100+ Bittersweet Quotes to Appreciate Both Sides of Life

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They say you can’t have a rainbow without rain, and you wouldn’t know what sweetness tasted like without tasting the bitter. Here are 100+ beautiful bittersweet quotes to remind you to appreciate both the bitter and the sweet sides of life.

Bittersweet Quotes | Quotes That are Bittersweet
Bittersweet Quotes | Quotes That are Bittersweet

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Shauna Niequist is one of my favorite writers, and Bittersweet is probably my favorite spiritual book (It’s Christian but I think anyone would enjoy it :)). Many of the bittersweet quotes below are from her book also named Bittersweet.

Bittersweet Quotes
Bittersweet Quotes

100+ Bittersweet Quotes to Appreciate Both Sides of Life

1. “When life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate. And when life is bitter, say thank you and grow.” – Shauna Niequist

Bittersweet Quotes | Quotes that are Bittersweet
Bittersweet Quotes | Quotes that are Bittersweet

2. “There’s always a bittersweet kind of thing, but I feel like everything had to work out the way it is. Everything that had to happen, happened.” – Bruno Mars

3. “It’s kind of bittersweet. The human spirit is not measured by the size of the act, but by the size of the heart.” – Yakov Smirnoff

4. “We sometimes choose the most locked up, dark versions of the story, but what a good friend does is turn on the lights, open the window, and remind us that there are a whole lot of ways to tell the same story.” – Shauna Niequist

5. “If you begin to face your fears, something bittersweet is going to happen to you: You’ll grow up.” – Martha Beck

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6. “…sometimes the happiest ending isn’t the one you keep longing for, but something you absolutely cannot see from where you are.” – Shauna Niequist

7. “To me, the human experience does involve a great deal of anguish. It’s joyful, but it’s bittersweet. I just think that’s life.” – Amy Grant

8. “When things fall apart, the broken pieces allow all sorts of things to enter, and one of them is the presence of God.” – Shauna Niequist

9. “Life hands us opportunities at every turn to get over ourselves, to get outside ourselves, to wake up from our own bad dreams and realize that really lovely things are happening all the time.” – Shauna Niequist

10. “Experience life in all possible ways — good-bad, bitter-sweet, dark-light, summer-winter. Experience all the dualities. Don’t be afraid of experience, because the more experience you have, the more mature you become.” – Rajneesh

11. “But our hearts are more elastic than we think, and the work of forgiveness and transformation and growth can do things you can’t even imagine from where you’re standing now.” – Shauna Niequist

12. “Happiness. Simple as a glass of chocolate or tortuous as the heart. Bitter. Sweet. Alive.” – Joanne Harris

13. “I believe in a very deep way that our past is what brings us to our future. When I pray for someone, I thank God for every day of their life, for every moment, for every heartbreak and each moment of happiness that has brought them to be this person at this time. I believe in mining through the darkest seasons in our lives and choosing to believe that we’ll find something important every time.” – Shauna Niequist

14. “what is empty will be filled, what is broken will be repaired, and what is lost can always be found, no matter how many times it’s been lost.” – Shauna Niequist

15. “We thought humble and proud at the same time, all at once in love again with this painful bittersweet lovely thing called flight.” – Richard Bach

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16. “I understand the temptation to draw an angry X through a whole season or a whole town or a whole relationship, to crumple it up and throw it away, to get it as far away as possible from a new life, a new future. But I think that’s both the easiest and the most cowardly choice. These days I’m walking over and retrieving those years from the trash, erasing the X, unlocking the door. It’s the only way that darkness turns to light.” – Shauna Niequist

17. “I don’t know if this is a season of sweetness or one of sadness. But I’m learning that neither last forever.” – Shauna Niequist

18. “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” – Dr. Seuss

19. “You want me to say that when you grow, finally, all the changes will stop, but they don’t. There will be another one, another opportunity to grow, to shed your skin, to rise like a phoenix from the ashes, to break out of your cocoon like a perfect new butterfly.” – Shauna Niequist

20. “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying good bye so hard.” – Winnie The Pooh

21. “Bittersweet is the idea that in all things there is both something broken and something beautiful, that there is a sliver of lightness on even the darkest of nights, a shadow of hope in every heartbreak, and that rejoicing is no less rich when it contains a splinter of sadness. Bittersweet is the practice of believing that we really do need both the bitter and the sweet, and that a life of nothing but sweetness rots both your teeth and your soul. Bitter is what makes us strong, what forces us to push through, what helps us earn the lines on our faces and the calluses on our hands.” – Shauna Niequist

More Sayings About the Bitter and the Sweet

“Life is a mixture of bitter and sweet, but it’s the bittersweet moments that make it worth living.”

“Bitterness and sweetness are two sides of the same coin. Embrace both and find balance.”

“The bitter moments in life make the sweet moments even sweeter.”

“The bitterness of yesterday makes the sweetness of today all the more meaningful.”

“Bitter and sweet are just two different flavors of life. Savor both, for each has its own unique taste.”

“Bitterness and sweetness are like fire and ice, they may seem opposite but they both bring light to our lives.”

“The sweet moments in life can only be appreciated because of the bitter moments we’ve faced.”

“Bitterness is a reminder that we have the strength to overcome anything and the sweetness is proof that we can.”

“Bitter and sweet experiences are opportunities to grow and become a better version of ourselves.”

“Bitterness may sting but it is the sweet moments that heal our wounds and bring joy.”

“Without the bitter, the sweet would lose its meaning. Embrace both, for each makes the other more significant.”

“Life is like a lollipop, the bitter and the sweet combined to make a flavor that’s uniquely ours.”

“The bitter moments in life may challenge us, but the sweet moments make it all worthwhile.”

“Life is a blend of bitter and sweet, it’s up to us to choose how to savor each moment.”

“Bitter and sweet are two different facets of life. Embrace both, for they both shape who we are.”

“Life is a mix of bitter and sweet moments, but the taste of each depends on our perspective.”

“The bitterness of a tough experience is often the precursor to the sweetest growth.”

“The bitter and sweet moments of life shape us into the person we are meant to be.”

“It’s the balance of bitter and sweet moments that make life rich and flavorful.”

“Embrace the bitter and sweet, they both hold lessons that help us grow stronger.”

More Sayings About Accepting the Bitter with the Sweet

“Embrace the bittersweet moments, they make life rich and full.”

“It’s in the bittersweet moments that we grow and truly live.”

“The sweet and bitter are intertwined, making life a beautiful journey.”

“The bitter moments give us a greater appreciation for the sweet.”

“Accepting both the bitter and the sweet is what makes life complete.”

“Life is a balance of the bitter and the sweet, and it’s our job to make the most of it.”

“The sweetness of life is sweeter when it’s contrasted with the bitter.”

“Finding joy in the midst of bitter moments is the true test of strength.”

“The bitter moments are there to make us stronger, not to break us.”

“Life is not all sunshine, but the bitter moments make the sweet moments shine brighter.”

“The sweetness and bitterness of life create a unique and beautiful story.”

“Take the bitter with the sweet, and you will find a life that’s truly worth living.”

“The bitter moments teach us lessons and the sweet moments bring us joy.”

“Every bitter moment has the potential to lead to something sweet.”

“The balance of the bitter and the sweet is what keeps life interesting.”

“Life is a mixture of both bitter and sweet, but it’s up to us to find the joy in both.”

“Embrace the bitter moments, for they shape who we are and what we become.”

“Life is not just about the sweet moments, it’s about experiencing the bitter and overcoming it.”

“The bitter and the sweet are two sides of the same coin, and it’s how we choose to see it that matters.”

“Embrace the journey of both the bitter and the sweet, for it is what makes life truly beautiful.”

More Sayings About a Bittersweet Life

“Bittersweet moments are life’s way of reminding us of what we’ve gained and what we’ve lost, but that doesn’t mean we have to lose sight of the beauty in between.”

“Life is a rollercoaster of emotions, but the bittersweet moments are what make us appreciate the sweet ones even more.”

“The bittersweet journey of life is what makes us grow and become the person we’re meant to be.”

“Bittersweet memories are the ones that leave a lasting impact, and the ones we’ll always cherish.”

“Bittersweet moments are not the end, but the beginning of a new chapter in life.”

“A bittersweet life is the one that’s full of both happiness and sadness, and that’s what makes it so beautiful.”

“The key to a bittersweet life is to embrace both the sweet and the bitter, and to find joy in each.”

“Bittersweet moments are opportunities to reflect, to learn, and to grow stronger.”

“When life gives you a bittersweet experience, choose to turn it into a sweet memory.”

“Bittersweet moments are a reminder that life is a precious gift, and we should cherish every moment of it.”

“Life is a journey of both joy and sorrow, but the bittersweet moments are what make it all worth it.”

“Bittersweet moments can make us appreciate the good times even more, and give us the strength to face the bad times.”

“Life is a journey of ups and downs, and the bittersweet moments are what make it so interesting.”

“Bittersweet experiences are what shape us into the person we are today, and what will shape us into the person we will become.”

“Bittersweet moments are a reminder that life is full of surprises, and we never know what’s around the corner.”

“The bittersweet moments of life are what make it so meaningful and worth living.”

“Bittersweet moments are a reminder to cherish the good times and to be grateful for the bad times.”

“Life is a journey of both light and dark, and the bittersweet moments are what make it so beautiful.”

“Bittersweet moments are a chance to appreciate what we have, and to be thankful for what we’ve lost.”

“A bittersweet life is full of memories, both happy and sad, and that’s what makes it so rich and meaningful.”

More Bittersweet Sayings

“Bittersweet moments make us appreciate the sweet ones even more.”

“Life is a mixture of tears and laughter, but the bittersweet moments are what shape us into who we are.”

“The bitter moments are what make us stronger and the sweet ones are what make us appreciate life.”

“Bittersweet memories are the ones that stay with us forever.”

“A bittersweet life is one that is filled with both pain and joy, but it’s all worth it in the end.”

“The beauty of life lies in the balance of its bitter and sweet moments.”

“Bittersweet is the taste of life and it’s what makes it so unique and precious.”

“The journey of life is not always easy, but it’s the bittersweet moments that make it worth it.”

“Bittersweet experiences are what make us grow and learn, and it’s what shapes us into who we are.”

“Life is a series of ups and downs, but it’s the bittersweet moments that make it memorable.”

“Embrace the bitter moments, for they often lead to the sweetest memories.”

“Bittersweet moments are a reminder that life is precious and that we should cherish every moment.”

“We may not always understand why life is bittersweet, but it’s the journey that makes it worth it.”

“Bittersweet moments are what make us appreciate the good times even more.”

“The bittersweet reality of life is that it’s never perfect, but it’s always worth it.”

“It’s the bittersweet moments in life that teach us the greatest lessons and shape us into who we are.”

“Life is a balance of bitter and sweet moments, and it’s up to us to find the beauty in both.”

“Bittersweet memories are a reminder of how far we’ve come and how much we’ve grown.”

“The bittersweet moments in life are what make us appreciate the little things even more.”

“Bittersweet experiences may be difficult at times, but they are what make us appreciate life and all its beauty.”

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