The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.
Chinese Proverb
About this quote
Chinese Proverb on drive, action, and pushing past resistance, distilled into a single line: "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.". It is one of the more shared lines in our motivation collection, and for good reason.
Motivation quotes work best when they are short enough to remember in the middle of a hard moment. A single line on your lock screen can pull you back into the right mindset faster than any productivity app.
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Frequently asked questions
Who said "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. Th..."?+
This motivation quote is attributed to Chinese Proverb. You can find more quotes like it in the MOTIVATION collection on Walpium.
How can I use this quote as a wallpaper?+
Tap "Preview on Wallpaper" to open the Create tool with this quote loaded. Pick a background, choose a font and layout, then export a high resolution image you can set as your phone's lock screen.
Is this motivation quote free to share?+
Yes. All quotes on Walpium are free to read, share, and turn into wallpapers for personal use.
Where can I find more motivation quotes?+
Browse the full MOTIVATION category for more motivation quotes, available in six languages. New quotes are added regularly.
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