Why look for heroes in books and movies when you can be the hero of your own story? Here are 20 hero’s journey quotes that will fuel your next adventure.

Being a hero doesn’t necessarily imply wearing a cape and having superpowers, although that would make things a lot easier. There’s a hero in each one of us and the challenges we face and overcome every day are proof of our strength and courage.

In narratology, the hero’s journey is also known as the monomyth and it’s basically a template for all the hero stories you know: the hero goes on an adventure, faces many trials, takes risks, wins a victory, and then comes home wiser and stronger than ever. As an expert on mythology, Joseph Campbell laid out the basic elements of this concept in his book The Hero’s Journey.

The hero’s journey did not originate in fiction. It is simply who we are as human beings. If you take a step back and think of all the things you’ve accomplished by now, the way you managed to overcome every situation that almost made you quit, and the kindness you’ve shown to others, you’ll come to realize that you’re the hero of your own story.

But your journey is not over yet — your obstacles will be your greatest teachers and hope, your best friend.

Here are 20 hero’s journey quotes that will fuel your next adventure:

A hero is someone who, in spite of weakness, doubt or not always knowing the answers, goes ahead and overcomes anyway.

CHRISTOPHER REEVE (more Christopher Reeve quotes)

Every time you are willing to say ‘Yes’ to everything on your path, you express the hero inside of you.

MARIA NEMETH

Though nature be ever so generous, yet can she not make a hero alone. Fortune must contribute her part too; and till both concur, the work cannot be perfected.

FRANCOIS DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD

The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.

JOSEPH CAMPBELL

And once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in.  

HARUKI MURAKAMI (more Haruki Murakami quotes)

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

LAO TZU

THERE IS NO BETTER THAN ADVERSITY. EVERY DEFEAT, EVERY HEARTBREAK, EVERY LOSS, CONTAINS ITS OWN SEED, ITS OWN LESSON ON HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR PERFORMANCE THE NEXT TIME.

MALCOLM X (more Malcolm X quotes)

True heroism consists in being superior to the ills of life, in whatever shape they may challenge us to combat.

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE (more Napoleon Bonaparte quotes)

Life has no meaning. Each of us has meaning and we bring it to life. It is a waste to be asking the question when you are the answer.

JOSEPH CAMPBELL

The only thing that is ultimately real about your journey is the step that you are taking at this moment. That’s all there ever is.

ALAN WATTS (more Alan Watts quotes)

When the hero is ready, the mentor appears.

WILL CRAIG

Man is capable of every great heroism; it was man who found a means of conquering the formidable obstacles of his environment, establishing himself lord of the earth, and laying the foundations of civilization.

MARIA MONTESSORI

We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey.  

KENJI MIYAZAWA

The most beautiful people I’ve known are those who have known trials, have known struggles, have known loss, and have found their way out of the depths.  

ELIZABETH KÜBLER-ROSS

The great mission of our day is not conquering the sea or space, disease or tyranny. The grand quest which calls to the hero in every one of us is to become fully alive–to stand up and claim our birthright, which is inner freedom, love and radiant purpose.

JACOB NORDBY

The hero journey is inside of you; tear off the veils and open the mystery of your self.

JOSEPH CAMPBELL

Be of good cheer. Do not think of today’s failures, but of the success that may come tomorrow. You have set yourself a difficult task, but you will succeed if you persevere, and you will find a joy in overcoming obstacles.

HELEN KELLER

When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not yet ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back.  

PAULO COELHO

The world breaks everyone, and afterward, Many are strong at the broken places.  

ERNEST HEMINGWAY

I believe that life is a journey, often difficult and sometimes incredibly cruel, but we are well equipped for it if only we tap into our talents and gifts and allow them to blossom.

LES BROWN