels of wisdom. This quote offers a refreshingly laid-back approach to pursuing dreams that might actually reduce anxiety for many overachievers.

‘The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age.’ — Lucille Ball

The iconic comedian Lucille Ball shares her humorous take on aging gracefully, with a little white lie thrown in for good measure. Sometimes honesty mixed with a touch of deception is the perfect recipe for getting through life.

‘You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.’ — Mae West

Mae West, known for her witty one-liners and bold personality, reminds us that life’s quality matters more than quantity. Her cheeky wisdom encourages us to make the most of every moment rather than wishing for more time.

Short Funny Quotes That Pack a Punch

Sometimes the briefest statements carry the most impact. These short quotes deliver both humor and wisdom in just a few words:

‘If you can’t be kind, at least be vague.’

This gem of advice works on multiple levels – it’s funny, practical, and surprisingly ethical. When complete kindness feels out of reach, a bit of ambiguity might be the next best thing.

‘There is no such thing as fun for the whole family.’

Anyone who has tried to plan a family vacation or even a simple movie night knows the truth in this statement. It’s a humorous acknowledgment that pleasing everyone simultaneously may be an impossible dream.

‘Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.’

This cleverly reframes forgiveness not as a moral imperative but as a strategic move, making it both funny and surprisingly motivational for those struggling to let go of grudges.

Philosophical Humor for Life’s Big Questions

Some quotes tackle life’s deepest questions with a humorous twist that makes philosophy more accessible and enjoyable:

‘When I hear somebody sigh, ‘Life is hard,’ I am always tempted to ask, ‘Compared to what?” — Sydney J. Harris

Journalist Sydney J. Harris offers this perfect response to complaints about life’s difficulties, reminding us that perspective matters and that we lack a control group for comparison when it comes to existence.

‘Those people who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do.’ — Isaac Asimov

The brilliant science fiction author Isaac Asimov playfully pokes fun at intellectual arrogance while displaying a bit of his own. It’s a humorous reminder that certainty often comes before a fall.

‘In the beginning, the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move.’ ― Douglas Adams, The Ultimate Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Douglas Adams had an unparalleled ability to make cosmic questions hilarious. This quote from his beloved Hitchhiker’s series somehow manages to both trivialize and illuminate the human condition in one fell swoop.

TV Characters’ Wisdom That Transcends the Screen

Some of the most relatable wisdom comes from fictional characters who voice thoughts we’ve all had but couldn’t quite articulate:

‘I’m not so good with the advice. Can I interest you in a sarcastic comment?’ — Chandler Bing, ‘Friends’

Chandler from ‘Friends’ captures how many of us feel when friends come to us with problems. His self-awareness about his limitations, paired with his offer of what he can genuinely provide, is both funny and refreshingly honest.

Encouragement With a Side of Humor

These quotes offer genuine encouragement while making you smile, the perfect combination for getting through tough times:

‘My favorite thing to do on this planet is to play games. And if you don’t enjoy games, then you’re really missing the point of what this life is.’ — RuPaul

RuPaul’s perspective on life as a game worth enjoying serves as a reminder not to take everything so seriously. There’s wisdom in approaching challenges with playfulness rather than dread.

‘True friends are those who really know you but love you anyway.’ — Edna Buchanan

Pulitzer Prize-winning crime reporter Edna Buchanan offers this humorous but touching definition of friendship that acknowledges our flaws while celebrating the connections that transcend them.

Finding Humor in Failure and Perseverance

Some of the most inspirational quotes acknowledge failure but put a humorous spin on it, making setbacks seem less devastating:

‘I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.’ ―Thomas A. Edison

Edison’s reframing of his many attempts to create a working light bulb shows how perspective can transform what looks like failure into part of a larger success story. His humor makes perseverance seem more manageable.

‘Stay afraid, but do it anyway. What’s important is the action. You don’t have to wait to be confident. Just do it and eventually the confidence will follow.’ —Carrie Fisher

The beloved actress and writer Carrie Fisher offers this honest approach to courage that acknowledges fear rather than pretending it doesn’t exist. Her practical wisdom makes bravery seem more accessible to everyone.

Life Lessons With a Chuckle

These quotes offer genuine life lessons wrapped in humor, making the medicine go down with a smile:

‘The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.’ —Eleanor Roosevelt

The former First Lady’s encouragement to embrace life fully serves as a reminder that playing it safe rarely leads to fulfillment. Her enthusiasm for experience is contagious and motivating.

‘Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.’ —Etty Hillesum

This quote from Holocaust victim Etty Hillesum offers profound perspective on what truly matters. Her focus on tiny moments of peace provides comfort for overwhelming days.

‘You need to be buried deep in the dirt before you can find your bloom.’ ―Roz Inga

This gardening metaphor for personal growth reminds us that difficult periods often precede our greatest flourishing. The imagery makes hardship seem like a natural and necessary part of development rather than something to be avoided.

Quotes About Living Your Best Life

These quotes encourage authentic living with a humorous acknowledgment of life’s realities:

‘Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.’ ―Marilyn Monroe

Monroe’s celebration of the unusual and imperfect offers liberation from striving for an impossible ideal. Her preference for the ridiculous over the boring encourages bold living.

‘It is never too late to be what you might have been.’ ―George Eliot

This quote from novelist George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans) offers hope to late bloomers everywhere. Its encouragement to pursue dreams regardless of age or circumstance has timeless appeal.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can funny inspirational quotes help during difficult times?

Funny inspirational quotes combine humor with wisdom, triggering positive emotional responses that can reduce stress hormones while also providing perspective. Laughter activates the release of endorphins, your body’s natural feel-good chemicals, creating a physiological shift that can help you cope with challenges more effectively.

What makes a quote both funny and inspirational?

The best funny inspirational quotes usually contain an unexpected twist or perspective shift that surprises us into laughter while simultaneously offering genuine wisdom or encouragement. They often acknowledge life’s difficulties but frame them in ways that make them seem more manageable or even absurd.

How can I use these quotes in my daily life?

Consider starting a quote journal to record your favorites, setting them as phone backgrounds or computer screensavers, sharing them with friends who need encouragement, or even framing ones that particularly resonate with you. Some people find it helpful to select a “quote of the week” to reflect on when facing challenges.

Where can I find more funny inspirational quotes?

Beyond this collection, you can find funny inspirational quotes in memoirs by comedians and other celebrities, collections of quotations, social media accounts dedicated to humor and inspiration, and even in dialogue from your favorite films and TV shows.

Author

Shinta

 

Shinta is a biotechnologist turned writer. She holds a master's degree in Biotechnology from Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences and a PG Diploma in cellular and molecular diagnostics from Manipal University. Shinta realised her love for content while working as an editor for a scientific journal.

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