Mother Knows Best: Advice from 100 brilliant moms

This Mother’s Day isn’t like any other. Many of us aren’t able to visit our moms in person for hugs and kisses or go out to brunch at our favorite restaurant. But regardless of the distance that we’re keeping, one thing that’s timeless is the wisdom that moms impart in our lives.

Using PickFu, we asked 100 people to share the best advice they received from a mom (any mom, not necessarily their own!) We collected our favorites here.

Always be yourself

Just be yourself and try your best. You are the person you are and good things will come to someone that is authentic.

Male, age 35-44

The best piece of advice that a mother has ever given me is accept myself for who I am and always do what makes me happy. This person also told me that regardless of what I do, sometimes people just won’t like you and that’s perfectly okay.

Female, age 25-34

As a young boy in school, I always remembered this advice she gave me (paraphrasing from memory): “Never try to be someone you are not just to please others, you will alway be more respected if you are true to yourself.”

Male, age 55-64

The best advice that I received from my mom is to live every day being exactly who I really am. Don’t ever be one type of person in front of some people and then another type of person in front of others. Don’t be one type of person at work and then another at home. Always be authentic and true and be myself no matter where I am or who I am with

Female, age 45-54

Do unto others

Always treat people how you want to be treated.

Female, age 35-44

The best advice a mom ever gave me was…”the truth will set you free.” I won’t go into detail over what that was all about, but the point of her saying that was that if you’re always truthful, you’ll be okay in the long run. People may not always like what you have to say but they’ll be grateful for your honesty.

Female, age 35-44

Go for it

Failing is just the first step to success.

Male, age 25-34

My mom once told me in a difficult time that you know you’re doing the right thing when it’s usually the hardest thing you have to do. I’ve found this to be true on many occasions.

Female, age 35-44

The best piece of advice was that you should try and compete with yourself and improve yourself, not to compete with others. I’m lucky enough that my mom gave me this advice.

Male, age 25-34

The best piece of advice that my mom ever gave me was to always keep learning.

Male, age 25-34

Be nice

To be easy on myself and to be willing to forgive myself when I make mistakes. Very good advice in our hectic modern times!

Male, age 25-34

If you can’t say anything nice about someone, don’t say anything at all.

Female, age 45-54

… Don’t think anyone owes you anything in this world. I find myself telling my child this often because so many adults I know actually think that the world owes them something. Whenever I have felt sorry for myself or endured hardships, I remind myself that I have to handle things because no one owes me anything.

Female, age 35-44

Follow these wise and witty words

Wear mascara every day.

Female, age 35-44

Your parents aren’t always right.

Female, age 25-34

If it is, it is, and if it isn’t, it isn’t.

Male, age 55-64

Don’t sweat the petty things and don’t pet the sweaty things.

Male, age 35-44

What’s the best piece of advice a mom ever gave to you? Let us know in the comments!

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Kim Kohatsu

Kim Kohatsu is the founder of Charles Ave Marketing — Madison Ave for small businesses and startups. She loves SEM, business, writing, presidential history, and pandas.