Queen Elizabeth kept things real with these quotes.
Whether as part of her public speeches or quick messages, Queen Elizabeth had a way to cut to the chase. She knew—and wanted us all to know—she was still human like the rest of us (but with a little more help around the house!). We are blessed with families, with work to do, and with a great responsibility to fellow humankind.
9. “Like all the best families, we have our share of eccentricities, of impetuous and wayward youngsters and of family disagreements.” ~Queen Elizabeth II
10. “Work is the rent you pay for the room you occupy on earth.” ~Queen Elizabeth II
11. “The world is not the most pleasant place. Eventually, your parents leave you and nobody is going to go out of their way to protect you unconditionally. You need to learn to stand up for yourself and what you believe and sometimes, pardon my language, kick some ass.” ~Queen Elizabeth II
12. “Grief is the price we pay for love.” ~Queen Elizabeth II
13. “It has always been easy to hate and destroy. To build and to cherish is much more difficult.” ~Queen Elizabeth II
14. “Good memories are our second chance at happiness.” ~Queen Elizabeth II
15. “With age does come experience and that can be a virtue if it is sensibly used.” ~Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth surprised us with humorous quotes.
Who doesn’t enjoy a deep, belly laugh? Because of the Queen’s vital role in reigning over England and the Commonwealth, her humor was all the more appreciated. Her daily responsibilities demanded intentional and thoughtful responses, and everyone was refreshed by her quick wit.
16. “If I wore beige, nobody would know who I am.” ~Queen Elizabeth II
17. “Let us not take ourselves too seriously. None of us has a monopoly on wisdom.” ~Queen Elizabeth II
18. “I should like to be a horse.” ~Queen Elizabeth II
Ponder your own life and take the time to pen a few of your own quotes. Are you quick with wit? Do you consider yourself wise? What words of wisdom are overheard from you on your best day? Or, what would make you laugh (or cringe) if others would hear your words on your worst day?
I am thankful that my words, wardrobe choices, actions, family, and hairstyles aren’t on display for a global audience. But, in a similar and more convicting way, we’re all called to be on display for Jesus. No one lives life in complete isolation. God created us for community—to engage with Him and each other. We are to be the floodlights illuminating His greatness, love, and goodness to those around us.
Proverbs 16:24 says, “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”
Let’s commit to using our words for His glory today. We might be speaking to a toddler covered in mud, in a packed lecture hall at an Ivy League university, or to our best friends over coffee. I encourage you to inspire, share your wisdom, and add as much wit as humanly possible along the way.
