Words to live your life by

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By junior reporters, compiled by John Kang
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Last week, we asked our readers to tell us their favourite quote. Here are their answers ...

By junior reporters, compiled by John Kang |
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1. Best friends are fluffy!

Mark Twain said: "The more I know about people, the better I like my dogs". Animals are the best. I don't have a dog but I have a cute little chinchilla who is my best friend. She's always by my side when I feel down, and she always cheers me up.

Ernest Leung, 15, La Salle College

2. Beauty everwhere

Thomas Edison's last words, "It's very beautiful out there", were made famous to my generation in Looking For Alaska by John Green. This quote always gets me thinking. I wonder where "there" is, especially since Edison was dying. If someone could answer it, it would also answer a lot of teenage questions and definitely shoo away worry. This quote always gives me the hope and satisfaction that even after I die, I'll be in a beautiful place, aware of my surroundings.

Anushka Purohit, 15, Renaissance College

3. Full moon inspiration

I love Teen Wolf. I live vicariously through its characters, and so the inspirational one-liners from the show stick to me like fangirls stick to Harry Styles. And my favourite quote from the show is: "Be your own anchor" as uttered by Melissa McCall, who plays the mother of the first Teen Wolf. The quote reminds me that no matter what happens, even if you are alone with no one supporting you, you should rely on yourself to keep you grounded and focused.

Christy Cheung, 16, St Paul's Co-educational College

4. Hug it out, guys

I like the poignant "Hugs, not ughs" tweet from Ezra Koenig, the Columbia-educated lead singer of indie rock band Vampire Weekend. It reminds us that spreading warmth and enthusiasm ("Let me give you a hug!") always beats spreading apathy and cynicism ("Ugh this sucks - why am I doing this?").

Instead of languishing in the sheer meaninglessness of the universe and waiting for the inevitable collapse of our solar system, why not try to make this silly planet we're on a slightly brighter place while we're here? Stop complaining and go embrace your friends! And while you're at it, maybe dance to some Vampire Weekend.

Catherine Wang, 16, Chinese International School

5. The road less travelled

"Revenge is a dish best served nude," by The Big Bang Theory's Sheldon Cooper. While it isn't quite at the top of my most inspirational quotes, it reminds me to avoid cliché and go for the road that could lead to the most success - even if it is a little unorthodox!

Sharon Cheng, 16, King George V School

6. Light it up

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." This quote by Martin Luther King Jnr is my favourite because it reminds me to love my enemies, and to remember that showing kindness is the best way to stop people from doing bad things.

Shannon Cho, 15, Hong Kong International School

7. The wisest eight words I know

Quotes, by far, have been the most influential thing in my life. One that has had a very significant influence on me is: "Never look where you fall, look where you slip."

These eight words speak volume, and taught me to look at failure with a new eye. I no longer view it as the end; instead, each falter is now a learning opportunity, and a chance to improve myself. This quote makes the existence of another quote even more meaningful: "You won't learn until you fall."

Asha Limbu, 16, St Margaret's Girls' College

8. Dreams can come true

My favourite quote is from Walt Disney. "All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." His quote gives me the guts and confidence to keep going after my dreams. His words are so true, because you only succeed if you pursue your goals and don't stop trying. So every time you want to give up on your dreams or a goal, remember this quote and the success of Walt Disney.

Candy Yuen, 14, Law Ting Pong Secondary School

9. The best is yet to come

"Better than yesterday, not as good as tomorrow."

I use this quote as inspiration and motivation whenever I feel down, especially in sports and academics. As a basketball player and a student, I always strive to be the best I can be. However, there are days when I don't feel I'm good enough. On those days, I think of this quote, and remember that I was better today than yesterday, but I'll be even better tomorrow. It motivates me to keep pushing through the bad and to never give up. Because in the end, when all is said and done, great things are bound to happen.

Jason Seto, 17, Christian Alliance International School

10. Always look on the bright side

"Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end."

This quote, by Fernando Sabina, is my favourite because it is very positive and always keeps me motivated if I feel down. Teenagers have a tendency to overthink things and take things more seriously than they should. This is a great, optimistic reminder that always cheers me up and reminds me look on the bright side of things!

Diva Saha, 15, King George V School

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