Top 35 People Come and Go Quotes
🕒 Last Updated on March 14, 2025
Top 35 ‘people come and go’ quotes: Insights on Life’s Changing Relationships
People come and go. They become part of your life for a short time, then they move along. Some leave a lasting impression on your life. Others just leave their mark for a brief period of time.
Life is full of connections that change over time. Some people stay with you for years while others pass through quickly.
You may wonder why certain relationships end and what they meant in your journey.
These quotes about people coming and going will help you understand that each person enters your life for a reason, whether to teach you something valuable or share a meaningful experience.
They offer wisdom about accepting the natural flow of relationships and appreciating the lessons learned from each person who crosses your path.
The temporary nature of some connections doesn’t diminish their importance in shaping who you are today.
A quote by Benjamin Franklin gives us the right idea about what people are made of.
‘People come and go, but our character stays forever.’Benjamin Franklin
This quote by Benjamin Franklin helps us to remember that we need to keep growing and improving ourselves to stay relevant in this world.
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The quote “People come and go, but our character stays forever” reflects Benjamin Franklin’s belief in the enduring nature of personal integrity and moral character.
While this specific phrasing may not be directly attributed to Franklin in historical texts, it aligns with his numerous writings and aphorisms that emphasize the importance of character and virtue.
In Franklin’s view, character is shaped by our actions, decisions, and the values we uphold. He famously stated, “It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it,” highlighting the fragility of reputation compared to the lasting nature of character.
This idea resonates with the notion that while people may enter and exit our lives, the legacy of our character is what truly endures.
You’ve got people around you who are trying to influence your life in one way or another. Maybe they’re your friends, family members, co-workers, or strangers in line at the grocery store.
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5 Quotes to Remind You That’s Just Life
These 5 quotes will inspire you to keep going and never give up. If you are a quote lover, this list of Inspirational People Come and Go Quotes will help you live life with greater meaning and purpose.
This collection of inspirational people’s quotes will encourage you to realize that not everyone who begins a journey with you will complete it.
It’s all a part of life that every one of us has to face sooner or later. In reality, some people will and others will stay… but that’s okay.
These quotes I’m going to share with you are about the reality that people come and go but life goes on.
1) “Everyone that’s been in your life has been there for a reason” – Beth Elkassih – Made You Smile Back
This is a unique and original quote I myself wrote. It is a powerful quote that reminds you that people enter your life with purpose. I personally experienced this by realizing that God places people in your path sometimes for reasons we don’t understand until time has past.
I know this because it was the ”rudeness of a stranger” that literally saved both the lives of my third daughter and myself. This person was a nurse. My experience with her was only about 30 minutes…
A short time but the impact of her presence and by her ‘rudeness’, she was meant to be in my life at that precise moment. (For more information, check out this blog entitled: “The Power of Unexpected Miracles.”
To make a long story short, let me explain. I was in the Emergency Room 7 1/2 months pregnant and was experiencing acute abdominal pain.
I was told I would need to stay overnight so that my doctor could do ‘exploratory surgery’ to determine the cause.
The attending nurse explained that she needed to do an IV for me. I hate IVs and when she left, I overhead her say to another nurse: “I don’t know what all the fuss is about… she’s just an old mother and probably just passing gas!”
Well! How unprofessional was that! When she said those words, I noted that my pain had somewhat subsided and I for one was NOT going to stay to get an IV and have ‘exploratory surgery.’ I ended up demanding to be released from the hospital and I went back home.
So when a month later I ended up having a C-Section with my third daughter, I suffered life-threatening issues of having placenta percreta where the placenta tears a hole in the womb.
My daughter could have suffered loss of oxygen and ended up with cerebral palsy and for myself, I hemorrhaged and could have ‘bled out’ if I hadn’t been in a hospital.
While in my 2 week recovery at the hospital, a lady doctor came to visit me. She was the attending surgeon when I gave birth. She asked me if I remembered when I left the ER a few weeks before and demanded to be released.
She told point blank, I was the attending doctor and I suspected you had a hernia.
“IF YOU HAD STAYED IN THE HOSPITAL, AND IT WAS DISCOVERED YOU HAD PLACENTA PERCRETA, WE WOULD HAVE ABORTED YOUR CHILD!”
With chills coming up my spine, I realized that the “rudeness of a stranger”, or the “rudeness of that nurse” saved both my child’s and my lives!
So you see… everyone who comes into your life is for a reason! Even total strangers… even if the experience is a brief moment! Think about it!
2) “Seasons change, so do cities. People come into your life, and people go, but it’s comforting to know: the ones you love are always in your heart and, if you’re very lucky, a plane ride away.” Michael Patrick King
This heartfelt quote from Michael Patrick King reminds you that life is constantly changing. Cities transform, and relationships evolve.
People will enter and exit your journey, but the connection you share with loved ones remains in your heart.
Distance becomes less significant when you realize those you cherish are just a plane ride away.
When you feel lonely, remember that the ones you love stay with you in spirit, regardless of physical separation. This quote encourages you to embrace change while treasuring meaningful relationships.
3) “Sometimes people come into your life just to teach you how to let go.” Unknown
This powerful quote reminds you that not everyone stays permanently in your life.
Some people appear briefly, teaching you valuable lessons about releasing attachments.
4) “People come, people go – they’ll drift in and out of your life, almost like characters in a favorite book. When you finally close the cover, the characters have told their story, and you start up again with another book, and complete with new characters and adventures. Then you find yourself focusing on the new ones, not the ones from the past.” Nicholas Sparks
This powerful quote from Nicholas Sparks compares relationships to reading books.
You meet people throughout your life who enter and exit just like characters in stories. When one chapter ends, you naturally begin another with new faces.
5) “Your time is way too valuable to be wasting on people that can’t accept who you are.” Turcois Ominek
This powerful quote reminds you to value yourself. Life is short, so spend it with those who appreciate you.
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5 Come and Go Quotes
Everyone who we get acquainted with has a significant impact on our evolution as human beings.
Some remain just acquaintances while others become friends.
Some friends are with us for a lifetime, but some leave after a short time. But whatever the duration of friendship, some friend relationships are those we cherish when they appear in our life and make it more meaningful.
Enjoy these quotes about true friendship and please share with those friends you care about.
6) “People come and go from your life, and it’s nature’s rule but some people will come into your life, they are not just like normal people, but they go from your life by giving you so many memories which never fade away from your life till your last breath.” Anjali Jha
This quote reminds you that connections are temporary. Some people leave lasting impressions in your life.
7) Friends come and go, but true friends leave footprints in your heart. Yashraj Suman
This beautiful quote by Yashraj Suman reminds you that while many people enter and exit your life, those who truly matter leave a lasting impression.
True friends impact your heart in ways that remain even after they’ve gone. Their influence stays with you forever.
You might encounter countless people throughout life, but only special connections leave those footprints that time cannot erase.
8) Just remember, some come, some go. The ones that stay with you through everything they’re your true best friends. Don’t let go of them.” Beth Elkassih – Made You Smile Back
This quote reminds you that friendship is about quality, not quantity. True best friends remain by your side through all of life’s challenges.
When you face difficult times, you discover who genuinely cares. The people who stay with you through everything are rare and valuable.
Beth Elkassih’s words encourage you to appreciate and hold onto these meaningful relationships. Not everyone will remain in your life forever, but those who do deserve your loyalty.
9) “Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on. The older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.” Mary Schmich
This powerful quote reminds you that while many friendships are temporary, some deserve special effort.
People who knew you in your formative years understand your history and foundation. They remember who you were before adult responsibilities shaped your current self.
As you age, these connections become increasingly valuable. Work hard to maintain these special relationships despite changes in geography or lifestyle.
These “precious few” friends provide a sense of continuity in your life. They offer perspective that newer acquaintances simply cannot match.
10) “I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for that handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy. Let’s face it, friends make life a lot more fun.” Charles R. Swindoll
In this heartfelt quote Charles R. Swindoll reminds you of friendship’s true value. He acknowledges how friends bring joy and make daily life more enjoyable.
You may notice how Swindoll can’t picture his life without the few special friends who brightened his world. This shows how deeply friends can impact your journey.
When you reflect on your own friendships, you might recognize similar feelings of gratitude. Friends truly do make life’s path more fun to walk.
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5 Quotes and Sayings to Comfort & Bring Peace to Your Life
In this next section of quotes, I present ‘people who come into your life that bring you comfort and peace into your life. Enjoy!
11) “People come into your life and go, but you will always have to live with yourself. Make yourself pleasant, positive, and peaceful.” Akin Olokun
This powerful quote by Akin Olokun reminds you that relationships are temporary, but your relationship with yourself is permanent.
You must prioritize creating a pleasant internal environment since you’re always with yourself.
12) “People come and go, pain comes and goes. But so does joy. And if our hearts are closed because we don’t want to suffer, they won’t be open enough to recognize the joy as it flies by.” Geneen Roth
This powerful quote by Geneen Roth reminds you that life is a mixture of both pain and joy.
When you close your heart to avoid suffering, you also block yourself from experiencing life’s joyful moments.
13) “Remember that people come and go, and of all the people in your life, you are the one who is there to stay. You are the one who can choose to love yourself, choose to respect yourself, and promise with all your heart that you will never leave you.” Kimberly Kirberger
Kimberly Kirberger’s quote reminds you that self-love is a choice you make every day. While others may enter and exit your life, you remain constant.
14) “God doesn’t give you the people you want, he gives you the people you need. To help you, to hurt you, to leave you, to love you, and to make you the person you were meant to be.” Unknown
This popular quote reminds you that relationships serve a greater purpose in your life.
People enter your life for specific reasons, not always matching your desires but fulfilling your needs. Some help you grow, while others teach you through pain.
The message suggests that every person you meet plays a role in shaping who you become. Even difficult relationships contribute to your development.
15) “People come and go, but love always remain. Sometimes beautiful and sometimes a beautiful ache, but love always remains.” J.M. Storm
J.M. Storm’s quote reminds you that while people come and go in your life, love endures.
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5 Quotes About Relationships – The Right Ones Will Always Stay
Acceptance is what makes life meaningful. The earlier you accept that people can not always stay in your life, the more peaceful your life will be.
See also Pay It Forward, Watch the World Sparkle: The Ripple Effect of Kindness
Let these next quotes about people who come and go in your life relationships inspire and resonate with you on a deeper level.
16) “People come and go. Everyone that’s been in your life has been there for a reason, to teach you, to love you, or to experience life with you.” Anonymous
This powerful quote reminds you that relationships serve different purposes in your life journey.
Some people enter your life briefly, while others stay longer. Each person teaches you something valuable or shares meaningful experiences with you.
When you understand this wisdom, you can appreciate everyone’s role in your personal growth, even after they’ve moved on.
17) “I’ve come to realize that the only people I need in my life are the ones who need me in theirs even when I have nothing else to offer them but myself.” Unknown
This powerful quote about relationships reminds you that true connections aren’t based on what you provide materially.
The people who value your presence when you have nothing else to offer are those worth keeping in your life.
They appreciate you for who you are, not what you can give them.
In your relationships, look for those who need you in their lives simply because you’re you.
These authentic connections form the foundation of lasting bonds.
18) “There will always be a reason why you meet people. Either you need to change your life, or you’re the one that’ll change theirs.” Louis and Champagne
This meaningful quote reminds you that encounters with others are rarely random.
Every person who enters your life serves a purpose.
Some people appear when you need guidance or a fresh perspective. They challenge your thinking and help you grow in unexpected ways.
Others cross your path because they need something you can provide.
Your wisdom, kindness, or mere presence might be exactly what transforms their journey.
This exchange of influence creates a beautiful ripple effect. You might never fully understand the impact of your connections until much later.
19) “Because people come and go. And those who stay are those whom we should never let go of.” Unknown
This profound quote reminds you to value the people who remain in your life.
People who choose to stay through difficult times prove their loyalty and commitment to you.
20) “When people walk away from you, let them go. Your destiny is never tied to anyone who leaves you, and it doesn’t mean they are bad people. It just means that their part in your story is over.” Unknown
This powerful quote reminds you that it’s okay when relationships end. When people walk away, you should allow them to leave without resistance.
Your future isn’t connected to those who choose to exit your life.
Their departure doesn’t make them bad people.
It simply means their role in your personal journey has concluded.
This understanding can help you move forward with grace rather than bitterness.
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5 Quotes About Memories Last Forever & Make You Smile
No matter if you’re having a fun time with your friends or are deeply connected to your loved one, some moments can last forever.
Sadly, even the most beautiful moment comes to an end.
It’s a simple fact: life changes and sometimes presents us with new opportunities and adventures. But it’s not easy.
Let these next quotes make an imprint and note which one stirs your soul more than the others.
21) “Do you know how there are moments when the world moves so slowly you can feel your bones shifting, your mind tumbling? When you think that no matter what happens to you for the rest of your life, you will remember every last detail of that one minute forever?” Jodi Picoult
This powerful quote from Jodi Picoult describes those rare, intense moments that feel frozen in time.
You’ve likely experienced these moments when everything seems to slow down.
They’re the instances that burn into your memory forever.
These profound moments often come during major life transitions, when people enter or leave your life.
22) “Life brings tears, smiles, and memories. The tears dry, the smiles fade, but the memories last forever.” Unknown
This powerful quote reminds you that emotions are temporary but memories remain.
Your tears will dry and smiles will fade with time. Yet the memories you create will stay with you forever.
23) “Friends are the most important part of your life. Treasure the tears, treasure the laughter, but most importantly, treasure the memories.” Dave Brenner
Dave Brenner reminds you that friendships create your life’s most valuable treasures.
Your friends share both your joyful and difficult moments.
These shared experiences become memories worth keeping forever. You should appreciate each emotion and moment spent with friends.
24) “Humans, not places, make memories.” Ama Ata Aidoo
This powerful quote by Ama Ata Aidoo reminds you that connections with people create lasting memories, not just locations.
25) “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” Harriet Tubman
This famous quote reminds you that all achievements start with a vision.
You possess everything needed to pursue your dreams.
The strength, patience, and passion mentioned are qualities already within you.
Research suggests this may be a misattributed quote, though it continues to inspire many people seeking motivation.
The message encourages you to believe in your capabilities. When feeling doubtful, remember these words.
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5 Best Quotes From Famous People Who Come and Go
These are some powerful people who come and go in our lives and influence us in powerful ways.
Someone you don’t even know might have influenced you. You just never knew it.
See also Kindness of Nature: The Magical Touch
In the following list, I present several quotes by famous authors and speakers that will inspire you and help change your life.
26) “Every encounter adds layers to your own narrative” – Anonymous
Meeting people shapes who you are.
Each person you interact with adds something new to your life story.
Think about how conversations and relationships have changed you.
Even brief encounters can teach valuable lessons or shift your perspective.
You create a richer life story through these connections. Your narrative becomes more complex with each new person you meet.
27) “Since we cannot change reality, let us change the eyes which see reality.” Nikos Kazantzakis
This powerful quote from Greek writer Nikos Kazantzakis invites you to shift your perspective when facing unchangeable situations.
When reality feels overwhelming, you can change how you see it.
Kazantzakis suggests that your perception shapes your experience.
28) “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” Barack Obama
This powerful quote from Barack Obama reminds you that waiting for change is futile.
You are the catalyst for the transformation you desire.
When you wait for others to create change, you surrender your power.
29) “One child, one teacher, one pen, and one book can change the world” Malala Yousafzai
This powerful quote comes from Malala Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel Prize laureate. She spoke these words during her Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech.
Malala believes in the transformative power of education.
After surviving an attack by the Taliban for advocating girls’ education, she became a global symbol of peaceful resistance.
When you read this quote, remember that even small actions can lead to big changes.
One person with knowledge and determination can truly make a difference in the world.
30) “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking.” Steve Jobs
This powerful quote from Steve Jobs reminds you to value your limited time on earth.
You have one life to live.
Don’t spend it trying to fulfill someone else’s expectations or dreams.
Jobs warns against being trapped by dogma – rigid beliefs that come from others rather than your own thinking.
Your authentic path matters more than following conventional wisdom. Trust your own voice and intuition.
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Come and Go Quotes & Sayings to Remind Us of Self-Reflection
I would be amiss if I did not continue with presenting more ‘people come and go quotes’. I present these to you for more self-reflection and how life-changing they may be.
31) “Time will pass and people come and go. People come and go in our life but memories stay forever.” Debasish Mridha
This quote reminds you that relationships are often temporary.
While people may enter and exit your life, the memories you create together remain.
32) “People come, people go – they’ll drift in and out of your life, almost like characters in a favorite book. When you finally close the cover, the characters have told their story and you start up again with another book, complete with new characters and adventures. Then you find yourself focusing on the new ones, not the ones from the past.” Nicholas Sparks
This quote from Nicholas Sparks compares relationships to reading books.
You experience people entering and leaving your life just as characters appear and disappear in stories.
When one chapter ends, new beginnings follow.
Sparks reminds you that it’s natural to focus on new connections rather than dwelling on past relationships.
33) “So many people enter and leave your life! Hundreds of thousands of people! You have to keep the door open so they can come in! But it also means you have to let them go!” Jonathan Safran Foer
This profound quote comes from Jonathan Safran Foer’s novel Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. The character Mr. Black shares this wisdom during a meaningful conversation.
When you reflect on your life, you’ll notice countless people have walked through your door.
Friends, acquaintances, colleagues, and loved ones all enter at different times.
Foer’s quote reminds you that openness to new relationships requires accepting that people will also leave. This natural cycle of human connections can be both beautiful and painful.
You must keep your heart and mind open for new people while having the courage to let others go when necessary.
This balance creates space for growth and new experiences.
34) “No matter what is going on in your life today, remember, it is only preparation. People come and go; situations rise and fall; it’s all preparation for better things. You must stretch, reach, and grow into your goodness. Without the preparation we receive through adversity, disappointment, confusion, or pain, we could not appreciate the good when it arrives.” Iyanla Vanzant
This powerful quote from Iyanla Vanzant reminds you that life’s challenges are temporary and purposeful.
When people enter and exit your life, they’re preparing you for something better. Each relationship teaches you valuable lessons.
Situations change constantly. The ups and downs aren’t random – they’re building your resilience and character.
You must actively stretch beyond your comfort zone to reach your potential. Growth doesn’t happen without effort.
The difficulties you face today create the contrast needed to truly appreciate future joys. Without darkness, you wouldn’t recognize light.
35) “People come and go, pain comes and goes. But so does joy. And if our hearts are closed because we don’t want to suffer, they won’t be open enough to recognize the joy as it flies by.” Geneen Roth
This powerful quote reminds you that life contains both pain and joy. Neither state is permanent.
When you close your heart to avoid pain, you also block joy from entering. Your protection becomes your prison.
Roth suggests keeping your heart open despite the risks. This openness allows you to experience the full range of emotions that make life meaningful.
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Understanding the Nature of Change
Change is a fundamental part of human existence that shapes our connections with others.
People enter and exit our lives for various reasons, teaching us valuable lessons about relationships and personal growth.
The Impact of Transience on Relationships
When people come and go from your life, it creates opportunities for growth and self-discovery.
These transitions, though sometimes painful, often reveal who truly belongs in your journey.
As Barack Obama wisely noted, change comes from within, not from waiting for others to make it happen. This applies to relationships too.
You might notice patterns in your connections—some people appear briefly to teach important lessons, while others remain steadfast companions.
Bruce Lee recognized this when he said that “some people pass through your life to teach, and some to stay forever”.
Transient relationships often serve specific purposes in your development. They may challenge your perspectives, introduce new ideas, or help you recognize unhealthy patterns.
Embracing Change as a Part of Life
The ancient philosopher Heraclitus famously stated that “change is the only constant in life”.
This perspective helps you approach relationship shifts with greater resilience.
Instead of resisting people’s departures, you can view them as natural transitions. This mindset transforms potential heartbreak into acceptance and forward movement.
Ways to embrace relational change:
- Appreciate what each person brought to your life
- Extract valuable lessons from both arrivals and departures
- Focus on your own growth rather than controlling others’ actions
- Practice gratitude for meaningful connections, however brief
Your perspective on change heavily influences how you navigate life’s relationships.
When you embrace change proactively, you position yourself to benefit from life’s inevitable transitions rather than being devastated by them.
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And that’s okay. That’s how it’s supposed to be.
In Conclusion – Final Last Words
Remember one thing… life just goes on no matter who stays and who leaves you.
We come across many people from different walks of life. Some of them become our friends, some our family, co-workers, soulmate and even remote people we barely know.
It is my firm belief, there is a reason for every person who is placed ‘in your path’. As you continue this journey through your life, you should soon realize that not everyone who started with you will finish with you or arrive with you at your final destination.
And that’s okay. That’s how it’s supposed to be.
I carry these quotes with you as gentle reminders that life’s ebb and flow of relationships is natural and meaningful.
Each hello and goodbye shapes who you become.
Join in the Conversation
I invite and highly encourage you to share your favorite quotes in the comments below.
About Me – Beth Elkassih, Creator of Made You Smile Back
I love writing quotes and have recently published “365 Unique Quotes – A Year of Uplifting Your Spirit” which is available in all major retail book stores and of course Amazon. You can read more about my Bio here ==> http://madeyousmileback.com/about/
