“There is nothing permanent except change.”
Heraclitus
ChangeImpermanence
Change Quotes
200 FAMOUS QUOTES · CHANGE
Change Quotes
Read 200 of the best change quotes about embracing change, growth, new beginnings and letting go, from Heraclitus, Marcus Aurelius, Shakespeare and more.
“The sun is new each day.”
Heraclitus
New BeginningsRenewal
“The way up and the way down are one and the same.”
Heraclitus
BalancePerspective
“All things are in motion and nothing at rest.”
Plato
ChangeMovement
“Observe constantly that all things take place by change, and accustom thyself to consider that the nature of the Universe loves nothing so much as to change the things which are and to make new things like them.”
Marcus Aurelius
NatureAcceptance
“Is any man afraid of change? Why, what can take place without change?”
Marcus Aurelius
FearAcceptance
“All things are changing: and thou thyself art in continuous mutation.”
Marcus Aurelius
GrowthSelf
“Nature which governs the whole will soon change all things which thou seest.”
Marcus Aurelius
NatureImpermanence
“Our bodies are hurried along like flowing waters; every visible object accompanies time in its flight.”
Seneca
TimeImpermanence
“My mind leads me to speak now of forms changed into new bodies.”
Ovid
TransformationChange
“Nothing is constant in the whole world; everything is in a state of flux.”
Ovid
ChangeLife
“Time itself glides on with constant motion, ever as a flowing river.”
Ovid
TimeFlow
“Thus the sum of things is ever being renewed.”
Lucretius
RenewalNature
“'All created things perish,' he who knows and sees this becomes passive in pain.”
Buddha (Dhammapada)
ImpermanencePeace
“A violent wind does not last for a whole morning; a sudden rain does not last for the whole day.”
Lao Tzu
Hard TimesImpermanence
“The movement of the Tao by contraries proceeds.”
Lao Tzu
BalanceChange
“It passes on just like this, not ceasing day or night!”
Confucius
TimeFlow
“The contacts of matter, giving cold and heat, pleasure and pain, they come and go, impermanent; endure them bravely.”
Bhagavad Gita
EnduranceImpermanence
“For I am the Lord, I change not.”
The Bible (Malachi 3:6)
FaithConstancy
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”
The Bible (Hebrews 13:8)
FaithConstancy
“One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.”
The Bible (Ecclesiastes 1:4)
GenerationsTime
“There is no new thing under the sun.”
The Bible (Ecclesiastes 1:9)
HistoryWisdom
“We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.”
The Bible (1 Corinthians 15:51-52)
TransformationFaith
“Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots?”
The Bible (Jeremiah 13:23)
Human NatureHabits
“Behold, I make all things new.”
The Bible (Revelation 21:5)
New BeginningsRenewal
Related Topics
About Change Quotes
Change is the one thing we can always count on. Seasons turn, people grow, plans shift and the world never stands still. Some changes excite us, others scare us, but learning to accept and use change is one of the most important skills in life.
This collection brings together 200 of the best change quotes from philosophers, poets and wise thinkers, including Heraclitus, Marcus Aurelius, Ovid, William Shakespeare, Francis Bacon and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Whether you are starting a new chapter, facing a hard transition or simply growing, these quotes about change will help you see it as a path forward.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about Change quotes.
What is the most famous quote about change?
"There is nothing permanent except change," attributed to the Greek philosopher Heraclitus, is one of the most famous change quotes in history. Shakespeare's "sea-change into something rich and strange" is another beloved line about transformation.
What did Marcus Aurelius say about change?
Marcus Aurelius asked, "Is any man afraid of change? Why, what can take place without change?" He taught that nature loves to change things and make new ones, so we should accept change calmly rather than fear it.
What are good quotes about embracing change?
Carlyle wrote that change is "painful; yet ever needful," and Francis Bacon warned that those who refuse new remedies must expect new problems. Both remind us that change, though uncomfortable, helps us grow.
What does the Bible say about change?
The Bible describes a changing world alongside an unchanging God, as in Malachi 3:6, "I am the Lord, I change not," and Hebrews 13:8. Revelation 21:5, "Behold, I make all things new," is a popular verse about fresh starts.
What are short change quotes for Instagram captions?
Try "The sun is new each day," "Behold, I make all things new," "Nought may endure but Mutability," or "Every action admits of being outdone." They pair well with posts about new chapters, growth and transformation.
How can I cope with change?
Many wise thinkers suggest accepting what you cannot control, focusing on what you can, and remembering that hard times pass. As Lao Tzu observed, even a violent wind does not last a whole morning.