Tattoos are a commitment, but tattooing a quote on your body shows an extra level of devotion. Some of these quote tattoos are inspirational, some reminders, and others show how to get through tough times.
There are quotes from poets and songwriters, as well as idioms that really make you think. Take a look at these 31 meaningful quote tattoos — they may just have you considering what words to tattoo on your body.
Image via jayme.snair.tattoos/Instagram
Couple's version.
This couple's tattoo is such a sweet quote — "To infinity and beyond" — and I love how it's complete only when they are together.
Follow your heart.
In a gorgeous script with a perfect heart arrow, this quote is simply perfect.
Be an adventurer.
This quote comes from the book Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coelho, beautifully tattooed by Santos Moncada of DC Tattoo.
You think you have forever ...
The talented Derek Oliver of Inspired by Ink in Columbus, Ohio, tattooed this quote in a perfect typewriter font.
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Sometimes ...
This quote is a great reminder to keep trying no matter what.
... lives I'm not living.
This quote from the book Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer is a reminder to live life to the fullest. I love the dandelion added in to the tattoo.
Not all those who wander are lost.
Heather saw this quote as graffiti and loved the style in which it was written. This quote is from the poem "All That Is Gold Does Not Glitter" by J.R.R. Tolkien for The Lord of the Rings. And now it's a beautiful tattoo.
I became insane ...
I really love this Edgar Allan Poe quote and it looks great in this font as a tattoo with the black cat. Great work by Corey B, an Indianapolis tattoo artist.
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Think outside the box.
This rad tattoo was done by UK artist Paul Terry. It's tiny and perfect.
Love is pain.
Aussie tattoo artist Benjamin free-handed this knuckle tattoo — and its message, well, we all know it's true. Sometimes.
It's now or never.
Ever need a little push to do something? This tattoo reminds you to go on and do it.
Live & love.
I love knuckle tattoos, and these words "Live" and "Love" tattooed by Emma at Lost & Found Tattoo in Liverpool are perfect.
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Friendship tattoo.
I love the fancy script and the message of this tattoo — a friend is someone who knows everything about you and still loves you.
Child of the universe.
I love how this tattoo — done by tattoo artist Frank C. Sandoval Jr. of Total Commitment Tattooing — has a folk art feel, and the meaning is beautiful. It's a poem from The Desiderata of Happiness by Max Ehrmann.
Lyrical.
"We see things they'll never see" is a line in the song "Live Forever" by Oasis. This tattoo by Steven of Soloart Tattoo is a great way for these two friends to honor their friendship.
I control the things I'll be.
Laura was inspired by the band Bayside's lyrics and art and got this gorgeous bird tattooed on her thigh. Tattoo artist Will Petroff of Wayward Tattoo did an incredible job.
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From "Mending Wall."
I adore this tattoo on Katie — it's a line from the poem "Mending Wall" by Robert Frost.
Fear no evil.
This Psalm tattoo looks amazing down the spine. It was beautifully created by Aaron Jackson, a tattoo artist in Bronx, New York.
When it pains it roars.
Inspired by the Morton Salt girl, the band Jawbreaker used this image with the words "When it pains, it roars." The Morton Salt company has the slogan "When it rains, it pours." Even though Ryan, the bearer of this tattoo, is a chef and loves salt, it's in honor of one of his favorite bands.
Be the change.
This should be everyone's favorite quote. It looks gorgeous on the arch of Becca's foot.
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Be here now.
We love not only this message, but also the typewriter font it is tattooed in.
Keep going.
It is all about the journey, and not just physically, either. This tattoo reminds us of that — keep going. Seeing it artistically entwined in the mountains makes it even more beautiful.
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Learning.
This tattoo of the quote "Ah yes, the past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it" looks so delicate down the spine.
Keep moving forward.
In the same thought as "when the going gets tough, the tough get going," this quote is a good reminder to keep on. We love how it is also surrounded by flowers.
Inspired by song.
Cat Stevens has a lot of great lyrics and we love this one featured in this tattoo in this gorgeous font on a wrist.
Light.
Some quotes can remind us that there is always something positive to see, like this one.
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Two parts.
Two-part tattoos are a favorite, and seeing this "always" on the arm with the heart symbol on the finger put together like this is perfection.
Great motto.
If we live without fear, we strive for wonderful things. We love the intricate feather to go with this saying.
Imagine.
Never underestimate the power of simplicity. This one word inspires so much.
Meditation.
A Buddhist quote really helps maintain the right balance. This one is perfect.
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Love is love.
This beautiful tattoo by Karen Glass is a lovely reminder of what really means everything — and that's love.
