40 Greatest Spanish Quotes about Life

Spanish sayings about life and beautiful picture quotes in Spanish

Are you looking for a way to deepen your appreciation of the Spanish culture and language?

If so, learning some inspiring Spanish quotes about life could be just what you need!

Latin America and Spain have had their fair share of valuable contributors who have offered wisdom throughout the centuries.

Whether planning an upcoming trip to Mexico or reflecting on your travels through Madrid, these uplifting sayings provide insight into how Spaniards approach life.

Here are a few quotes from prominent figures in Spanish history that highlight the beauty and passion inherent in Spanish culture.

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1. La libertad está en ser dueños de nuestra vida

This is a philosophical quote ascribed to Plato and it may inspire you to live your life in a genuine way.

The literal meaning of this phrase is ‘Freedom consists of owning your own life’.

It can be used when a friend is feeling a little bit down because he or she is going through a difficult moment.

Indeed, it is the perfect quote to cheer him or her up!

It’s also one of the most popular Spanish Instagram captions.

2. La vida es corta. Vive apasionadamente y siente la felicidad.

Some Spanish phrases about life try to emphasize the importance of making the most of it.

Precisely, this is the aim of La vida es corta. Vive apasionadamente y siente la felicidad; which is to say that ‘Life is short. Live passionately and feel happiness’.

It is a good way to remind oneself of the importance of putting sadness aside and seize the moment.

3. Que tus sueños te lleven a la vida que te haga feliz.

Most inspirational quotes in Spanish will encourage you to follow your dreams and to fight for them.

If someone is doubting his or her value, it is your duty as a friend to let him or her know that trusting their instincts is crucial to achieving their goals.

In this case, que tus sueños te lleven a la vida que te haga feliz; which can be translated as ‘Let your dreams guide you to a happy life’, can be used to show your support.

If you’ll watch some movies set in Spain, you’ll likely come across this Spanish quote.

4. Uno siempre vuelve a los lugares donde amó a la vida

One of the most famous Spanish sayings about life is uno siempre vuelve a los lugares donde amó a la vida.

The literal meaning of this quote is ‘Everybody comes back to the places where he or she loved life’.

It is useful to talk about places that made you happy or to justify traveling to a place you have been before.

5. Sonríe a la vida y la vida te devolverá esa sonrisa

‘Smile at life and it will give you back that smile’ can be appropriate if someone shows a negative attitude towards life.

This phrase may make your friends aware that being joyful in adverse circumstances can be the key to reversing the situation.

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6. Si la vida te da limones… ¡pide sal y tequila!

There are also some funny Spanish phrases about life you should know. Si la vida te da limones…¡pide sal y tequila! is one of the most popular quotes to lighten the mood.

Its literal translation is ‘If life is giving you lemons.. ask for salt and tequila!’

Lemons are characterized by their acidity, which is usually unpleasant. However, they are an essential part of a Tequila shot.

In this sense, this Spanish quote says that a difficult situation can become completely different depending on your attitude.

Moreover, it reminds you that when life is nasty, you can decide to take the positive side and to keep moving. 

7. Arriesga y haz que tu vida valga la pena.

When your acquaintances start doubting their abilities, they may become passive in the face of life’s opportunities.

When this happens, the moment to force their awakening starts.

Arriesga y haz que tu vida valga la pena means ‘Risk and make your life worthy’ and it will surely motivate your friends to reach their goals.

8. No tengas miedo a perder en la vida, porque así es como se aprende a ganar.

There are several Spanish quotes about life with a similar meaning to the one mentioned in the previous section.

No tengas miedo a perder en la vida, porque así es como se aprende a ganar can be translated as ‘Do not be afraid to lose in life, because that’s how you learn to win’

As you may notice, this phrase is ideal to encourage your friends to act to get what they want.

9. La única persona que necesitas en tu vida, es aquella que demuestra que te necesita en la suya.

Self-empowerment seems to be the topic of the century.

Consequently, it seems relevant to include some Spanish quotes about life and love that will immediately affect your self-esteem.

That’s why you should remember that La única persona que necesitas en tu vida, es aquella que demuestra que te necesita en la suya, whose literal translation is ‘The only person you need in your life is the one who shows that he needs you in his’.

10. La vida empieza al final de tu zona de confort.

If you are looking for some short Spanish quotes about life, La vida empieza al final de tu zona de confort is easy to remember.

It means ‘Life begins at the end of your comfort zone’, and it is useful to encourage people to take the risks that will lead them to success.

This saying can also be said as a great Spanish love quote or a friendship quote in Spanish.

11. Eres la casualidad más bonita que llegó a mi vida

There are also romantic Spanish phrases that will make your partner feel how special he or she is in your life.

As an example, I have selected eres la casualidad más bonita que llegó a mi vida. It can be translated as ‘You’re the most beautiful chance that ever came into my life’, which is the perfect quote to write in the note that is usually delivered with bouquets of flowers.

12. La suerte para triunfar en la vida se llama: creer en ti

Spaniards are quite optimistic, that’s why when searching for positive quotes in Spanish on the Internet, you will probably find a lot of them.

One of my favourite phrases about life is La suerte para triunfar en la vida se llama: creer en ti. The meaning of this sentence is ‘The luck to succeed in life is called: believe in you’.

I consider it particularly important to constantly remind those surrounding you, especially if they are children, as it will positively impact their self-perception. 

13. En esta vida no hay nada como un buen amigo

Some of the most beautiful Spanish phrases about life highlight the importance of having good friends to have a happy one.

En esta vida no hay nada como un buen amigo means ‘In this life, there’s nothing like a good friend’. Nothing else needs to be added and I can’t agree more.

14. La vida es un paraíso para quienes aman apasionadamente

In order to express that passionate people live better, you can opt for the following cute Spanish quote: La vida es un paraíso para quienes aman apasionadamente.

Its literal translation is ‘Life is a paradise for those who love passionately’ and may be taken as a reminder to make the most of your life.

15. En la vida algunas veces se gana, otras veces se aprende 

Several Spanish quotes with meaning are related to life. One of the most popular ones is En la vida algunas veces se gana, otras veces se aprende, that means ‘In life sometimes you win, sometimes you learn’

It is attributed to the American writer John Maxwell, and it can be used when someone has made a mistake but the situation offers the possibility to learn from it.

16. Las cosas más hermosas de la vida no se pagan con dinero

Las cosas más hermosas de la vida no se pagan con dinero deserves a special place in my personal list of cute Spanish quotes.

The main reason to consider it like that is that this phrase recognizes the importance of simple pleasures.

This quote can be translated as ‘The most beautiful things in life aren’t paid for with money”

17. Nunca es demasiado tarde para una segunda oportunidad en la vida

When faith is lost, this Spanish quote about life may cheer you or your friends up because it is to say ‘It’s never too late for a second chance in life’.

Indeed, it’s always positive to remind yourself that difficult times go by and the sun will shine again soon, so don’t get discouraged because opportunities await!

18. La vida se mide en los momentos que te dejan sin respiración

There are several famous Spanish sayings about life, but this is a versatile one. Its literal significance is ‘Life is measured in the moments that leave you breathless’.

So I want to wish you have a lot of them during your lifetime!

19. Hoy es el primer día del resto de tu vida 

‘Today is the first day of the rest of your life’ is one of the most famous Spanish quotes about life. Indeed, it may be considered as a motivational phrase that could make everyone’s day!

It is suitable when a new experience has begun and you would like to make sure that, those who are going through it, are aware of its importance.

20. Ríete todos los días y no habrás desperdiciado ni un solo momento de tu vida

Being happy is essential to have a memorable life and this cute Spanish quote may be appropriate to highlight the importance of being in a good mood. 

Ríete todos los días y no habrás desperdiciado ni un solo momento de tu vida means ‘Laugh every day and you won’t have wasted a single moment of your life’

21. La vida es una aventura que tenemos el privilegio de disfrutar

The key to happiness is to treasure all the moments life gives us. If we want to express this feeling in Spanish we can say La vida es una aventura que tenemos el privilegio de disfrutar.

Among all the quotes in Spanish about life, it is one of the most heard ones. Its literal significance is ‘Life is an adventure we are privileged to enjoy.

22. La vida siempre nos da oportunidades para ser felices

There is a wide list of motivational quotes in Spanish but La vida siempre nos da oportunidades para ser felices is a short and easy to remember one. 

It can be translated into English as ‘Life always gives us opportunities to be happy’, and it may suit those situations in which a friend needs to hope that better times will come.

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23. Vive la vida al máximo

‘Live life to the fullest’ in Spanish is Vive la vida al máximo. It is used not only to make everybody aware of the importance of making the most of each situation but also to remind it yourself.

Moreover, this phrase is among the most popular in captions of Instagram pictures about travels and unique experiences.

24. La vida está llena de segundos que son oportunidades para compartir y sonreír

It is important to mention one of the most beautiful Spanish quotes about friendship and life.

La vida está llena de segundos que son oportunidades para compartir y sonreír means ‘Life is full of moments that are opportunities to share and smile’, which is ideal to recognize the value of a friendship that enriches your life.

25. Contigo mi vida brilla y mi corazón palpita más deprisa

Combining life and romantic Spanish quotes are also possible.

If you are looking for a cute Spanish phrase to show your beloved that you appreciate the special moments you share, Contigo mi vida brilla y mi corazón palpita más deprisa may be perfect.

Its literal meaning is ‘With you my life shines and my heart beats faster’.

26. La vida está llena de oportunidades, solo necesitamos estar abiertos a ellas

Some Spanish quotes about strength highlight the importance of resilience.

This phrase empathizes the need to pursue our goals.

The literal significance of La vida está llena de oportunidades, solo necesitamos estar abiertos a ellas is ‘Life is full of opportunities, we just need to be open to them’. 

27. De todo se aprende en la vida

Inspirational quotes in Spanish about life are common. However, De todo se aprende en la vida is used to let other know that everything you go through in life will teach you a lesson that you should appreciate.

Indeed, it is positive to make mistakes if you can remember what they were useful.

This phrase can be translated as ‘You will learn from everything that happens to you during your life’

28. En la vida es necesario tener tres cosas: salud, dinero y amor

Some good Spanish quotes list the most important things in life. En la vida es necesario tener tres cosas: salud, dinero y amor means ‘In life it is necessary to have three things: health, money and love’.

As you may notice, this Spanish quote expresses that the most valuable assets in life are health, money, and love. What do you think about it? Do you agree?

More Spanish sayings about life

Learning the language of a new culture is part of the excitement and adventure of travel, as it can help broaden your cultural understanding.

Here, we’ll explore some beautiful Spanish sayings related to life that will give you insight into native language etiquettes and precious nuggets on navigating life’s ups and downs!

29. La vida es aquello que te va sucediendo mientras te empeñas en hacer otros planes. – John Lennon
(Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.)

30. La vida es como una bicicleta, para mantener el equilibrio debes seguir adelante. – Albert Einstein
(Life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance, you must keep moving forward.)

31. La vida es corta, la sonrisa es breve, pero da alegría. – Proverbio español (Life is short, the smile is brief, but it brings joy.)

32. La vida es un sueño, y los sueños, sueños son. – Pedro Calderón de la Barca
(Life is a dream, and dreams are but dreams.)

33. La vida no es la que uno vivió, sino la que uno recuerda, y cómo la recuerda para contarla. – Gabriel García Márquez (Life is not what one lived, but what one remembers and how one remembers it to tell the tale.)

34. La vida es una sucesión de lecciones que deben ser vividas para ser comprendidas. – Helen Keller
(Life is a succession of lessons that must be lived to be understood.)

35. La vida es una obra de teatro que no permite ensayos… Por eso, canta, ríe, baila, llora y vive intensamente cada momento de tu vida… antes que el telón baje y la obra termine sin aplausos. – Charles Chaplin
(Life is a play that does not allow rehearsals… So, sing, laugh, dance, cry, and live intensely every moment of your life… before the curtain falls and the play ends without applause.)

Quotes in Spanish about life

The phrases and quotes used by native speakers convey meaning beyond what’s written in books and offer insight into life through thought-provoking stories and metaphors.

Quotes in Spanish are especially impactful, as they capture the spirit of their culture with simple yet powerful messages stemming from literature, music, poetry, film… even everyday conversations!

36. La vida es aquello que te pasa mientras estás ocupado haciendo otros planes. – Allen Saunders
(Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.)

37. La vida es una aventura audaz o no es nada en absoluto. – Helen Keller
(Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.)

38. La vida es como un espejo: te sonríe si la miras sonriendo. – Jim Morrison
(Life is like a mirror: it smiles at you if you look at it smiling.)

39. La vida es un sueño y los sueños, sueños son. Pero los sueños de algunos son la realidad de otros. – Jean Paul Sartre (Life is a dream, and dreams are but dreams. But the dreams of some are the reality of others.)

40. La vida es una oportunidad, benefíciate de ella. La vida es belleza, admírala. La vida es un sueño, alcánzalo. – Madre Teresa de Calcuta (Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. Life is beauty, admire it. Life is a dream, reach for it.)

Want more? Have a look at my web story about Spanish quotes about life.

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Short FAQ about Spanish Quotes About Life

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