I have compiled a lively list of zest for life quotes with full citations, that linked to their original sources.
In other words, all the zest quotes here are definitely authentic.
Anyway, what is zest?
Zest means liveliness or energy or animating spirit. It is a strength or courage possessed by humanity.
For example you say he has a zest for living. In other words, he lives his life with keen relish and gusto.
It is defined as living life with a sense of great excitement, anticipation, and hearty enjoyment.
The synonyms for zest would be words like, gusto, zeal, vim, verve and vivacity.
Zest For Life Quotes With Full Citations
Now, here are my favorite zest for life quotations to enliven up your mood.
“…for it is in the compelling zest of high adventure and of victory, and in creative action, that man finds his supreme joys.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupery
“…c’est de la création que l’homme tire d’abord ses joies et du goût puissant de l aventure et de la victoire.” (French)
(The Wisdom Of The Sands By Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Translated To English And Introduced By Stuart Gilbert, New York: Harcourt, Brace, 1950, P. 86)
(The quote in French is found in: Citadelle By Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Paris: Gallimard, 1948, XXI) source
“Forbid a man to think for himself or to act for himself and you may add the joy of piracy and the zest of smuggling to his life.” – Elbert Hubbard
(Little Journeys To The Homes Of Eminent Artists By Elbert Hubbard, The Roycrofters, 1916, Velasquez, P.170)
(The quote is also found in: Little Journeys To The Homes Of Eminent Artists By Elbert Hubbard, The Roycrofters, 1902, Velasquez, P. 150)
“The zest for life and self-confidence of the whole nation were perfectly conveyed by those thousand upward-pointing obelisks.” – Christian Dior
(Dior By Dior: The Autobiography Of Christian Dior, Translated By Antonia Fraser, London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1957, Pt. One: The Birth Of Maison Christian Dior, An Innocent Abroad In The USA, P. 44) source
“They had zest and enthusiasm and so they attracted zest and enthusiasm. Life does give back in kind.” – Norman Vincent Peale
(Norman Vincent Peale’s Treasury Of Joy And Enthusiasm, New York: Random House, 1982, The Importance To You Of Joy and Enthusiasm, P. 21) source
(The source of the quote is also found in: Norman Vincent Peale’s Treasury Of Joy And Enthusiasm, Fawcett Columbine, 1996, The Importance To You Of Joy and Enthusiasm, P. 30)
“What hunger is in relation to food, zest is in relation to life.” – Bertrand Russell
(The Conquest Of Happiness By Bertrand Russell, London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1932, Part II. Causes Of Happiness, Ch.XI. Zest, P. 159)
(The quote is also found in: The Conquest Of Happiness By Bertrand Russell, Morrisville, North Carolina: Lulu Press, Inc, 2018, Ch.XI. Zest)
“…the zest of life, the peace of life, and the mastery of evil, are all bound together —not accidentally, but by reason of this truth…” – Alfred North Whitehead
(Religion In The Making: Lowell Lectures 1926 By Alfred North Whitehead, Cambridge At The University Press, 1927, Ch. III. Body And Spirit, VII. The Creative Process, PP. 105-6) source
“Living with optimism and anticipation is the zest of life.” – John R. Bisagno
(Principle Preaching: How To Create and Deliver Purpose Driven Sermons For Life Application By John R. Bisagno, B&H Publishing Group, 2002, Ch. 9 Abraham, 3. You Are Never Too Old To Start Again, P .37)
“…if the next generation is to face the future with zest and self-confidence, we must educate them to be original as well as competent” – Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
(Creativity: Flow And The Psychology Of Discovery And Invention By Mihaly Csikszentmihaly, New York: Harper Collins, 2009, One: Setting The Stage, What’s The Good Of Studying Creativity?, P. 12) source
“…if you are writing without zest, without gusto, without love, without fun, you are only half a writer.” – Ray Bradbury
(Zen In The Art of Writing By Ray Bradbury, Santa Barbara, Calif.: Joshua Odell Editions, 1996, The Joy Of Writing, P. 4)
(The quote is also found here.)
“…the zest for life, which is the source of all passion and all insight…” – Pierre Teilhard De Chardin
“…le goût de vivre, source de toute passion et de toute vision…” French)
(Writings In Time Of War By Pierre Teilhard De Chardin, Translated By René Hague, New York: Harper & Row, 1968, The Mystical Milieu, Conclusion, P. 148)
(The quote is also found here.)
(The quote in French is found in: Écrits Du Temps De La Guerre: 1916-1919, Volume 12 Par Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Paris: Éditions Du Seuil, 1976, Le Milieu Mystique, Conclusion, P. 191) source
“Mirth is the sweet wine of human life. It should be offered sparkling with zestful life unto God.” – Henry Ward Beecher
(Life Thoughts By Henry Ward Beecher, Edinburgh: Alexander Strahan & Co., 1860, P. 128) source
(The quote is also found in: Notes From Plymouth Pulpit: A Collection Of Memorable Passages From The Discourses Of Henry Ward Beecher, New York: Harper & Brothers, 1865, D. Don’t Expect Other People’s Experiences, P. 222) source