Turtles...are MAGNIFICENT creatures! In this piece, we have handpicked some of the best turtle quotes to inspire you.
We can't begin to think of how many ways these old souls play a significant role in our ecosystem. They are some of the world’s most ancient vertebrates. By appearance, they seem to be demure, easy-paced animals. But (sea) turtles, in water, zip past with the same speed as birds of the air.
Related: Check out our list of inspiring nature quotes for more famous sayings about our natural world. For more info on turtles, we have all the turtle facts you could ever need and a rundown on the different types of turtles too.
Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out.
James B. Conant was an American chemist and the first US Ambassador to West Germany. Conant was a well-celebrated President of the prestigious Harvard University. He abolished class ranks and athletic scholarships.
Conant's turtle quote is right! If you will become that person in your dreams, you must step up. If you're going to crush it at that interview, you must prepare. If you're going to rock or stand out at anything, you must act like a turtle. Stick your neck out! Don't duck or hide; it won't help. If you stay locked in your shell, guess what? The world may never see your abilities.
Try to be like the turtle - at ease in your own shell.
Bill Copeland is an American poet, writer, and historian. Copeland was famous for his writings about the Holocaust, World War II, and Native Americans. He was an award-winning writer and won numerous awards, including the Taran Family Memorial Award.
Then there'll be times you'll feel stuck. There'll be times you'll feel like caving and giving up your dreams. There'll be times you'll run out of steam, and those from behind will overtake you. Don't buckle under. Take Copeland's advice given in his turtle quote. Be like a turtle. Breathe. Relax. Be at ease. You won't think clearly, not with a broken heart or an angry mind.
Take a walk with a turtle. And behold the world in pause.
Georgian Bruce Feller is an American writer and TV personality. He has authored six consecutive New York Times nonfiction bestsellers. Feller is also a regular contributor to CNN and Fox News.
Life is like a 9-5 job. Sometimes it's plain boring—even uninspiring. There's a heap of responsibilities on one shoulder and a pile of problems on the other. And all you need sometimes is to stop, step away from your busyness and be grateful for everything. Of course, you can't walk with a turtle, as Feller suggests in this Turtle quote. But you can always take a stroll to your favorite spot. Sit, and enjoy the view.
"The beach is in our blood. Everyone in our family returns to the beach instinctively, just like the sea turtles.”
~ Sandy Archibald
Changes in Latitudes' began when I was looking at a photograph of a sea turtle swimming underwater. I had such a strong feeling for the beauty of this ancient creature, at home in the sea. On the spot, I wanted to swim with that turtle. I began to imagine a character who would do just that.
Will Hobbs (amazon) is the author of twenty novels for upper elementary, middle school, and young adult readers. Hobbs is a recipient of the Thomas Hornsby Ferril Lifetime Literary Achievement Award (CO), including a dozen other awards.
One day you're going to have to adapt to new changes. One day you're going to have to learn to say "no!" to what you don't like, even if those you tell will feel embarrassed. You see, change is unavoidable. It'll happen whether you want it to or not. In the end, what'll count is how well you adapt to these changes.
Words have a life of their own. There is no telling what they will do. Within a matter of days, they can even turn turtle and mean the opposite.
James Craig Brown is a former Scottish professional football player and manager. He held the longest tenure of any Scotland manager (1993-2001). Brown's a celebrated manager and a recipient of the CBE for his services to football.
Sea turtles are fast swimmers. So are words; they have a life of their own. The words you say matter, as well as how you say them. They can influence you, including those around you. Before speaking or confessing anything next time, realize that the words you say hold tremendous power.
“No man has ever seen a turtle climbing the wall. In order to do the things which are impossible for you, you need to change yourself, and better still, transform yourself into something new!”
~ Mehmet Murat ildan
“Most people were heartless about turtles because a turtle’s heart will beat for hours after it has been cut up and butchered. But the old man thought, I have such a heart too.”
~ Ernest Hemingway
Love makes even a turtle smile.
~ Henrietta Newton
"If superstition could contradict science, the world may as well be on the back of a turtle. But giving into turtle worship was a bridge too far.”
~ Thomm Quackenbush
“Now you see,' said the turtle, drifting back into the pond, ‘why it is useless to cry. Your tears do not wash away your sorrows. They feed someone else's joy. And that is why you must learn to swallow your own tears.”
~ Amy Tan
"Pride of one's work is not improper, unladylike, or vain. We can all take a lesson from the sea turtle. She does not travel thousands of miles or risk all for her ego. She has an instinct for greatness — one that I believe is found in all living creatures.”
~ Mary Alice
I'm like an old turtle these days. I don't run wide-open everywhere, but at the end of the day, I'll be where I'm supposed to be.
Atlanta native Tracy Lawrence is a country music singer, record producer, and songwriter. Critics have described his musical style as possessing a hint of modern-day honky-tonk.
Are you stuck trying to figure out who you're or what's your purpose? Or maybe you're desperate to create something unique but can't flesh out your plans. Don't worry. Stop panicking. You're not alone, as Lawrence’s turtle quote suggests. Everyone at some point in their lives has struggled for something they want. However, what's important is remaining hopeful and staying focused, like a sea turtle.
Watch the turtle. He only moves forward by sticking his neck out.
Louis Vincent Gerstner Jr. is an American businessman, best known for his tenure as chairman of the board and chief executive officer of IBM from April 1993 until 2002. Industry experts praise him for turning IBM's fortunes around. In June 2001, Queen Elizabeth awarded Gerstner the designation of honorary Knight of the British Empire.
Humans have shells (maybe not turtle-shaped). And for some reason, we prefer hiding in them. But we fail to realize that when we stay under for too long, in our shells, we miss great opportunities that are out there, waiting, and lying outside. Make up your mind and come out of your hiding. Stick your neck out as Gestners turtle quote suggests, and start moving forward like the turtle today.
I would honestly say I'm in the turtle's race. My journey is a marathon.
Omari Latif Hardwick is an American actor and poet. Many know him for his roles in the films The A-Team (2010) and Kick-Ass (2010 - links to amazon). He’s also the main character in the hit TV series: Power.
Typically, turtles cruise at around 0.9 to 5.8 mph (9km/hr) and most 22 mph when attacked. That score is miles apart compared to the record set by the world's fastest man (Usain Bolt) at 27mph. But in reality, that's how our journey through life is. We can't run them all in one race, can we? It's one turtle race at a time. Of course, sometimes slow and steady wins the race.
I got a few speeding tickets when I was young, but I'm a little more like the turtle than the hare.
Christopher Allen Lloyd is an American actor and recipient of an Emmy Award. Many know him for portraying Emmett "Doc" Brown in the Back to the Future trilogy (1985–1990, amazon). As well as Jim Ignatowski in the comedy series Taxi (1978–1983).
Turtles are slow on land compared to water. They can drag their feet in the sand all day, so don't expect them to catch up. Similarly, when you're driving, don't be in haste, advised Lloyd in this turtle quote. Obey speed limits, and drive carefully.
“Nature is slow, but sure; she works no faster than need be; she is the tortoise that wins the race by her perseverance.”
~ Henry David Thoreau
It's OK to do cute little things like kissing a turtle, but you can't kiss another person because he's a different colour? Give me a break. And you have to remember, I'm from Dallas, Texas.
Aaron Spelling was an American film and television producer. Some of his popular productions include the TV series Family (1976-1980), Charlie's Angels (1976–81), The Love Boat (1977–86), and 7th Heaven (1996–2007 - links to amazon). Spelling was also a recipient of the NAACP Humanitarian Award for his monetary donation that permitted a 21-year-old's heart transplant operation.
Spelling implies in this turtle quote that we must learn to accept our differences. We must learn to live with, and love others, regardless of skin color. Recognizing that our color doesn't factor in intelligence and other qualities is a brilliant starting point.
"On my door is a cartoon of two turtles. One says, ‘Sometimes I would like to ask why he allows poverty, famine, and injustice when he could do something about it.' The other turtle says ‘I am afraid that God might ask me the same question.'”
~ Peter Kreeft
I am now a turtle. Virtually everything I own is on my back and suffice it to say I am one ton lighter and therefore 2,000 pounds happier. All houses are gone.
Bobby Darin was an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and actor in film and television. He was famous for his contribution to making Las Vegas the "Entertainment Capital of the World" and received a star in the Las Vegas Walk of Stars. Darin also owns the honor of a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award.
The green sea turtle can weigh up to 700 pounds. What they have on their backs is all they'll ever need. Darin cites in his turtle quote that we as humans need to learn a lesson in contentment. And bring our needs and wants back to the basics.
“I'm as self-contained as a turtle. When I put my key in the ignition, I have my home right behind me.”
~ Esther Tallamy
“See the turtle of enormous girth, on his shell he holds the earth. If you want to run and play, come along the beam today.”
~ Stephen King
"It's okay to play turtle for a while, as long as you don't get too fond of your shell.”
~ Eileen Wilks
You are absolutely free to describe me as a turtle or something.
Paul Edward Valentine Giamatti is an American actor and producer. He starred in 12 Years a Slave (2013) and The Illusionist (2006 - links to amazon). He's also a recipient of several acting awards, including a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award.
Is it right to describe someone as a turtle? Well, if they are calm, cool, collected, and quiet, then yes, you can call them turtles! Turtles are also patient and caring. Add that too!
“All the thoughts of a turtle are turtle”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Reeling and Writhing of course, to begin with,' the Mock Turtle replied, ‘and the different branches of arithmetic-ambition, distraction, uglification, and derision.”
~ Lewis Carroll
The master was an old Turtle - we used to call him Tortoise-'
'Why did you call him Tortoise, if he wasn't one?' Alice asked.
'We called him Tortoise because he taught us,' said the Mock Turtle angrily: 'really you are very dull!'~ Lewis Carroll
"And the turtles, of course…all the turtles are free, as turtles and, maybe, all creatures should be.”
~ Dr. Seuss
We don't even know if we're in this room. We could be in a turtle's dream in outer space.
~ Danny Devito
Turtles have been around for about 110 million years. This means they once lived with dinosaurs on earth. They have a much longer lifespan than the average human. And researchers estimate that some turtles live up to three centuries.
These quotes should remind us of how much value turtles add to the planet. We shouldn’t be the reasons why these creatures are lost on the planet. And of the many reasons why we need collective efforts to preserve turtles.
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