15 Tattoo Quotes from Classic Literature for Your First Tattoo ...

By Sabrina

15 Tattoo Quotes from Classic Literature for Your First Tattoo ...

I recently got my first tattoo, and I'm completely in love! I encourage everyone to get a tattoo, but before you sit down in front of the needle, it's important to find a quote that you love. These quotes from classic literature look great as tattoos! Plus, since they are small, they make great first tattoos to test out how you like it.

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1

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

blue,clothing,image,woman,beauty, Via The Word Made Flesh, from ...
Who doesn't want a little bit of Shakespeare on their body? If you're a petite woman like me, this quote is perfect for your first tattoo! Let everyone know that, despite your size, you're as fearsome as a lion on the inside.

2

Fahrenheit 451

Bastardo,food,produce,fruit,liqueur, Via The Best Literary Quotes Ever ...
Fahrenheit 451 is one of my all time favorite novels! It started the age of modern dystopian novels, and warned society about losing its sense of creativity. From the novel, this is one of my favorite lines! It's a great reminder to see on your body every day.

3

The Catcher in the Rye

tattoo,skin,arm,mouth,hand, Via The Best Literary Quotes Ever ...
The Catcher in the Rye is a coming-of-age story almost everyone loves! The best thing about this line particularly is that you can interpret it in a number of ways. To me, this quote means "Ask her if she still plays it safe, or if she's a risk taker now", but based on your interpretation of the novel, it could mean a thousand other things!

UPD:

The Catcher in the Rye is a 1951 novel by American author J. D. Salinger. It follows the story of Holden Caulfield, a 16-year-old adolescent boy, as he struggles with the complexities of life and growing up. The novel has become an iconic coming-of-age story, and is considered one of the greatest works of literature of the 20th century.

The quote featured in the article is from the novel and is spoken by Holden Caulfield. It is a reflection on the complexities of life and the choices we make, and can be interpreted in many different ways. The quote has become a popular tattoo choice for many people, as it serves as a reminder of the importance of taking risks and living life to the fullest.

The Catcher in the Rye is a beloved classic, and the novel has been translated into more than 30 languages. It has also been adapted into a play, a film, and a television series. The novel has been the subject of numerous scholarly works, and is still widely read and studied in universities across the world.

4

The Tempest

tattoo,eyebrow,skin,arm,hand, Via 50 Incredible Tattoos Inspired By ...
Not only do I love this quote from Shakespeare's The Tempest, but I also love the design around it! Sure, bad things happen, but that's just the prologue to the more amazing parts of your life to come!

UPD:

This quote from Shakespeare's The Tempest is featured in an article about tattoo quotes from classic literature, published on a women-focused blog in the beauty category. The article features 50 incredible tattoos inspired by classic literature, and this particular tattoo is a great example of how a meaningful quote can be incorporated into a beautiful design. The design features a ship in the middle of a stormy sea, emphasizing the idea of bad things happening, but also the idea that this is only the prologue to better things to come.

5

Alice in Wonderland

tattoo,skin,arm,finger,close up, Via The Best Literary Quotes Ever ...
This is probably the truest quote on the list! Lewis Carol's words never go out of style, because we are all completely insane in completely different ways, so we might as well embrace it!

Famous Quotes

Love is like a friendship caught on fire. In the beginning a flame, very pretty, often hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. As love grows older, our hearts mature and our love becomes as coals, deep-burning and unquenchable.

Bruce Lee
6

All the World’s a Stage

tattoo,black and white,pattern,arm,design, Via Log in | Tumblr
Is it becoming obvious that I'm in love with Shakespeare? This is one of his most famous sayings, but I still don't think it's cliched because it's so true! We are all just acting out the roles we choose; seeing this quote every day would encourage me to do something wildly out of the ordinary.

7

Invictus

eyewear,face,nose,glasses,arm, Via 18 Ephemeral Tattoos For Booklovers
The last to lines from the incredible poem "Invictus" are so empowering! How could you not take your life by the horns after waking up and seeing these words every day?

UPD:

The final stanza of William Ernest Henley's poem "Invictus" is a bold declaration of resilience and self-mastery. The lines, "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul," resonate with a powerful sense of control over one's destiny. Imagine starting your day with these words inked on your skin, a constant reminder of inner strength and unyielding courage to face life's challenges head-on—truly, a tattoo for those who resonate with literary wisdom and fierce independence.

8

Heavy

beauty,skin,arm,organ,eye, Via almost june.
This quote from Mary Oliver's poem "Heavy" reminds you that life isn't too much to handle. You were built to endure the worst situations! To me, this is the best tattoo alternative to "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

UPD:

Mary Oliver's poignant verse captures a profound truth about resilience. It serves as a permanent reminder that the human spirit is incredibly robust—a narrative of survival etched in ink. A literary tattoo like this speaks to those who find solace in poetry and want to carry a piece of timeless wisdom on their skin. It becomes a personal manifesto, a totem against life’s turbulence, quietly proclaiming that whatever challenges arise, they are just contours on the path we're well-equipped to walk.

9

A Midsummer Night's Dream

text,font,arm,calligraphy,sketch, Via 23 Epic Literary Love Tattoos
I promise this is the last Shakespeare quote on the list! If you're one half of a romantic relationship, then you know how true this is. It's a great reminder of how important it is to endure the rough patches in your relationship.

10

Still I Rise

tattoo,arm,calligraphy,hand, One of my favorite poems is "Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou. Why? Because it's the most motivational verse I've ever read, constantly boasting about the resilience of the human spirit.

11

The Fellowship of the Ring

blue,beauty,skin,organ,tattoo, The Lord of the Rings series isn't the most quotable series, but lines like this deserve to be remembered! Life is a journey, and there isn't always a set path. So you'll wander sometimes, but that doesn't necessarily mean you're lost.

UPD:

When considering ink that encapsulates life's unpredictability, J.R.R. Tolkien's wisdom stands out. Imagine the elegant script of "Not all who wander are lost" traced along your collarbone or wrist. It's a subtle nod to the adventurous spirit that resides within all of us—perfect for those who view each day as a chapter in their own epic tale. Embrace the significance of this quote, especially if you've ever felt adrift yet trust in the journey ahead.

12

Slaughterhouse Five

tattoo,handwriting,skin,arm,font, This quote can remind you of a beautiful time in your life, when you felt like you were on top of the world. I guarantee that every time you see it you'll smile!

13

The Lovesong of J. Alfred Prufrock

brassiere,clothing,lingerie,undergarment,mouth, T.S. Eliot's beautiful poem is quotable from beginning to end! But I think this simple phrase makes the best tattoo. There is always time to rest, to dream, to try again, and to do what you life. This open-ended phrase reminds you of all the possibilities your life has, and all the time there is to see them come to life.

14

Pride & Prejudice

tattoo,text,handwriting,skin,arm, Any Pride & Prejudice fan recognizes these two words immediately as part of Darcy's confession of love to Elizabeth. Even though the book phrases it differently ("You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.") this elegant phrasing will always remind you of your beloved Mr. Darcy.

15

Walden

hair,clothing,hairstyle,long hair,arm, Walden, by Henry David Thoreau is a book full of wisdom that hasn't faded over the years. It's absolutely full of amazing lines, but this one is definitely among my favorites. It's your right to demand truth, from yourself and others.

There you have it! Fifteen beautiful quotes that make an excellent choice for your first tattoo. Which one do you love most?

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

I agree with @Apeksha, Great tattoo inspiration!

Great wordings

Tattoos yikes....

i love them tatoos there cute they all remind me of my kids

LOVE THIS POST!! Great tattoo inspiration!

wish i had dat kind of tattoes

If I EVER got a tattoo,(though NOT bloody likely); I'd choose a positive affirmation in calligraphy, written in a foreign language or written backwards so that you'd need a mirror to read it, and I'd put it in an inconspicuous spot.

great Gatsby quote,

While I am fortunate enough to have my body graced by art, I would not hesitate to add either #5 or #12...I think borrowing a quote from Slaughterhouse Five is special 😊Thank you for these suggestions!

Amazing post!!!

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