40+ Inspiration for Quote Tattoos: What’s Your Favorite?

We all have one quote or mantra that helps keep us centred and inspired. You might have this quote written on your fridge, on a keyring, or written down in your journal. But what about taking it a step further and getting it permanently inked on your skin?

As well as looking cute and pretty, the biggest benefit of getting a quote tattoo is that you can play around with the font to create something unique to you. If you like old manuscripts, you can get inked in a feather quill style font, if you like the aesthetic of typewriters, you can get yours printed in that specific key-print look. The sky’s the limit in terms of font and you can spend as long as you like choosing the perfect one to match the tone of your quote.

If you want to be sure to reap the benefits of seeing your preferred mantra everyday emblazoned on your body, then consider going down the permanent tattoo route. And, if you’re looking for ideas, then you’re in the right place. Below you’ll find tons of quote ideas for your next bold ink look.

Quote Tattoo Inspiration Guide

Song Lyrics Tattoos

If you have a favorite song and one particular lyric that you strongly connect with, then you might want to consider choosing it for your quote tattoo. Musical lyrics often carry a powerful sentiment, and particular songs can remind us of certain periods of our lives. If you can remember having an emotional tie with an Amy Winehouse song, or a Guns and Roses record, then think about which lyric resounded most with you, and go ahead and book your tattoo appointment!

Bible Verse Tattoos

There are so many beautiful bible verses that carry a deep meaning. If you’re a religious person, or you just appreciate the poetic lyricism of the bible, then you might want to look to the holy text for your next ink.

Bible verses can ground us, be humbling and remind us of our place in the world. If you find this comforting, have a look through the bible and see which verses stick out to you.

Some classics include:

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me”

— Psalms 23:2

“Let all that you do be done in love”

— 1 Corinthians 16:4

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

– Proverbs 4:23

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

– 1 Peter 4:8

Love quote tattoo

Love makes the world go round, and love quote tattoos make up some of the most beautiful written tattoos.

If you have a phrase that holds particular meaning to you and your partner, why not consider getting it permanently inked so that the quote stays with you forever?

It doesn’t have to be romantic love either, if there was an expression your grandfather always used to use and it makes you smile to hear it now, then that would be a great idea for a tattoo. Or it could be a joke you and your mother share, or a phrase you and your siblings like to use. If there’s any quote that symbolizes love for you personally, then it’s undoubtedly a great source of inspiration for a quote tattoo.

Also Read: 32 Tattoos That Symbolize Love (2023 Updated)

Novel quote tattoo

We all have our favorite novels. From childhood books, there are some great quote tattoo inspiration, like Winnie the Pooh or Alice in Wonderland, which are both littered with brilliant one-liners. Or perhaps in adulthood, classic literature like To Kill a Mockingbird also has some excellent tattoo-worthy quotes. If you have a favorite book which really connects with you, then it might well be the perfect place to find your quote tattoo.

Here are some beautiful quotes from classic novels:

“The things that make me different are the things that make me, me.”

—A.A Milne, Winnie the Pooh

“You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.”

—A.A Milne, Winnie the Pooh

“Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”

—Alice in Wonderland

“It’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then.”

— Lewis Caroll, Alice in Wonderland

“Real courage is when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.”

― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

Poetry Quote Tattoo

Poetry verse makes for a beautiful ink embellishment on the skin. You might already have a favorite poem in mind, but if not you can always classic with a Shakespearian sonnet or research some modern poets and pick your favorite lines.

Here are some poetry ideas if you’re stuck:

“In black ink my love may still shine bright.”

― William Shakespeare, Shakespeare’s Sonnets

“To be lit up from within, vein by vein”

—Margaret Atwood

Traveller Quote Tattoos

If you love traveling and feel like a free spirit then it might be time to turn that passion for the road into a quote tattoo. You might simply opt to get a single word which conveys your love for travel, like “adventure”, or “explore”, or you might go a step further and get a full phrase which summarises the reason you travel.

Here are some classic quotes about traveling you might be tempted to get inked:

“Not all those who wander are lost”

— J.R.R. Tolkien

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all”

— Helen Keller

“Live with no excuses and travel with no regrets”

— Oscar Wilde

Tattoo Quotes with Images

You might want to combine your quote with an accompanying image. This helps illustrate the words, and can also create a more impactful look. If you want something a little more eye-catching and dynamic, then consider getting a drawing to go along with your chosen quote.

If the words of your quote don’t easily lend themselves to imagery, then you can always get something simple like flowers, a love heart, or even a pen in the process of writing out the text.

Single Word Tattoo

For some, a single word can carry more meaning than a whole phrase. If you have that one word which speaks volumes to you, then why not get it inked permanently. The minimalist look has grown in popularity in recent years, and the simplicity of one word has a unique aesthetic. It will also be a lot cheaper and take way less time to tattoo than a full quote!

Quote Tattoo Placement Ideas

Once you’ve decided on the perfect quote to get inked, you need to start thinking about where you’re going to place your new tattoo. The placement of a tattoo makes a big difference to how it’s seen.

For example, if you opt to get the tattoo on your forearm or wrist, it’s going to be visible on a daily basis. This is great if you really want to show off your ink, but it can be problematic in certain professional environments.

If you have a job that has a more conservative appearance policy, then it might be wiser to get your quote tattoo in a slightly more discreet area, like on your back or upper thigh. That way it will remain hidden during working hours, and you can show it off on the beach or in a backless dress in your free time.

Where you get inked will also affect the level of pain you can expect to endure during the tattooing process. If you have a lower pain threshold, there are certain areas you should favor over others. Below we’ll take you through the advantages and disadvantages of different placements.

Quote Tattoo on Wrist

The wrist is a great spot to get a quote tattoo as, even when wearing long sleeved shirts, it will be visible for the world to see. If you want your new ink to stand out, then the wrist is the perfect placement.

It’s also the most visible for you personally to see, as every time you reach out your arm you’ll see it there. If your quote is particularly inspiring and holds a special meaning for you, then it can be very reassuring to see it and read the quote to yourself several times a day.

Some wrist tattoos are written horizontally, and this works great for very short quotes. But the effect of a slightly longer quote going vertically up your arm can create a great aesthetic that compliments the natural tendons and veins of your arm too.

The main thing to bear in mind with wrist tattoos is that the area can be quite painful to tattoo as the skin is very thin and the veins run close to the surface of the skin. You should also be aware that, as wrists are more often exposed to the sun than other areas of the body, the ink can fade quite quickly. This means you might have to fork out for top ups every couple of years to keep your tattoo looking its best.

Quote Tattoo on Forearm

Just like wrist tattoos, forearm ink makes for a striking and noticeable piece of body art. It’s also a great canvas for a quote as there’s plenty of smooth, flat space to ink.  This is the spot to go for if you have a slightly longer quote in mind, and the lighter skin in this area makes the tattoo stand out even more.

Generally speaking, the level of pain you can expect during the tattooing process will increase the further down towards the wrist the needle goes. If you have a low pain tolerance, then you’re better off opting for a placement further up.

You should also be sure to wear sunscreen on your tattoo whenever it’s exposed to the sun. The forearm isn’t as susceptible to fading as hand and wrist tattoos, but you should be vigilant if you want to keep your tattoo in tip-top condition.

Quote Tattoo on Upper Arm

The upper arm is a great spot to get a quote tattoo if you want to keep it a little bit more discreet, but still visible whenever you choose to wear certain clothing. It’s also a very traditional area to get a tattoo, and there is plenty of space to get a quote on the longer side if you so desire.

In terms of pain in this area, it’s a fairly pleasant spot to get tattooed as the skin is thicker and there tends to be more fat and muscle, which provides a kind of padding for the needle. If you’re someone with a lower pain threshold, then this is the best placement for you.

The other advantage of the upper arm is that it tends to be out of the sun unless you’re wearing sleeveless clothing. This means the tattoo will stay a crisp color for longer, and you’re unlikely to need any top-ups in the years subsequent to getting inked.

Quote Tattoo on Back

Back quote tattoos are extremely popular as the spine lends itself perfectly as a canvas for scripture. While you can opt to get your quote on the back of your ribs or the small of your back, longer quotes look particularly striking when they run down the line of your spine. If you have a longer quote, then this really is the perfect spot as you have a lot of length to play with.

Naturally, the pain might be a bit higher in this area so you’ll need to brace yourself for that, as well as the fact that it might take longer to carry out the tattooing process. Also, be aware that accessing the area for aftercare can be tricky, so make sure you have a friend or family member on hand to cleanse and moisturise the area for you after you get inked.

Also Read: 30+ Best Back Tattoos For Women: Ideas & Symbolism (2023 Updated)

Quote Tattoo on Leg

Leg tattoos are growing in popularity as the placement has the versatility of being easily hidden when you want it to be, and proudly displayed at other times. You also have a lot of room to play with and can opt for either horizontal or vertical text.

Usually the tattoo process gets a bit more painful towards the ankle and on the shins, but the thighs and calves are some of the most painless parts of the body to get inked due to the amount of fat in those areas.

Conclusion

There are an infinite number of quotes to choose from. Hopefully this article has given you some inspiration for choosing the placement and the kind of quote you want to get inked. Whatever you opt for, make sure it’s unique and meaningful to you as you’ll likely be reading it every day for the rest of your life!

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