Hillary Clinton Birthday: 15 Inspirational Quotes From Former Secretary Of State

Hillary Clinton, who served as senator from New York, first lady of the United States and first lady of Arkansas, celebrates her 71st birthday Friday. She ran for president in 2016 and in her concession speech called on supporters to “never stop believing that fighting for what’s right is worth it.”

Here are 15 inspirational sayings to celebrate the former secretary of state's birthday, compiled from Brainy Quote.

1. “It is often when night looks darkest, it is often before the fever breaks that one senses the gathering momentum for change, when one feels that resurrection of hope in the midst of despair and apathy.”

2. “Dignity does not come from avenging insults, especially from violence that can never be justified. It comes from taking responsibility and advancing our common humanity.”

3. “You know, everybody has setbacks in their life, and everybody falls short of whatever goals they might set for themselves. That's part of living and coming to terms with who you are as a person.”

4. "I think the world would be a lot better off if more people were to define themselves in terms of their own standards and values and not what other people said or thought about them."

5. "We should remember that just as a positive outlook on life can promote good health, so can everyday acts of kindness."

6. "Forgiveness is a way of opening up the doors again and moving forward, whether it's a personal life or a national life."

7. “I think that if you live long enough, you realize that so much of what happens in life is out of your control, but how you respond to it is in your control. That's what I try to remember.”

8. “If you believe you can make a difference, not just in politics, in public service, in advocacy around all these important issues, then you have to be prepared to accept that you are not going to get hundred percent approvals.”

9. "Human rights are women’s rights, and women’s rights are human rights. Let us not forget that among those rights are the right to speak freely — and the right to be heard."

10. "We need to understand that there is no formula for how women should lead their lives. That is why we must respect the choices that each woman makes for herself and her family. Every woman deserves the chance to realize her God-given potential."

11. "I challenge assumptions about women. I do make some people uncomfortable, which I’m well aware of, but that’s just part of coming to grips with what I believe is still one of the most important pieces of unfinished business in human history — empowering women to be able to stand up for themselves."

12. "Don’t confuse having a career with having a life."

13. "There is a sense that things, if you keep positive and optimistic about what can be done, do work out."

14. "Take criticism seriously, but not personally. If there is truth or merit in the criticism, try to learn from it. Otherwise, let it roll right off you."

15 "I can’t stand whining. I can’t stand the kind of paralysis that some people fall into because they’re not happy with the choices they’ve made. You live in a time when there are endless choices… Money certainly helps, and having that kind of financial privilege goes a long way, but you don’t even have to have money for it. But you have to work on yourself… Do something!"