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157 Tattoo Quotes Ideas with Pictures for 2019

Tattoo quotes are a crowd favorite perfect for a meaningful tattoo and great for those who are new to tattoos, or for someone who just loves a particular quote! Plus they don’t break the bank.

This page is meant to give you some inspiration for your tattoo quotes, and some of these tattoos aren’t perfect, but most of them are good examples of good tattoo quotes.

CLICK TO SKIP TO TATTOO QUOTES AND PICTURES

Our compilation contains all types of quote tattoos like meaningful tattoo quotes, tattoo quotes for men, and tattoo quotes for girls.

At the end of this page we also have some information for you, but for now enjoy the tattoos!

157 Awesome Tattoo Quotes Pictures

1. All work and no play makes jack a dull boy…

the shining tattoo quotes

This is a quote from the 1980 horror film by Stephen King called The Shining. The man in the picture is Jack Torrance (played by Jack Nicholson.)

The design of this tattoo is very interesting and is well done, bravo.

2. Pain is temporary quitting lasts forever

pain is temporary tattoo quote

We have all heard this before, but where did it come from? I believe it is a shortened version of Lance Armstrong’s famous line:

“Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.”

—Lance Armstrong

Makes a great quote for a tattoo.

3. Carry the fire

carry the fire tattoo quotes

This could be a quote from “The Road” a book about a father and son fending for themselves during an apocalyptic event.

“Carry the fire” can be interpreted to mean the hope and good in humanity during this time. This tattoo is a beauty.

 4. No rest for the wicked

no rest for the wicked back tattoo quote

“No rest of the wicked” is a popular line and it has been used a lot, so this tattoo could be inspired by a lot of different things.

The birds might give a clue, but your guess is as good as mine. I love the saying though and it makes a good tattoo!

5. Into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul

tattoo quotes for explorers

A quote from John Muir, also known as John of the Mountains, a man who spent most of his life protecting the wild.

The design is very fitting for this tattoo quote.

6. If I am going to spend eternity visiting this moment and that, I’m grateful that so many of those moments are nice

tattoo quote on arm

A quote from the book Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut.

A simple tattoo quote with above average length. It seems like the sentences could have been straighter (text tattoos are hard to make look “straight,”) but overall a nice tattoo.

7. I didn’t die for nothing

casket tattoo quotes

I am not sure what this quote means or where it came from, but I am in love with the casket and scythe.

8. How do you run from what’s inside your head?

alice in wonderland tattoo quotes

I think this is a line from Alice in Wonderland, but I am not 100% sure so don’t quote me on that (heh.)

I’m actually really digging the butterfly (moth?) a lot in this tattoo design.

9. I love you more than I could ever put into words. Your darling husband xo xo xo

tattoo quotes about love

Tattoo quotes about love always make me aww! This seems to be a wife who has tattooed a part of a letter from her husband.

10. The crownless again shall be king

lord of the rings tattoo quote

A quote from the movie The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R Tolkien. If you look up the rest of the quote, the broken blade makes a lot of sense and is very well designed tattoo.

11. If you truly love nature you will find beauty everywhere

vincent van gogh tattoo quotes

One of Vincent Van Gogh’s lines. I love the script they used for this tattoo quote.

12. Il faut imaginer sisyphe heureux

forearm tattoo quotes

This is quote from The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus.

This is in French. It essentially means “one must imagine Sisyphus happy.” Sisyphus, a cruel Greek king who is being punished, is the one pictured in the tattoo pushing the boulder up the hill.

Once he nears the top, the boulder rolls back down the hill, and he must start over again.

The quote means we should try to find meaning in what you’re doing even if it seems meaningless. Assign your own meaning to your life and be happy.

I really like the idea of this tattoo quote.

13. Create memories

short tattoo quotes create memories

A short quote tattoo about creating memories. Not much to say other than it seems well done.

14. She is clothed with strength & dignity and laughs without fear of the future

proverbs 31:25 tattoo quote

A quote from Proverbs 31:25 NLT

A good sentiment to have, and makes a good tattoo!

15. The things that make me different are the things that make me

rib tattoo quotes

Learn to love the unique things about yourself, even the stuff that might seem like bad qualities. At the end of the day this is what makes you, you!

Who knows? Stuff you perceive as bad can actually be good if you learn to look at them differently.

A wonderful tattoo.

16. Then out spake brave Horatius, the captain of the gate: to every man upon this earth death cometh soon or late. And how can man die better than facing fearful odds, for the ashes of his fathers, and the temples of his gods

tattoo quotes on rib

A quote from the Lays of Ancient Rome by Thomas Babington Macaulay.

Longer tattoo quotes on ribs are good since that is probably the best spot for long quotes, but be careful, rib tattoo quotes can be painful!

17. Being happy never goes out of style

tattoo quote on forearm being happy

A line from Lilly Pulitzer, a fashion designer, and she was right!

18. We will meet again

we will meet again tattoo quotes

I can’t tell for sure from the picture, but I think this is two different people with the same tattoo quote.

Could be tattoo quotes about family?

19. Everything was beautiful, and nothing hurt

kurt vonnegut tattoo quotes

Another quote from Kurt Vonnegut’s book the Slaughterhouse-Five.

20. I will either find a way or make one

tattoo quote on forearm

Tattoo quotes and guys usually end up with something like this, but I like it.

21. Doing what you like is freedom liking what you do is happiness

As for tattoo quotes with meaning, this one speaks to me. Not sure where it comes from, though.

22. Beauty lies within the heart

vertical tattoo quotes on ribs

Another tattoo quote on the ribs. I think it is well done.

23. And in that moment I swear we were infinite

short tattoo quote infinite

A shortened quote from the book The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

This looks to be the on the wrist. You need to be cautious with tattoo quotes on the wrist because they tend to fade.

24. You will cope well

memorial tattoo quotes

A memorial tattoo quote. The person tattooed a part of their late father’s last birthday card to them on their wrist.

A great reminder from Dad.

25. Absolute Lithops Effect

band name tattoo quotes

This is a band’s name.

26. Speaker for the Dead

speaker of the dead quote tattoo

Speaker for the Dead is a sequel book for the book Ender’s Game.

The moth is pretty cool looking. Reminds me of the The Silence of the Lambs VHS cover as well.

27. Just breathe

short tattoo quote on wrist

Short quotes to tattoo are a favorite for the wrist.

28. Don’t go losing sleep scared of shadows…

back tattoo quotes

Lyrics from the song Emmylou by Vance Joy. To me this tattoo quote means to stop worrying about the bad possibilities.

What do you think?

29. Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live

long tattoo quote on arm

Tattoo quotes about love are always welcomed. This one has a nice script going for it, too!

30. We’re all mad here

we're all mad here tattoo quotes

Another Alice in Wonderland quote.

31. Sky above me, earth below me, fire within me

tattoo quotes on chest girl

Tattoo quotes on chest area are probably the better placements for medium length tattoos like this one.

They curve well with the natural curvature of the area. Love this tattoo!

32. God damn it be kind

god damn it be king tattoo quote

A tombstone with the words “God damn it be kind,” seems like someone was mad about the inhumanity in the world even on their deathbed.

This is another quote from Kurt Vonnegut.

33. Let the monsters see you smile

quote tattoo on forearm

This seems to be from the song Life is Beautiful by Vega 4.

For tattoo quotes on the forearm, this type of placement is probably one of the better choices.

34. Ask her if she still keeps all her kings inthe back row

tattoo quotes on back

A quote from the controversial book Catcher in the Rye by

J. D. Salinger

35. I am not afraid to walk this world alone

wrist tattoo quote

Lyrics from Famous Last Words by My Chemical Romance.

36. And if I fly or if I fall. Least I can say, I gave it all

tattoo quotes for men

Some of the lyrics from Sissy That Walk by RuPaul. I can see this as a motivational tattoo, sweet.

37. Fear is the mind-killer

fear mind killer quote tattoo

A snippet of a quote from the book Dune by Frank Herbert. I get a little anxious so I can agree with this one.

This tattoo would be a good reminder for myself to stop worrying so much.

38. I find faith with you

tattoo quotes for love

Not sure where the quote is from, maybe it is an original, but I dig the chain-smoking skeleton!

39. In the end, I want my heart to be covered in stretch marks

tattoo quotes about love

Like I said tattoo quotes for love are my weak spot, but this one is quite clever.

A heart filled with love will have stretch marks!

40. I was not built to break

tattoo quotes about strength

Tattoo quotes about strength are one of the more popular choices.

This quote is from a Whitney Houston song.

41. You don’t need to climb a mountain to know that it’s high. The ship is safest when it’s in port, but that’s not what ships were built for.

multiple tattoo quotes

The first part of this quote seems to be off. I think the first comma should be removed.

The first quote is from the book Aleph by Paulo Coelho.

The second quote is from the book The Pilgrimage also by Paulo Coelho

42. She strikes without purpose

grim reaper tattoo quotes

A cool grim reaper tattoo with lyrics from the song Serpents by Neck Deep.

43. Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt

tattoo quotes on thigh

We have seen a similar one earlier, so I won’t be repeat, but this tattoo has a different design. Which one do you like more? I like the roses.

44. Never tell me the odds

star wars tattoo quotes

A Star Wars quote with really food line work in my opinion. Added to the tattoo quotes forearm collection.

45. I grew a flower that can’t bloom in a dream that can’t come true

bts tattoo quote

A cherry blossom design with lyrics from the Korean pop group BTS’s song Fake Love.

46. What we do in life echoes in eternity

gladiator tattoo quotes on leg

One of the more famous lines from the movie Gladiator (2000) Tattoo quotes for men typically fit this type of theme, and I love it.

47. These pretzels are making me thirsty

seinfeld quote tattoo

A quote from one of the numerous funny moments in the hit TV show Seinfeld.

48. Wild horses couldn’t drag me away

quote tattoo on forearm

Lyrics from The Rolling Stones’ hit song wild horses.

A perfect choice for the forearm. I also like the script used.

49. Rage, rage against the dying of the light

tattoo quotes on thigh

This is from the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. I like the font used for this tattoo.

50. Not today;

not today tattoo quotes

This seems to be a tattoo meant to prevent self-harm. I believe the semicolon represents Project Semicolon, an organization that aims to prevent suicide.

I like this tattoo. I feel like it represents “owning” your past, but also helps conquer the bad days to come.

51. Though these sheltering wall are thin, may they be strong to keep hate out and hold love in

tattoo quote on back

I’m not quite sure where this back tattoo quote comes from, but I think it is a sermon of some sort.

This is very well done, and a good spot for this length of a quote.

52. Keep moving forward

tattoo quote on back

Simple but effective. This short tattoo quote reminds us to keep moving and not to dwell on the past.

Also, if someone happens to be lagging behind this shirtless man, they’ll get a decent reminder.

53. Drink the wild air

drink the wild air tattoo quotes

A shortened quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson.

The full quote reads:

“Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

54. A smooth sea never made a skillful sailor

chest tattoo quotes

This is one of the tattoo quotes with meaning I can get behind. Essentially, those who do not struggle can never grow.

The ship is really well done in my opinion.

55. Ain’t that just the way

leg tattoo quotes

This tattoo seems to be lyrics from the song Ain’t That the Way by Lutricia McNeal.

The design seems to be sad teapot entangled by some maple branches. Not sure if that imagery appears in the music video, but I dig it.

56. I solemnly swear that I am up to no good

tattoo quotes on chest harry potter

A quote from one of the very popular Harry Potter books Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

I like the placement on the chest with this one. The script could be a tad bit better, though.

57. Life, uhh… finds a way

tattoo quotes on leg

I think this quote is used in Jurassic Park, but I am not sure.

The tattoo design seems to be an evolving Jesus’ fish, which is somewhat contradictory by design, of course.

58. It was not always like this, of course. On occasion it’s been worse

arm tattoo quote

This quote is from the book Grendel by John Gardner.

I have never read the book, but this tattoo seems to give off the air of someone who is down on their luck, but has had it worse.

59. Are you a man? Are you a bag of sand?

tattoo quotes for girls

Song lyrics from Man / Bag of Sand by Frightened Rabbit.

I’m not too sure what the quote itself is supposed to mean, but the design of this tattoo is something I can get behind.

60. Time will prove everything

Not too sure where this one comes from, but if you think about it, time can also disprove things. So this tattoo must be talking about something specific.

Pretty good placement on the forearm.

61. Everything happens for a reason

rib tattoo quotes

This is a saying popular for tattoos since it says so much in a few words, and I bet most people can get behind the meaning too.

Decent script and a nice spot on the ribs.

62. Pray for peace, prepare for war

tattoo quotes about war

This seems to be a slightly modified translation of the Latin phrase “Si vis pacem, para bellum” which translated into English means “If you want peace, prepare for war.”

A popular tattoo quote for men.

63. So it goes

so it goes tattoo quotes

Another popular saying from Kurt Vonnegut. He seems to be quite popular because I see his words pop up often for tattoos.

I love the design. I wonder if this is something from the book Slaughterhouse-Five?

64. My eyes have seen the glory

fishing tattoo quote

It is quite obvious this person is a fisher, but where is the quote from? It seems to be from the Battle Hymn of the Republic. The only difference being that the original is “mine” instead of “my.”

I wonder what meaning this tattoo has for this person?

65. You keep me wild – You keep me safe

 tattoo quotes about love

I cannot find the exact source of this quote, but it seems to be a popular for tattoo quotes for couples like we have here.

The foot placement is nice, but there seems to be a line weight difference between the two. I wonder if the tattoo on the right is newer?

66. I’m not from this world

tattoo quotes on arm

This is a lyric from the song—not surprisingly—I’m Not from This World by Nine Inch Nails.

I love the addition of the UFO. It is quite fitting.

67. My story isn’t over yet ;

semicolon tattoos

Another example of a my story isn’t over yet tattoo with a semicolon. Remember, the semicolon represents the organization Project Semicolon, whose mission is to help people overcome suicidal thoughts.

68. There’s always sunshine after the storm

optimistic quote tattoo

A reminder to keep looking forward to the sunshine while in a storm, which of course isn’t supposed to be taken literally.

It means that even though things are bad now, they’ll eventually get better. The placement on the arm is great.

69. Hold on 2 your butts

Jurassic park quote tattoo

A Jurassic Park reference with a fitting dapper Dinosaur. A wonderfully thought out arm tattoo quote.

70. If that’s all there is my friends, then let’s keep dancing

tattoo quotes on thigh

This is a tattoo of song lyrics from the Is That All There Is? By singer Peggy  Lee with a wonderful flower design.

71. Life is for the brave

tattoo quotes about strength

My take on this tattoo is that it is meant to be a quote about strength and courage.

72. Go and love some more

tattoo quote for love

This is line is spoken by Maude in the 1971 film Harold and Maude. This is clearly a tattoo quote about love and the design has excellent line work.

73. You may be gone from my sight, but you are never gone from my heart

memorial quote tattoo on thigh

A meaningful tattoo quote which is clearly a memorial for someone loved. Sentimental tattoos like this always get to me.

I love the contrast of the stem from the rest of the flower.

74. Lead me, follow me, or get the hell out of my way

strength tattoo quotes

A quote from George S. Patton Jr., in his book Patton Principles. 

George S. Patton Jr must have been someone who didn’t mind being led by people who he thought were capable leaders, and also didn’t mind leading those who wished to follow him—but he definitely did not like those who were apathetic.

75. “Why‽”

short tattoo quotes why

Simple tattoo quote of the word why with a interrobang (! and ? merged into one character.) I wonder what the meaning behind this one is?

76. If everything’s a dream, don’t wake me

calf quote tattoo

This is quote is from the popular oldie video game for the PlayStation called Final Fantasy 7 (FFVII.) The design even has Cloud’s buster sword!

77. Fearfully and wonderfully

Pslam 139:14 tattoo quotes

The full version of this quote is “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” from Psalm 139:14 (NIV)

78. Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet.

foot quote tattoo stars

The foot is a perfect spot for this tattoo. Too bad it will only be a decent reminder when their shoes are off or when they are wearing sandals.

One of the few tattoo quotes in this compilation that include the author as well.

79. Will you follow me wherever my mind goes

tattoo quotes for love

A lotus tattoo with some of the lyrics from the song Aquarium by Mac Miller.

80. Words are like bees, some create honey and others leave a sting

bees tattoo quote

Doesn’t this speak the truth!

81. Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light

tattoo quotes harry potter

The second Harry Potter book tattoo quote featured in this post. This one is also from the book Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling.

82. It echoed loudly within him because he was hollow at the core

heart of darkness tattoo quotes

This is one of my favorite tattoos featured. This is a quote from the book Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. A book often studied by English Literature and Studies students.

I’m impressed with the rib cage on this one.

83. For her I’d risk it all, because of her I will not fall

couple tattoo quotes love

A mother-daughter duo or maybe a couple? It is hard to tell from this photo, but either way this is a tattoo quote about love or a tattoo quote about family. I can get behind both!

84. A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed

gun rights quote tattoo

A tattoo of the 2nd amendment with a big American eagle.

85. The strongest people are not those who show strength in front of us, but those who win battles we know nothing about

tattoo quotes about strength

A tattoo quote about strength. I can agree with the sentiment behind this one. Sometimes the strongest people are those who quietly fight battles within themselves, but there is nothing wrong with asking for help when needed.

86. Too weird to live, too rare to die!

too weird to live too rare to die tattoo quotes

A big, awesome design accompanied by the name of Panic! At the Disco’s fourth studio album. Tattoo quotes can song lyrics, book lines, TV show lines, or anything you like.

87. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you

forearm quote tattoo

From Isaiah 43:2 NLT

The full quote is:

“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.”

Beautiful, isn’t it?

88. I am not throwing away my shot

tattoo quotes on arm

This could be from Hamilton. It could also be a “not going down without a fight” tattoo quote on the arm.

89. Get in loser

tattoo quotes ideas

This tattoo quote is pretty humorous! It is a well-design tattoo of an alien picking up his human buddy.

90. We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars

tattoo quotes on thigh girl

Oscar Wilde is the original speaker of this tattoo quote on a thigh.

91. Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.

star wars tattoo quotes

Yoda’s wise words from Star Wars with a wonderful watercolor design with light sabers.

Love this side tattoo quote.

92. Of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these, it might have been

take chances tattoo quote

Written by John Greenleaf Whittier, this saying means to take chances instead of regretting it later down the line.

93. I solemnly swear that I am up to no good

harry potter tattoo quotes

Another Harry Potter tattoo quote, but this one has a wand and feather. The font is very well chosen.

94. Throughout the pain, throughout the fear, just know that I am here ;

semicolon tattoo quotes

Another semicolon tattoo, this time on a male, who has chosen to use lyrics from the song “F*ck the Yankees.” which I think fits very well.

95. Crazy is crazy but not insane

not crazy quote tattoo

A short tattoo quote on the side of the ribs. I’m not quite sure where this quote comes from.

96. This too shall pass! I am a warrior!

strength tattoo quotes

The phrase this too shall pass is often used for tattoo quotes about strength.

It is always good to have a reminder that good things are ahead when you are having a bad time.

97. You’re the same decaying organic matter as everything else

fight club tattoo quotes

I really, really like this design and I think Chuck Palahniuk’s line from Fight Club really fits this tattoo very well.

98. Without struggle there is no progress

without struggle no progress tattoo quote

Another quote tattoo about strength, this one has some watercolor and an arrow, which is pretty cool.

99. If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn’t. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn’t be. And what it wouldn’t be, it would. You see?

alice wonderland tattoo quotes leg

Another Alice in Wonderland Tattoo. This one has a very ambitious design but it is pulled off very well.

100. Everything happens for a reason

forearm tattoo quote

A everything happens for reason tattoo. I think these type of tattoo quotes appeal to people because it helps them cope with life’s curve balls.

101. My story isn’t over yet

my story isnt over yet tattoo quotes

The third my story isn’t over tattoo, though this one doesn’t have the semicolon, the sentiment is there still.

102. I have an everlasting itch… for things remote

meaningful tattoo quotes

One of the better tattoo quotes for adventurers. This quote is from the book  Moby-Dick, or, the Whale by Herman Melville.

Tattoo quotes on forearms with designs like this are hard to pull off, but this is well executed.

103. Live the life you love; Love the life you live

cool quote tattoo

Getting a tattoo quote on the wrist and a design is really hard, but this genius idea of using the words themselves to form the infinity design.

104. No gods, no masters

anarchy quote tattoo grim reaper

Anarchy! This is a very popular anarchists saying, and it fits well with the grim reaper design.

105. Love yourself xo

love yourself tattoo quote

Like I said, tattoo quotes about love really get to me, even if it is about loving yourself.

The lavender is cool too!

106. See you space cowboy…

anime tattoo quotes

This might seem a little off, but that is because this is paying homage to the older but popular anime Cowboy Bebop. At the end of the show this exact quote is shown on screen.

107. Stay humble

stay humble rib tattoo quote

This tattoo quote on the rib is short and sweet. Kendrick Lamar? Maybe not… The saying has been around for a bit.

108. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth

tattoo quote on arm with design

A sheep surrounded by a quote from Matthew 5:5.

109. Keep your face towards the sunshine and the shadows will fall behind you

tattoo quotes for girls thigh

Walt Whitman is the originator of this tattoo quote about being positive. The butterflies add a nice touch.

110. Drink the wild air

drink the wild air tattoo quotes

Our second drink the wild air tattoo, this time with a little heart and a name.

111. Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise

tattoo quotes with meaning

A famous quote from the famous book Les Misérables by author Victor Hugo on a watercolor background.

112. This is your life and it’s ending one minute at a time

fight club tattoo quotes

Here is a Fight Club tattoo again, but this time this quote is said by Tyler Durden. 

The watch is a nice touch and I like how it is disintegrating, adding to the sentiment of the quote.

113.  If you have a pulse, you have a purpose

short tattoo quotes

Using both wrists to fit two shorter tattoo quotes to create a longer meaningful one is genius.

114. Take every chance, drop every fear

no fear tattoo quote

Dr. Seuss, who was a famous children book author, teaches children lessons they carry into adulthood, and this is proof.

115. When the demon that’s inside you is ready to begin. And it feels like it’s a battle that you will never win. When you’re aching for the fire and begging for your sin. When there’s nothing left inside, there’s still a reason to fight

tattoo quotes for men

Lyrics from A Reason To Fight by Disturbed. 

Honestly this one was a little hard for me to read.

116. Life before death, strength before weakness, journey before destination

strength tattoo quotes

Tattoo quotes for strength have been pretty popular for a long time now. 

117. Everything was beautiful, and nothing hurt

everything was beautiful and nothing tattoo quote

I believe this is the third everything was beautiful, and nothing hurt tattoo featured, only this time it is on a tombstone.

This must be a popular quote.

118. I move the stars for no one

rib tattoo quotes girl

A tattoo quote on ribs from the famous David Bowie’s song Within You.

119. All was well

short quotes to tattoo

Short quotes to tattoo are popular because they’re easy to fit and can convey a lot.

Yet again, this is from Harry Potter.

120. Let sleeping dogs lie

tattoo quote on back of arm

Idioms make good tattoo quotes ideas. Just make sure you pick one that is widely used; otherwise, people might not get it.

121. Trial of miles, miles of trials

hiker tattoo quote on back

This guy is clearly a hiker judging by this tattoo. The line work in the font seemed off to me at first, but now I think it feels more authentic. It reminds me of an old sign put up who knows when.

122. Hope anchors the soul

hope tattoo quotes

Tattoo quotes for girls usually use this type of script.

123. Normal is an illusion. What is normal for the spider is chaos for the fly

tattoo quotes with meaning

This is in my top three for sure. The credit for this goes to Charles Addams, the creator of The Addams Family.

The spider really pops.

124. Strength is what we gain from the madness we survive

tattoo quotes strength

A good example of a quote tattoo about strength. This one travels vertically through her back.

125. It can’t rain all the time

tattoo quotes guys

This quote is from the movie the The Crow, so the crow in the design is very fitting.

126. There’s a bluebird in my heart that wants to get out

meaningful tattoo quotes

A beautiful poem “Bluebird.” written by Charles Bukowski with a black and white heart, and a wonderfully colorful bluebird.

127. Rise up

short tattoo quote on chest

Tattoo quotes on the chest are usually short like this one on this girl.

128. I’ve got the world to go

tattoo quotes ideas

Song lyrics seem to be very popular choices for tattoo quotes. This one is from Frank Sinatra’s song I’ve Got the World on a String. I think…

129. Light is easy to love. Show me your darkness

tattoo quote about love

This is a quote from the book Darkchylde by R. Queen.

130. That means we love you. Grand-pa & Grand ma

tattoo quotes about family

Looks like this is a tattoo quote of this person’s grandparent’s letter to them.

131. Let it be

short quote tattoo

Let it be is a popular saying for short tattoo quotes. The script on this one is pretty cool.

132. Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tries, and a touch that never hurts.

tattoo quotes meaningful

These words were spoken by Charles Dickens, unfortunately I think this tattoo has an error. “tries” should be “tires” I think.

133. It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live

dreams quote tattoo

This tattoo quote on arm reminds us to actually pursue dreams to make them into reality.

Another Harry Potter tattoo from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

134. I suppose it will all make sense when we grow up

calvin hobbes tattoo quote

Obviously a quote from Calvin and Hobbes. I love the tattoo, the artist did really well. 

Also, it still doesn’t make sense to me and I have been a legal adult for a while now…

135. I am not afraid, I was born to do this

i am not afraid tattoo quotes

This tattoo quote on the forearm is a modern English version of Joan of Arc’s words that are a little long to put here.

136. I believe I can

inspirational tattoo quotes

Tattoo quotes for girls are often inspirational like this one.

137. Well, if they freed me from this prison, If that railroad train was mine, I bet I’d move it on, a little farther down the line

awesome tattoo quotes

An awesome design of Johnny Cash with some lyrics of his and Willie Nelson’s song Folsom Prison Blues. 

My second favorite tattoo.

138. Don’t look back… We’re not going that way

quote on back tattoo

This guys tattoo quote on his back reminds us to focus on the future and not the past.

139. You save my life. I save yours. That’s how we work. Until the end

quote tattoos

This particular quote is from the book Dark Days by Derek Landy.

140. In war, victory. In peace, vigilance. In death, sacrifice

video game tattoo quotes

Video game quotes can also make great tattoos. This one is from Dragon Age and is accompanied with what looks like a coat of arms.

141. I have lived a thousand lives and I’ve loved a thousand loves. I’ve walked on distant worlds and seen the end of time. Because I read

tattoo quotes for readers

A cool watercolor and book design with a tattoo quote for those who love to read.

142. Find what you love and let it kill you

charles bukowski tattoo quote

Allegedly spoken/written by Henry Charles Bukowski, but there is a lot of debate on that.

Though pizza probably is slowly killing me…

143. Too weird to live, too rare to die

too weird to live too rare to die tattoo quotes

Panic! At the Disco again. This tattoo features a panda/wolf hybrid? Ha.

144. Too weird to live, too rare to die

too weird to live too rare to die tattoo quotes

Once more. a Panic! At the Disco too weird to live too rare to die tattoo, this time with a Halloween vibe.

145. I’m tired of this place

im tired of this place tattoo quote

Not much too say about this one since I can’t find a concrete source on the quote, so it might be original. 

146. As long as there is someone in the sky to protect me there is no one on earth who can break me

thigh quote tattoo

A religious tattoo quote on a thigh. Not sure if this is from somewhere specific or not.

147. Keep your chin up; Hang in there

double quote tattoo on arms

A funny way to portray these usually pep-talk type sayings into something more, uh… darker tattoo.

148. Physical violence is a waste of flesh. Unconditional love is scarce.

meaningful tattoo quote on back

This looks like an older tattoo, but the message is still clear.

149. Never lose your sense of outrage

never lose your sense of outrage tattoo quotes

Tattoo quotes on the forearm usually have this type of font since it is less prone to blurring.

This is a quote from Senator Bernie Sanders.

150. Let it hurt until it can’t hurt anymore

quote tattoo about hurting

I cannot find a source on this, but I think this tattoo means to take problems head on and eventually they’ll be solved.

151. worry often gives a small thing a big shadow

quote tattoo about worry

Often cited as a Swedish Proverb, I think this tattoo on this girls forearm means that focusing on small problems can make them seem bigger than they are.

152. Everything was beautiful, and nothing hurt

everything was beautiful and nothing tattoo quote

Wow, I think this is our fourth everything is beautiful tattoo, but I am a fan of the design.

153. “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies,” said Jojen. “The man who never reads lives only one.”

reader tattoo quotes

A line by George R.R. Martin, Game of Thrones author, that most definitely speaks to all the book lovers out there.

A perfect quote for those who love to read.

154. Take these broken wings and learn to fly

broken wings quote tattoo

Song lyrics from Mr. Mister’s song Broken Wings.

155. Hate without reason

forearm tattoo quotes

This seems to be an original tattoo quote idea, there is a second tattoo below.

156. Love without cause

quotes tattooed on forearm

The second part of the tattoo quote above.

157. Be the change

Tattoo Quotes and Sayings

This tattoo means to strive to be the person who changes things rather than hoping someone else does it for you.

Thanks for looking through these photos. Hopefully you’ve gained some inspiration.

We have some information for you below.

Tattoo Quotes Considerations and Common Mistakes People Make

This is going to be a permanent and meaningful tattoo quote that’ll follow you for the rest of your life. You owe it to yourself to make sure everything is of the highest standard, after all, you deserve it—right?

So in this section we’re going to help you do just that.

We’ll be going over the most important things you’ll want to cover and mistakes to avoid before getting your quote tattoo.

But if you are not up for all the reading, no problem. We have a summary at the end which can be used as a checklist.

GO TO SUMMARY

Mistake #1 Not Double Checking Spelling and Grammar of Your Tattoo Quotes

Someone finds a quote they like on some website (like this very one) and gets it tattooed without double checking it.

Unfortunately for them, their new tattoo quote has a spelling or grammatical error they didn’t catch, which could have been avoided by double checking it.

Honestly, this happens more often that you would think.

Do not be this person! Double checking is an important part of tattoo quotes!

Make sure the quote has proper grammar and spelling. You need to double or even triple check before taking the quote to your tattoo artist.

The correct author is also important if you are going to add it to your tattoo quote.

A good way to quickly check spelling is to type the quote into Google and see if suggests any spelling corrections. Double check once more using a different method and you should be set for spelling.

Google will also display results related to your quote. Use these results to double check that everything is accurate.

You could also use a website dedicated to quotes to look up your chosen quote. Chances are, they provide the correct grammar and spelling of you chosen tattoo quote with the correct author. Still double check though!

I recommend these websites:
https://www.goodreads.com/quotes
https://www.brainyquote.com/

After that, you need to make sure the tattoo artist does not make a mistake on your stencil before you let them tattoo it. While most artists take the time to double check their work—do not assume that they will or that tattoo artists are unable to make mistakes.

Mistake #2 Not Fact Checking Your Tattoo Quotes

There are a couple of things you should fact check before getting your meaningful tattoo quotes done.

First and Foremost; Context Matters

Make sure the person your chosen quote is attributed to is someone you are okay being associated with. Not all the nice sounding words said throughout history are from good people.

Bad people can say things that sound fine on their own, but when added into the overall beliefs of the person saying them, suddenly they mean something entirely different.

So take care that the quote cannot be interpreted as a belief you do not believe in, and the person who originally said it is not someone with beliefs you are against.

Some People Never Actually said the Famous Quote Often Credited to Them

Elementary my dear Watson.


Sherlock Holmes

You heard this quote before, right? It is pretty famous one; unfortunately, the fictional character Sherlock Holmes never said this line.

There are tons of examples like this, so if you care about accuracy do some research; otherwise, it is probably fine either way since most people probably will not care.

Mistake #3 Choosing a Bad Spot for a Lengthy Quote Tattoo

You want to choose a place on your body with enough space to fit the tattoo while keeping it readable from at least a few feet.

That long quote you want as a tattoo? It isn’t going to fit on your wrist. Short tattoo quotes fit on places like the wrist! Do not try to squeeze long quotes into places obviously too small.

You might have a more reasonable spot that’ll barely fit the tattoo, but keep in mind—if you are squeezing letters together to make it fit—it won’t look good and it will start to turn into a blob of ink later down the line.

Typically the tattoo artist will assist with this part, and they probably know best, so please take their advice.

Ask them about spots that will fade over time so you can avoid getting tattooed on them.

Personally I would stick to short tattoo quotes. They are easier to place, easier to add into a design of some sort, and do not take up a lot of real estate on your body.

But hey long quotes can work too. Just your time and do not rush it, and you will be fine.

Mistake #4 Picking a Font/Script for Your Tattoo Quote That Is Not the Right Size or Hard to Read

Font or script is a very important aspect of any tattoo quotes, and if this is just glossed over, you are going to have a less than ideal tattoo.

You will want a font or script that can be read easily without having to really concentrate on it, make sure it is not too small.

Not only is small font hard to read, it can also end up blurry down the line, which will make the tattoo look more like a blob of ink instead of text.

On top of this, you will want a font or script that fits the overall “mood” or “emotion” of the quote.

A frilly font is probably not going to fit a quote tattoo about the atrocities of war for example. Unless that clash is something you are going for, it is best to choose something more fitting.

Again, this is something your tattoo artist can assist you with. Ask them questions.

Find some ideas for font here

Mistake #5 Not Taking Care of a New Quote Tattoo

A freshly done tattoo is an open wound. It needs to be taken care of, not only for health reasons, but for the longevity of the tattoo as well.

You spent money on this, and it’ll stick with you for a long time, it doesn’t make sense not to take care of it.

Follow your artists instructions, and if you think something is going wrong with the tattoo, let them know.

If you think something is seriously wrong with the tattoo, like an infection, visit a doctor!

Find out how to take care of a new tattoo

Summary of Quote Tattoo Mistakes and Considerations

Avoid Common Tattoo Quotes Mistakes by Doing the Following:

  1. Double check spelling and grammar (even quotes found on this website!)
  2. Fact check your tattoo quotes (Who said it? Can this mean what I think it means? etc.)
  3. Choose a spot big enough for your quote tattoo
  4. Pick a font/script that fits the mood of your tattoo quote, and make sure it is easy to read
  5. Take care of your fresh tattoo for health and the longevity of the tattoo

Follow this checklist and it will help you get the perfect meaningful tattoo quote! Please comment below if you have questions, tattoo quotes ideas you’d like to share, or would like to correct a mistake in the article or comments.

Hope you enjoyed.

Resources:
Tattoo fonts
Tattoo aftercare
Find tattoo quotes at:
https://www.goodreads.com/quote
https://www.brainyquote.com/

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