114 Keep Your Head Up Quotes That Will Help You be Resilient

By Danielle Dahl | Updated November 14, 2023

These ‘keep your head up’ quotes will give you the inspiration to try one more time, the hope that things will change, and the courage to keep on keeping’ on!

Can you think of the hardest thing you have survived?

According to a study by the Harvard Business Review, individuals who possess grit, or the ability to persevere in the face of obstacles, are more likely to achieve their goals and experience long-term success.

This emphasizes the value of persistence and determination in achieving one’s objectives

Was it losing a loved one?

Trauma or abuse at the hands of a parent?

A break up or a friend betraying your trust?

Possibly, it was a failed business venture, or other loss of income.

Hardship looks different for everyone based on their life story, but survival requires similar skills, no matter who you are or what your burden to bear has been.

Keeping your head up and moving forward is a key trait among survivors.

Keeping your head up can be demonstrated through a variety of behaviors, but resiliency is a must.

Many famous musicians and writers have spoken about keeping their heads up in the face of rejection and adversity.

Some of the most influential people in the world have reminded us about the importance of perseverance and not throwing in the towel when things are tough.

Read these “keep your head up” quotes to find the inspiration you need to be resilient.

If you love this quote collection, read out our most popular quote article about short inspirational quotes for daily motivation.

If you need more inspirational quotes, check out our motivational quotes category page.

Keep your head up quotes from famous musicians

According to a survey by the American Psychological Association, individuals who engage in positive self-talk, or the practice of using encouraging and affirming language to oneself, experience lower levels of stress and greater resilience in the face of adversity.

This demonstrates the importance of self-compassion and self-motivation in building resilience.

1. “Even though you’re fed up, you’ve got to keep your head up.” — Tupac Shakur

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2. “Never think about something wrong you did in the past, always look forward with your head up high; have no regrets.” — Jared Leto

3. “I know it seems hard sometimes, but remember one thing. Through every dark night, there’s a bright day after that. So no matter how hard it gets, stick your chest out, keep ya head up and handle it.” — Tupac Shakur

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4. “And I know this world is so cold and deceiving, but I keep my head up like my nose is bleeding.” — Lil Wayne

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5. “Lift your head up high, and scream to the world. I know I am someone and let the truth unfurl.” — Michael Jackson

6. “Forgive but don’t forget, girl, keep your head up. And when he tells you you ain’t nothing, don’t believe him. And if he can’t learn to love you, you should leave him.” — Tupac Shakur

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7. “Don’t let haters get me off my grind. With my head up, I know I’ll be fine. Keep fighting until I get there. When I’m down and I feel like giving up, I think again. I whip my hair back and forth.” — Willow Smith

8. “Keep your head up. Keep your heart strong.” — Ben Howard

9. “Keep your head up and be patient.” — A. J. McLean

10. “Keep your head up and smile, because someone somewhere wants to see you fail.” — Burnell Taylor

11. “Don’t let anyone knock you down. Keep your head up.” — Greyson Chance

12. “Don’t wait on approval, validation, and likes from others–always give yourself the highest of approval ratings and work from there. Hold your head up and be fabulous no matter what!” — Jody Watley

You will also enjoy our article on be yourself quotes sayings.

13. “I’m not a conscious rapper, all those things we talk about, the struggle, the pain, the outlook to the future, keep your head up. I try to put all those positive things into a regular human character, which is myself.” — J. Cole
If you’re enjoying these quotes, make sure to read our collection of J. Cole quotes and lyrics on life & love.

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Keep your head up quotes from other famous people

According to a study by the University of Pennsylvania, individuals who practice gratitude, or the act of recognizing and appreciating the good things in one’s life, experience greater levels of resilience and well-being.

This highlights the importance of cultivating a mindset of gratitude, even in difficult circumstances.

14. “So keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life’s a beautiful thing and there’s so much to smile about.” — Marilyn Monroe

15. “Keep your head up in failure and your head down in success.” — Jerry Seinfeld

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16. “Hold your head high, stick your chest out. You can make it. It gets dark sometimes, but morning comes. Keep hope alive.” — Jesse Jackson

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17. “Put your shoulders back, hold your head up high knowing that the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives on the inside of you.” — Joel Osteen

18. “Keep your heels, head, and standards high.” — Coco Chanel

19. “Keep your head up because one day one person will fight like hell for you, the same as you would for them, and it will be a deep love. So, keep your head up.” — Carlos Salinas

20. “It is important to keep your head up and follow what you believe is right.” — Ajay Naidu

21. “You have to lift your head up out of the mud and just do it.” — Teri Garr

22. “I was haunted by trainers going “Up, up, up, get up.” You find yourself picking your head up and then realizing they aren’t talking to me.” — Jeff Daniels

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Keep your head up quotes from influential people who remind us to be strong

23. “Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye.” — Helen Keller

24. “I had to hold my head up high and put a bold face on things, but the thoughts keep coming anyways.” — Anne Frank

25. “Abundance is a direct reflection of your preparation to live abundantly. People who are ready for abundance keep their heads up, their eyes open and give thanks for everything they get.” — Iyanla Vanzant

26. “If we let our head drop, our heart drops with it. Keep your head up, and your body is capable of amazing feats.” — Chrissie Wellington

27. “If you’ve got a good idea and you’re willing to do whatever it takes to pursue it, keep your head up and eyes open because you don’t know when opportunity will come knocking.” — Paula Deen

28. “When times get rough, keep your head up.” — CC Sabathia

29. “I never lose. I either win or learn.” — Nelson Mandela

30. “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” — Thomas A. Edison

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Keep your head up quotes from famous writers and authors

31. “Stand tall, stand proud. Know that you are unique and magnificent. You do not need the approval of others.” — Jonathan Lockwood Huie

32. “Always hold your head up, but be careful to keep your nose at a friendly level.” — Max L. Forman

33. “If you aren’t in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?” — T. S. Eliot

34. “To everyone battling a difficulty or under attack right now, smile, keep your head up, keep moving and stay positive, you’ll get through it.” — Germany Kent

35. “Always keep your mind strong with positive thoughts and your head up with full confidence, because you truly have greatness in you.” — Edmond Mbiaka

36. “Never let anyone tell you who you are, hold your head up high, look them in the eyes and TELL them who you are.” — Sonya Parker

37. “It is better to have your head in the clouds, and know where you are… than to breathe the clearer atmosphere below them, and think that you are in paradise.” — Henry David Thoreau

38. “Man was made to lead with his chin; he is worth knowing only with his guard down, his head up and his heart rampant on his sleeve.” — Robert Farrar Capon

39. “If things don’t work out the way you want, hold your head up high and be proud. And try again. And again. And again!” — Sarah Dessen

40. “There is no failure except in no longer trying.” — Elbert Hubbard

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Inspirational keep your head up quotes

41. “Never let your head hang down. Never give up and sit down and grieve. Find another way. And don’t pray when it rains if you don’t pray when the sun shines.” — Satchel Paige

42. “It takes someone strong to leave with their head held high. It takes someone stronger to stay with their head held higher.” — Isabella Poretsis

43. “Someone once asked me how I hold my head up so high after all I’ve been through. I said it’s because no matter what, I am a survivor. Not a victim.” — Patricia Buckley

44. “As the world falls, I will keep my head up high because I know at the end of the time, I fall with my heart sorrowing into the sky.” — Christina Dessert

45. “No matter how much it hurts, you have to hold your head up and keep going.” — Brooke Addison

46. “He who is silent and bows his head dies every time he does so. He who speaks aloud and walks with his head held high dies only once.” — Giovanni Falcone

47. “I continue to hope and believe that the best stories and photographs are yet to occur. My quest for them will certainly require that I keep my head up and my eyes and heart open as I walk down the street.” — Peter Turnley

48. “You’re a fighter. Look at everything you’ve overcome. Don’t give up now.” — Olivia Benson

49. “You’ve got to have some adversity and learn from it. I’m working hard, but I didn’t expect a cure in one day. You learn. You move on. You hold your head up. You go on to the next day.” — Chuck Knoblauch

50. “Keep your head up, even if sometimes all you would want to do is hide away. Remember that it always gets easier.” — Unknown

51. You only live once, life is really short.. don’t let anything minuscule like that keep you down. Keep your head up.” – Mitch Lucker

52. “Different is good. When someone tells you that you are different, smile and hold your head up and be proud.” – Angelina Jolie

53. “You gotta keep ur head up even when the road is hard never give up.” – Tupac Shakur

54. People like us we gotta stick together Keep your head up nothing lasts forever.” – Kelly Clarkson

55. “I’ve been able to do things that allow me to hold my head up and still be popular.” – Sam Waterston

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Keep your head up quotes for when you’re losing hope

56. “Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.” — Arnold Schwarzenegger

57. “Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.” — Gail Devers

58. “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” — Confucius

59. “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” — Martin Luther King, Jr.

60. “Edison failed 10,000 times before he made the electric light. Do not be discouraged if you fail a few times.” — Napoleon Hill

61. “Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” — John Wooden

62. “Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat.” — F. Scott Fitzgerald

63. “Continuous effort – not strength or intelligence – is the key to unlocking our potential.” — Winston Churchill

64. “Put all excuses aside and remember this: YOU are capable.” — Zig Ziglar

65. “Constant effort and frequent mistakes are the stepping stones to genius.” — Elbert Hubbard

Keep your head up quotes to boost your mood

66. “Awake! Arise and go! Never ever give up!” – Ernest Agyemang Yeboah

67. “If I’m going to have hope, I’m going to have to learn to endure disappointment.” – Sharon Weil

68. “Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don’t lose faith.” – Steve Jobs

69. “God knows your value; He sees your potential. You may not understand everything you are going through right now. But hold your head up high, knowing that God is in control and he has a great plan and purpose for your life.” – Joel Osteen

70. “Encourage one another and you must keep that same encouragement yourself first, to encourage others, second keep your head up and count all joy in the worst of times.” – Robert L. Caldwell

71. “Encourage yourself, speak to yourself, and lift yourself right on up. Encourage yourself that change its here. Encourage yourself to continue to pursue.” – Delene Williams

72. “You keep your head down and you work and work, and all of a sudden you pick your head up and people are receiving it the same way we’re sending it” – Jeffrey Tambor

73. “Anyway, chin up, love.. there’s nothing ever quite so bad but thinking makes it worse.” – Terence Rattigan

74. “So chin up chum. You’re a beautiful, beautiful human being, and the world is your sunshine.” – Sam Voutas

75. “I think my mind blown, I barely feel my feet. I’mma hold my head high even in defeat.” – Rick Ross

Keep Your Head Up Quotes For Being Strong

76. “We are all here for some special reason. Stop being a prisoner of your past. Become the architect of your future.” — Robin Sharma

77. “The only thing you should ever quit is giving up.” — Steve Pfiester.

78. “That’s what is incredible about human beings, is the choice to keep going.” — Jack Antonoff

79. “We ain’t meant to survive, cause it’s a setup, And even though you’re fed up, Huh, ya got to keep your head up.” — Tupac Shakur

80. “The road is testing you to show you that your body was designed to make it through. So hold your head up high, and don’t be discouraged.” ― Thierry R. Lundy

81. “I think, head up and shoulders back. Not only does it make you look taller and thinner but it gives you confidence and boosts your self-esteem.” — Shelley Long

82. “Sit tall in the saddle and hold your head up high. Keep your eyes fixed where the trail meets the sky, and live like you ain’t afraid to die. Don’t be scared…just enjoy the ride.” — Chris LeDoux

83. “Pride is holding your head up when everyone around you has bowed. Courage is what makes you do it.” — Bryce Courtenay

84. “Keep your head up, Legs closed, Eyes open.” — Tupac Shakur

85. “You never know how strong you are, until being strong is your only choice.” — Bob Marley

Keep Your Head Up Quotes To Rejuvenate You

86. “Keep your heads up! We are sinking!” ― Ljupka Cvetanova

87. “Dear Daughter, Just to give you a heads-up, keep your head up ─ You are enough.” ― Gift Gugu Mona

88. “There are a lot of new opportunities that are poking their head up in my future. I’ve been very fortunate that way, but for right now, what I like is what I’m doing.” ― Gavin MacLeod

89. “I can’t walk down the street with my head up. I’m not a hat wearer, but now I’m a hat wearer.” ― Randy Harrison

90. “There’s an angel that’s watching right over you All your trials have not been in vain Won’t you lift your head up to the starry night Finding strength in the things that remain.” ― Van Morrison

91. “The world is full of horrible things that will eventually get you and everything you care about. Laughter is a universal way to lift your head up and say: ‘Not today, you bastards.’” ― Anthony Jeselnik

92. “Be persistent and just keep going to open mics no matter what, even if just to watch and not perform. You’ll find that even at your worst keep your head up because you’ll still be better than other people’s best.” ― Pete Holmes

93. “It seems to me that the secret of true happiness in life is to know what you are and then be content to be that, in style, head up and proud, and not yearn to be something else.” ― Robert A. Heinlein

94. “Hold your head high and keep those fists down.” ― Atticus Finch

95. “As children of God we are somebody. He will build us, mold us, and magnify us if we will but hold our heads up, our arms out, and walk with him.” ― Marvin J. Ashton

Keep Your Head Up Quotes To Encourage You To Carry On

96. “You measure a player from the head up.” ― Al McGuire

97. “Crowds are the most difficult thing for me these days because I have to walk with my head down and my eyes averted. There’s still that part of me that wants to hold my head up, make eye contact, and smile.” ― Cameron Diaz

98. “Whatever is going on in your life just remember.. Don’t ever give up! Always keep your head up and smile. Please remember that you’re not alone in the world… more people care about you then you realize.” ― Timothy Pina

99. “A bean bag is a perfect place to sulk. You can sink way down deep, and sulk for hours… You only have to stick your head up once in a while… to see if anybody cares.” ― Charles M. Schulz

100. “When it’s over, I want your head up. And there’s only one way your heads can be up – that’s to give it your best out there, everything you have.” ― John Wooden

101. “You’re gonna have to learn to get out there in front of those cameras and hold your head up. Take charge when you’re singing.” ― Patsy Cline

102. “He tipped her head up. “Don’t give up. Don’t leave me before you’re even here.” ― Melissa Marr

103. “Your circumstances don’t define you, your decisions do. So keep your head up and keep climbing.” ― Tavi Castro

104. “In a tree there is a spirit of life, a spirit of growth and a spirit of holding its head up.” ~ Robert Henri

105. “When people (talk trash) about you, you have to keep it moving, keep the records hot and keep your head up.” ― Ashanti

106. “As you recognize the different flavors in your life then life’s lowest times are easier to handle, in the midst of them you can find something to keep your head up as well as a lesson or two in it.” ― John Morgan Hamilton

107. “Keep your head up; keep moving forward and allow yourself the space, patience, and compassion to have ups and downs.” ― Brittany Burgunder

108. “Keep your head up, keep your eyes facing forward, and keep telling yourself, “I’m going to make it.” ― Budd Nielsen

109. “It is during your most difficult times that you need your faith, so keep your head up and feel God’s comforting presence.” ― Alex A Lluch

110. “Keep your chin up. Hold your head up high. Believe in the power of love and truth.” ― Reca Risley

111. “Keep your head up, and cast your dreams to the stars.” ― Patricia Wayant

112. “Keep your head up. There’s always light at the end of the tunnel.” ― Alice Kuipers

113. “Keep the faith, hope and love, Keep your head up.” ― Trent Sigler

114. “The world’s upon your shoulders and you’re strong, just keep your head up, it won’t be long.” ― Sin Raws

What did you learn from these keep your head up quotes?

It can be an arduous task to keep your head up when it seems like everything is trying to knock you down.

Continuing to trudge along up a rocky path is never easy, but the views at the top are usually breath-taking!

Dig deep, find your inner strength, and keep going!

We can not predict what challenges we will deal with in our journey, but we can decide how we respond to each of them.

If you are going through something that is especially challenging right now, please reach out for help.

Therapists can be a great resource for learning new tools on how to reframe your mindset.

If you feel like therapy is not quite what you need, then find a life coach!

They can help you reach a goal, teach you techniques on how to be successful, and even help with relationship struggles.

Whatever you do, keep your head up, and know that someone out there is rooting for you!