25 Tear-Jerking and Hilarious Mother's Day Quotes to Celebrate You

Mothers are an invaluable part of the workforce — and they often get the job done without much support or help. And as we aim to reach our career goals, we know living a well-balanced, fulfilling life is part of that. That’s why celebrating and acknowledging Mother’s Day is important, even when we feel consumed by work or other aspects of our lives.

For me, becoming a mother started a wave of feeling things deeply in my life, in ways nothing else ever had. From the moment of seeing that heartbeat on the ultrasound, to feeling baby’s kicks, to that day of giving birth, and now each day, being both amazed and worried about my children’s happiness and health, there are remarkably high highs and very low lows. 

We are brave, strong and imperfect as mothers. We love our children deeply and fiercely, and we all deserve to feel like we are enough. Especially on this Mother’s Day. Because you are a wonderful mother with a big heart. 

If you need a tug at the heart strings or a reminder of some beautiful words famous people have shared about their mothers throughout time, check out these 25 wonderful quotes about mothers (you won't find these on any old Mother's Day card!). From entertainers, to authors, to presidents, their words capture so eloquently what it means to be a mother.

1. "To describe my mother would be to write about a hurricane in its perfect power. Or the climbing, falling colors of a rainbow."  — Maya Angelou

2. "If evolution really works, how come mothers only have two hands?" — Milton Berle

3. "The phrase 'working mother' is redundant." — Jane Sellman

4. "A mother's arms are made of tenderness and children sleep soundly in them."  — Victor Hugo

5. "Who is getting more pleasure from this rocking, the baby or me?"  — Nancy Thayer

6. "Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother." — Oprah Winfrey

7. "Kids don't stay with you if you do it right. It's the one job where, the better you are, the more surely you won't be needed in the long run." — Barbara Kingsolver

8. "A mother's arms are more comforting than anyone else's." — Princess Diana

9. "Being a mom has made me so tired. And so happy." — Tina Fey

10. "Any mother could perform the jobs of several air-traffic controllers with ease."  — Lisa Alther

11. "Mother is a verb.  It's something you do.  Not just who you are."  — Cheryl Lacey Donovan

12. "Before becoming a mother I had a hundred theories on how to bring up children. Now I have seven children and only one theory: love them, especially when they least deserve to be loved." — Kate Samperi

13. "Sooner or later we all quote our mothers."  — Bern Williams

14. "My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual, and physical education I received from her." — George Washington

15. "I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life." — Abraham Lincoln

16. "I know that [my mother] was the kindest, most generous spirit I have ever known, and that what is best in me I owe to her."  - Barak Obama

17. "There is no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one." — Jill Churchill

18. "There is such a special sweetness in being able to participate in creation." — Pamela S. Nadav

19. "[Motherhood is] the biggest gamble in the world. It is the glorious life force. It’s huge and scary — it’s an act of infinite optimism." — Gilda Radner

20. "Motherhood was the great equalizer for me; I started to identify with everybody." — Annie Lennox

21. "I believe in the strength and intelligence and sensitivity of women. My mother, my sisters, [they] are strong. My mum is a strong woman and I love her for it." — Tom Hiddlesto

22. "It’s really important for my kids to see that everyone doesn’t have the lives they see in Los Angeles... That doesn’t reflect the rest of the world. I want them to grow up with the Southern values I had — to look at people when they say hello and to stop and smell the roses. If I could do half as good a job as my mom did, I’d be pretty happy." — Jennifer Garner

23. "To listen to people and to treat them well. That's something she does with every person she meets. My mum's had cancer three times, and she's always remained charmingly free of cynicism, very open to life, and wonderfully gentle while at the same time strong. Strength does not have to be belligerent and loud." — Russell Bran

24. "She was an extraordinary mother. She was so selfless... She was one of those very, very kind people that loved to do everything for others. I could never be as good of a mother or person... She made me feel like I had a voice and that no matter what would happen, I knew she'd love me." — Angelina Joli

25. "We're best friends — she's a very special woman. She's been so supportive. She's partly the reason why I have so much respect for women. I'm never going to find someone as good as my mother, am I?" — Justin Timberlake

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms!