How to Format a Block Quote in MLA (With 30 Powerful Quotes You’ll Want to Use Forever)
“The most powerful words often come wrapped in silence, waiting to be noticed.”
When we cite someone else’s words, we honor their voice. In academic writing, formatting matters just as much as meaning—especially when using longer quotes. If you’ve ever wondered how to block quote in MLA, you’re not alone.
This guide will help you master MLA block quote formatting while offering a curated collection of 30+ meaningful long quotes that work beautifully in essays, journals, or quiet reflection.
You'll find:
- Inspirational quotes to lift you up
- Reflective and emotional lines that linger
- Literary classics ideal for MLA essays
- Memorable moments from movies and media
- Lesser-known gems worth discovering
🔎 What Is an MLA Block Quote?
In MLA format, you use a block quote when quoting more than four lines of prose or three lines of poetry.
Here’s how:
- Start the quote on a new line
- Indent the entire quote one inch from the left
- Double-space the entire block
- Do not use quotation marks
- Place the citation after the final punctuation mark
💬 Inspirational Long Quotes
Keyword: mla format long quote
These quotes offer hope, resilience, and strength—long enough to meet MLA block quote standards and deep enough to carry you through challenging days.
“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
“It is never too late to be what you might have been. No matter the failures, the rejections, or the fears that cloud your path, your future remains unwritten. You hold the pen.”
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated... you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.”
“Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.”
“No one lights a lamp and then hides it... Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.”
“The winds of adversity may bend you, but they do not define you. Rise anyway.”
Reflection prompt: Which quote reminds you of your own resilience?
💭 Reflective & Emotional Quotes
Keyword: block quote mla format
Quotes like these don’t just speak to us—they feel like they were written for us. They explore love, loss, and transformation with honesty and depth.
“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.”
“You will lose someone you can’t live without... they live forever in your broken heart that doesn't seal back up.”
“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken.”
“The more you love a memory the stronger and stranger it becomes.”
“There are years that ask questions and years that answer.”
“We are all stories in the end. Just make it a good one, eh?”
“Grief is just love with no place to go.”
Journal prompt: Choose a quote and free-write your emotional response.
📚 Literary & Classic Quotes
Keyword: how to block quote in mla
These are perfect block quote examples for essays, school assignments, or personal study. Each is rich with literary merit and historical significance.
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…”
“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”
“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”
“Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.”
“I took the one less traveled by,
“There is some good in this world, and it’s worth fighting for.”
Tip: Quotes from classic literature are highly effective in MLA essays—both for content and structure.
🎬 Movie & Media Quotes
Keyword: block quote example
Cinematic moments can be just as impactful as classic texts. These media quotes are long enough for MLA formatting—and powerful enough to revisit again and again.
“Do. Or do not. There is no try.”
“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.”
“Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.”
“After all this time?”
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
“What we do in life echoes in eternity.”
Idea: Use these for persuasive essays, social commentary, or reflection papers.
🌟 Hidden Treasures: Lesser-Known Long Quotes
Not all meaningful quotes come from textbooks. These are sourced from poetry, spoken word, and everyday voices.
“There are moments when silence is the loudest thing in the room.”
“Your story is valid—even if no one has heard it yet.”
“She wasn't waiting to be saved. She was building the ladder herself.”
“I found pieces of myself in places I was told not to go.”
“He wanted to fix the world. She just wanted to love it.”
Why it matters: These quotes capture raw emotion and modern wisdom, making them excellent additions to personal writing or creative projects.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why do quotes resonate so deeply?
Because they compress emotion, wisdom, and truth into a few unforgettable lines.
“Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic.” — Albus Dumbledore
Q: Can quotes really shift your mindset?
Absolutely. A single line can spark clarity, confidence, or healing. Many people return to favorite quotes when facing doubt or stress.
Q: What’s the best way to use these quotes daily?
Choose one quote a week. Write it on your mirror, planner, or phone lock screen. Let it guide your mindset and mood.
Q: How do I properly format a block quote in MLA?
Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Use a block quote if the passage is more than 4 lines of prose
- Start on a new line
- Indent the entire quote one inch
- Double-space
- Omit quotation marks
- Add the citation after the period
🧭 Final Thoughts
Long quotes deserve attention. They aren’t just for academic essays—they’re for those quiet moments when you need a little more from words.
In this post, you discovered:
- How to properly format MLA block quotes
- 30+ long quotes for inspiration, journaling, or analysis
- Literary classics and modern media moments
- Overlooked gems that still carry weight
- Journal with one quote that moved you
- Share this post with a friend who loves words
- Bookmark it for your next writing project or emotional reset
Enjoyed this post? Check out 25 Inspirational Quotes to Start Your Day