Can You Actually Read These Quotes In Fancy Cursive Letters?

By: Teresa McGlothlin
Estimated Completion Time
6 min
Can You Actually Read These Quotes In Fancy Cursive Letters?
Image: Towfiqu Photography / Moment / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Cursive writing is quickly becoming a thing of the past. In fact, many schools have stopped teaching this art in favor of simple printing. Although handwriting might be changing, some of the quotes we have found are as relevant and reliable as ever. Do you think you can read them when they are written in fancy cursive writing? 

From the Dalai Lama to Shakespeare, there are a lot of inspiring quotes out there. Although there was an impossible amount of quotes to choose from, we have done our best to pick quotes that look amazing when written in old-fashioned cursive lettering. As you go through this quiz, challenge yourself by seeing how many of them you can actually read in a word-for-word style. 

You'll need to choose your answers carefully because we have intentionally tried to throw you off. Make sure you study the cursive quote until you can remember it with your eyes closed. Once you think you know the right answer, choose it from the options we have given you.

Out of 40 quotes, how many do you think you can really read? Put on your glasses, and dig through your quote knowledge. You will need both to score high!

Knowledge comes but wisdom lingers
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What does this Lord Tennyson quote say?
Knowledge comes, but women singers.
Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers.
Knowledge craved by window singers.
Knowledge came, but wisdom limbered.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When Tennyson said, "Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers," we can only assume he was lost deep in thought. As the Poet Laureate of Great Britain and Ireland, it was his job to think and to commit those thoughts to word.

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In teaching others, we teach ourselves
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What does this proverb say?
In teaching others, we teach ourselves.
In reaching others, we reach ourselves.
I'm bleaching others and teaching myself.
In teaching others, will teach ourselves.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

According to the Proverbs, "In teaching others, we teach ourselves." When we share our knowledge with those around us, we receive their knowledge in return.

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Whatever you do, do it well
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What advice does Walt Disney offer?
"Wherever you go, go be swell."
"Whatever voodoo, do it swell."
"Whenever you do, do it well."
"Whatever you do, do it well."
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In addition to gifting the world with his incredible animation talents, Walt Disney was quite an inspirational speaker. The full quote says, “Whatever you do, do it well. Do it so well that when people see you do it, they will want to come back and see you do it again, and they will want to bring others and show them how well you do what you do.”

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Every moment is a fresh beginning
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What does this T.S. Eliot quote say?
Every minute is a fresh beginning.
Every moment is a fresh beginning.
Every minute is a trusty ending.
Every mom is a fresh set of linen.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

According to T.S. Eliot, "Every moment is a fresh beginning." In other words, go out there and party like it's 1999.

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To live will be an awfully big adventure
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What does this quote say?
To live will be an awfully big adventure.
To life will be an awesomely big adventure.
To live with be an awesome big venture.
Tonight will be an awfully big adventure.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

According to Peter Pan, "To live will be an awfully be adventure." Peter Pan was Disney's 14th release, and it has been around since 1953.

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Happiness depends on ourselves
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Which quote do you see here?
Happiness depends on our wealth.
Happiness depends on ourselves.
Hoppiness depends on ourselves.
Happiness regards ourselves.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Spoken by one of the Fathers of Western Philosophy, "Happiness depends on ourselves." As one of the world's most famous philosophers, you should take Aristotle's words to heart.

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Turn your wounds into wisdom
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What is Oprah Winfrey saying here?
Burn your wounds and wisdom.
Turn your words into wisdom.
Turn your wounds into wisdom.
Turn your worlds into wisdom.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Oprah Winfrey is always full of wise advice. With this quote, she advises you to "Turn your wounds into wisdom."

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When words fail, music speaks
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What does this Shakespeare quote say?
When words trail, music speaks.
When words fail, magic speaks.
Then words fail, music speaks.
When words fail, music speaks.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Shakespeare said it best when he said, "When words fail, music speaks." Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in England in April of 1564.

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And I still rise
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What does this Maya Angelou quote say?
Ant hill rise.
And I still hide.
And I still rise.
And I shall rise.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Maya Angelou imparted many words of wisdom with her voice as an author and civil rights activist. In this quote, she says, "And I still rise."

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There is no substitute for hard work
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Can you read this Thomas Edison quote?
There is no substitute for hard work.
There is no prostitute for hard work.
There is no substitute for hand work.
There is no substance in hard work.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

According to Thomas Edison, "There is no substitute for hard work." He would know since he is considered America's greatest inventor. Thanks to Edison, we have phonographs and lightbulbs.

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Just do it
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What does this famous quote say?
Rest through it.
Just duet.
Just diet.
Just do it.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you've ever seen a Nike commercial, you know this quote well. The full quote reads, "Yesterday you said tomorrow. Just do it." Though, the "just do it" portion has remained as their tagline.

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All limitations are self-imposed
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What does this powerful quote say?
All imitations are self-imposed.
All limitations are self-imposed.
All limitations are self-exposed.
All limitations self-implode.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Former Supreme Court Associate Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes was a wise man. According to him, "All limitations are self-imposed."

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Love is a trembling happiness
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What does this poetic quote say?
Love is a trembling happiness.
Love is a transforming happiness.
Love is a trembling wackiness.
Love is a trampling happiness.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Lebanese-American writer Kahlil Gibran is well-known for his insightful quotes. Here, he says, "Love is a trembling happiness."

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Success is the best revenge for anything
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What is Ed Sheeran saying here?
Success is the best recipe for revenge.
Success is the best revenge for nothing.
Success is the best revenge for anything.
Such as the best revenge for anything.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Singer Ed Sheeran says a lot of things in his songs. However, in this interview quote, he says, "Success is the best revenge for anything."

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Don't hate what you don't understand
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What does John Lennon have to say in this quote?
Don't hate what you don't understand.
Don't make what you don't understand.
Don't fake what you don't understand.
Don't rate what you don't understand.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

During his lifetime, John Lennon passed a lot of powerful words through his music. In this spoken quote, he says, "Don't hate what you don't understand."

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Stay hungry. Stay foolish
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Do you know what this quote says?
Stay hungry and be foolish.
Shy hungry. Shy foolish.
Stay hungry. Stay foolish.
Sway hungry. Stay foolish.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

We're not quite sure what Steve Jobs meant by saying "Stay hungry. Stay foolish." However, we think he means that you should always pursue your dreams and that you should never ignore them.

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The past does not equal the future
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What does this Tony Robbins quote have to say?
The past does not equal the future.
The pass does not equal the football.
The past does equal the future.
Go past the equal and future.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tony Robbins is a famous motivational speaker who inspires a lot of people. Here, he says, "The past does not equal the future." He is telling you that your past doesn't shape the way your future turns out.

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Life is too short to learn German
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What does this cursive quote say?
Fife is too short to learn German.
Life is too sort to learn German.
Life is too short to learn German.
Life is too short to learn Germany.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Irish poet Oscar Wilde was born in 1854. Although he has many pearls of wisdom to offer, this quote says, "Life is too short to learn German."

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Believe you can and you're halfway there
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What does Theodore Roosevelt say here?
Believe in your can and your already there.
Belief your man and you're halfway there.
Believe you can and you're halfway there.
Retrieve your can and you're halfway there.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As the 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt is famous for his inspirational quotes. In this quote, he says, "Believe you can and you're halfway there."

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A problem is a chance for you to do your best
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What is Duke Ellington saying here?
A problem is a change for you to do your best.
A problem is a chance for you to rest.
A problem is a crevice for you to do your best.
A problem is a chance for you to do your best.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Duke Ellington was an amazing musician and prominent band leader. He knew what he was talking about when he said, "A problem is a chance for you to do your best."

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It takes a long time to become young
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Can you read this Picasso quote?
It makes a long time to become sprung.
It takes a long time to become young.
It takes a long while to become young.
It takes a long time to become one.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Spanish artist Pablo Picasso presented art to the world in ways they had never seen before. In this quote, he challenges the idea of aging by saying, "It takes a long time to become young."

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Find what you love and let it kill you
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What does this Bukowski quote say?
Find what you love and let it kill you.
Bind what you love and let it kill you.
Find what you love and let it fill you.
Find what you love and let it milk you.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Charles Bukowski is a German-American writer and poet that had a whole lot to say. In this instance, he says, "Find what you love and let it kill you."

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Don't let yesterday take up too much of today
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What does Will Rogers say here?
Do not let yesterday fake up too much of today.
Don't let misery take up too much of today.
Don't let yesterday take up too much of today.
Don't let yesterday get in your way.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

American cowboy Will Rogers was quite the actor and performer. We're assuming that he was very busy juggling his career when he said, "Don't let yesterday take up too much of today."

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You have to be odd to be number one
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What does this Dr. Seuss quote say?
You go the pond to do number one.
You have to be odd to be number one.
You have to be odd to be the only one.
You have to be a fraud to be number one.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Everyone loves Dr. Seuss' inspiring poetry and quirky illustrations. Here, he says, "You have to be odd to be number one." He certainly lived up to this quote.

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Live the life you've dreamed
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Can you read this Thoreau quote?
Live the life you've seen.
Live the life you seemed.
Live the life you've needed.
Live the life you've dreamed.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

During his time on Walden Pond, Henry David Thoreau passed a lot of great wisdom on to us. In this quote, he advises, "Live the life you've dreamed."

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Love is the absence of judgment
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What does the Dali Lama have to say?
Love is the absence of judgment.
Love is the access of judgment.
Love is the absence of punishment.
Love is the abstinence of judgment.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

According to the Dali Lama, "Love is the absence of judgment." Truly loving someone or something means not passing judgment. Instead, we are instructed to be accepting.

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Where is your will to be weird?
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What is Jim Morrison asking?
There is your will to be weird.
Where is your dill to be weird?
Where is your will to be weird?
Where is your will to be feared?
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Best known for his singing with The Doors, Jim Morrison was always pushing boundaries. Here, he asks, "Where is your will to be weird?"

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Freedom lies in being bold
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What does this Robert Frost quote say?
Kingdom lies in being bold.
Freedom lies in being bold.
Freedom lies in being told.
Freedom lies in being sold.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

We're sure you know the Robert Frost quote about the two roads in the woods, but did you get this one right? It says, "Freedom lies in being bold."

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Be happy in the moment
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What advice is Mother Teresa offering here?
Be happy in the moment.
Be sappy in the moment.
Be crappy in the moment.
Be happy in the minute.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although she was best known for her self-sacrificial charity work, Mother Teresa offered many wise words for us to live by. Here, she says, "Be happy in the moment."

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Happiness can only exist in acceptance
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What is Orwell saying in this quote?
Happiness can only persist with excellence.
Happiness can only invent with acceptance.
Happiness can only exist in rejection.
Happiness can only exist in acceptance.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

George Orwell is most famous for his book "1984," but as a prolific author, he had a lot of advice. For instance, "Happiness can only exist in acceptance."

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Choose people who lift you up
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Can you read this Michelle Obama quote?
Choose people who lift you up.
Schmooze people who lift you up.
Choose people who give you a pup.
Choose people who light you up.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As the First Lady, Michelle Obama often stole the show with her wisdom and poise. In this quote, she advises us to "Choose people who lift you up."

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No one has ever become poor by giving
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What does Anne Frank say here?
None has ever become poor by giving.
No one has ever become more my giving.
No one has ever become sore by giving.
No one has ever become poor by giving.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Anne Frank's heartbreaking diary is full of potent life observations. She wisely advises that, "No one has ever become poor by giving."

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We are what we believe we are
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What does this quote say?
We are what we conceive we are.
We are not what we believe we are.
We are what we believe we are.
We are what we say we are.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

C.S. Lewis captured the world's imagination with his "Chronicles of Narnia" series. He also offers great advice by saying, "We are what we believe we are."

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Time is money
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What is Benjamin Franklin saying here?
Tim is honey.
Time is money.
Time is funny.
Time is cunning.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Even though his kite was struck by lightning, Benjamin Franklin offered the world a lot through his inventions and scientific work. He also advised us that "Time is money."

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Buy less, choose well
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What is Vivienne Westwood tell us here?
By less, choose well.
Buy less, choose well.
Cry less, choose well.
Buy less, choose shell.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Quirky designer Vivienne Westwood knows enough to give great advice about clothing. Here, she says, "Buy less, choose well." You can have a great wardrobe with a few key pieces.

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He who is contented is rich
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What does this cursive quote say?
He who is contented is rich.
He who is connected is rich.
She who is committed is rich.
He would be contented if rich.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ancient philosopher Lao Tzu offers more quotes than we could possibly count. Here he advises, "He who is contented is rich."

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Peace comes from within
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What is Buddha saying in this quote?
Peace comes from within.
Peas come from within.
Peach comes from within.
Peace is a win win.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although we could do an entire quiz with Buddha quotes, we have decided to offer this little wise one. "Peace comes from within." Remember it.

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Truth is on the side of the oppressed
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What is Malcom X saying?
Truth is on the ride of the obsessed.
Truth is on the side of the obsessed.
Truth is on the side of the oppressed.
Truth is on the side of the refreshed.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Social justice advocate Malcolm X always had a lot to say. Here, he warns, "Truth is on the side of the oppressed."

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Wisdom begins in wonder
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What does this Socrates quote say?
Wisdom resounds with wonder.
Wisdom teeth are under.
Wisdom begins with thunder.
Wisdom begins in wonder.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

One of the godfathers of philosophy and modern thought, Socrates is an endless supply of wisdom. He says, "Wisdom begins with wonder." He must have done a lot of wondering.

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What you seek is seeking you
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Can you pick the right Rumi quote?
What you need is seeking you.
What you seek is seeking you.
What you bleed is seeing you.
What you need is seeing you.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Even though Rumi practiced writing during the 13th century, his words are still relevant. If you are looking for something, keep his words in mind. "What you seek is seeking you."

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