21st Birthday Quotes for Instagram: Sourced Lines and Short Captions

21st birthday quotes for Instagram are short lines about turning 21, which in the United States is the legal drinking age. The sourced lines below come from Wilde, Carroll, Browning, Dr. Seuss and a 1986 film, each with the work named, followed by captions that need no credit.

Sourced quotes about growing up

“It’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then.”

— Alice, in Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1865), Chapter 10

Alice says this to the Mock Turtle and Gryphon when they ask her to explain her adventures. It works as a caption on a birthday that marks a change of stage.

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

— Ferris Bueller, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

Ferris says this in the opening monologue. It suits a photo of a birthday trip or a day off.

Sourced quotes about the future

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.”

— Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go! (1990)

This is the book’s best-known passage and is usually given as a graduation gift. It carries over to a 21st birthday because both mark a move into adult choices.

“Grow old along with me! / The best is yet to be.”

— Robert Browning, “Rabbi Ben Ezra” (1864)

Browning’s poem is about old age, so on a 21st it is a playful pick, not a literal one.

Sourced quotes with a wink

“I can resist everything except temptation.”

— Lord Darlington, in Oscar Wilde, Lady Windermere’s Fan (1892), Act 1

“To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.”

— Lord Goring, in Oscar Wilde, An Ideal Husband (1895)

Wilde’s lines are the usual choice for a party caption. The first fits a drinks photo and the second fits a solo portrait.

Short captions for a 21st birthday

The lines below are written for this page and have no outside source.

• 21 and still figuring it out.
• Legal in all 50 states, as of today.
• New age, same friends.
• Twenty-one looks fine on me.
• Cheers to the next one.
• Birthday plans: dinner first, everything else later.

Birthday quotes with no reliable source

“Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter” is credited to Mark Twain on many birthday pages. No Twain source has been found for it. Treat it as unattributed.

Related reading

For a milestone-themed set of lines, see Graduation Quotes for Myself: Captions to Celebrate Your Own Achievement.

FAQ

What should I write for a 21st birthday caption?

Keep it to one line and add the number, such as “21 and still figuring it out.” A sourced quote works if you add the author’s name.

Why is 21 a special birthday?

It is the minimum legal drinking age in the United States, which is why 21st birthday posts often refer to drinks.

Do I need to credit the quote?

For lines from books or films, name the author or title. For the short captions on this page, no credit is needed.