11 Overused Quotes — And What To Use Instead

Cliché quotes and common sayings are popular for a reason. They tend to be meaningful phrases that ring so true they’re repeated over and over until they become predictable and, well, stale. Tired and overused, clichés lack originality, and the trenchant message they impart can become diluted in the process.
Because these popular quotes are so ubiquitous, we tend to turn to them when looking for inspiration. They may be wise words imparted by luminary writers, artists, politicians, or religious leaders, or anonymous proverbs and common sayings with unknown origins. In any case, there is often a lesser known but equally moving maxim to be found.
Here, we’ve compiled some of the most popular overused quotes, along with an alternative that expresses a similar message — but with a touch more originality.