25 Ways to Say Goodbye—Meaningful Farewell Quotes for All Occasions

Parting is such sweet sorrow, or so the great bard Shakespeare would tell us. Whether someone is leaving just for now or forever, finding the perfect words to say goodbye in a heartfelt way is always a challenge. Our farewell quotes will help you find exactly the right thing to say or add to a special leaving card to let someone you care about know you’re still thinking of them.

Goodbye Quotes for Any Occasion

These quotes about goodbyes can be used for just about any time you need to say “farewell” with a card or gift. OK, perhaps you don’t need to create a beautifully personalized memory book if you’re just going to the grocery store! But for those more meaningful goodbyes, one of these farewell quotes might be just the thing.

“The return makes one love the farewell.” – Alfred de Musset

“I built my rituals in farewells. Endings I still cling to. So I go to the ocean to say goodbye.” — Charlotte Eriksson

“Farewell has a sweet sound of reluctance. Goodbye is short and final, a word with teeth sharp to bite through the string that ties past to the future.” ― John Steinbeck

“There should have been a better farewell. But in the end, there never is. And we take what meager scraps we can find.” ― Richard K. Morgan

“This is not a goodbye, my darling, this is a thank you.” ― Nicholas Sparks

Farewell Quotes for Friends

Saying “bye” to a friend is never easy! But if your bestie goes backpacking for a year or your chum moves to another state, you may want to say it in style — with a gift to remember you by, like a photo book of cherished memories. Add one of these quotes to show you care.

"May the wind under your wings bear you where the sun sails and the moon walks." — J.R.R. Tolkien

“Fare thee well, and if forever, still forever fare thee well.” ― George Gordon Byron

“You have been my friend. That in itself is a tremendous thing.” ― E.B. White

“So long as the memory of certain beloved friends lives in my heart, I shall say that life is good.” ― Helen Keller

“I won’t say goodbye my friend, for you and I will meet again.” ― Tom Petty

Farewell Quotes for Coworkers

Whether a co-worker leaving a job and heading for greener pastures, or a beloved colleague is finally taking well-earned retirement, you need a way to say goodbye that matches your workplace relationship. Were they (or you!) the office clown? Or a real support to other coworkers? Find something funny or poignant in these goodbye quotes for the workplace.

“You could say anything you wanted to someone you thought you were never going to see again.” ― Cassandra Clare

“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” ― Semisonic

“It feels right. But it’s emotional. Saying goodbye to anything you’ve done that long is hard.” ― Angela Ruggiero

“Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.” ― Garrison Keillor

“Goodbye, and good luck finding a better coworker than me!”

Goodbye Quotes for Loved Ones

Sending a kid off to college, moving out of your sister’s apartment, taking a job across the country — there are so many reasons you might have to say goodbye to family and loved ones, and finding the right words is tough! Here are some farewell quotes from others who have been through it, ideal for adding to family-focused photo books to make those partings that bit sweeter.

“It always is harder to be left behind than to be the one to go...” ― Bodie Thoene

“Here my heart dwells ever, unless there be a light beyond the dark roads that we still must tread, you and I.” — J.R.R. Tolkien

“For Sayonara, literally translated, 'Since it must be so,' of all the goodbyes I have heard is the most beautiful.” — Anne Morrow Lindbergh

“May we meet again on distant shores.” ― Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff.

“Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with heart and soul there is no such thing as separation.” ― Rumi

“There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart.” ― Mahatma Gandhi

Goodbye for Now–Farewell Quotes for Brief Partings

Not every “goodbye” is forever. In fact, most are only temporary! Say “goodbye for now” with these farewell quotes that focus on a joyful reunion. Add them to your thank you card when you tell your special person how grateful you are that they’re a returning part of your life.

“The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again.” ― Charles Dickens

“Never say goodbye because goodbye means going away and going away means forgetting.” ― J.M. Barrie

“No distance of place or lapse of time can lessen the friendship of those who are thoroughly persuaded of each other’s worth.” ― Robert Southey

“If you’re brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello.” ― Paulo Coelho

“The magic thing about home is that it feels good to leave, and it feels even better to come back.” ― Wendy Wunder

Goodbye is as sweet as “I love you”

Taking the time to say goodbye with a thoughtful quote and gift is a great way to show someone how much you care. Pair your quote with a gorgeous print of a favorite moment together, or gather photos of your best times together in a high-quality, durable photo book.

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