Maya Angelou was an acclaimed American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist, known for her powerful words and profound insights into the human experience. Born on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri.
Angelou rose to international fame with her series of seven autobiographies, which began with the highly praised “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.” Her work often delved into themes of identity, family, and race, and her eloquence made her a beloved figure in literature and beyond.
Must Read: Must-Read Books Recommended by Maya Angelou
Angelou’s quotes are celebrated for their ability to inspire, comfort, and empower individuals from all walks of life.
- “You will face many defeats in life, but never let yourself be defeated.”
- “Try to be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud.”
- “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”
- “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style.”
- “Nothing will work unless you do.”
- “We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.”
- “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”
- “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”
- “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
- “Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.”
- “When you learn, teach. When you get, give.”
- “If you’re always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.”
- “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.”
- “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”
- “I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it.”
- “I’ve learned that making a ‘living’ is not the same thing as making a ‘life’.”
- “Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.”
- “Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.”
- “If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform one million realities.”
- “I believe that the most important single thing, beyond discipline and creativity, is daring to dare.”
- “History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.”
- “Develop enough courage so that you can stand up for yourself and then stand up for somebody else.”
- “You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody.”
- “A wise woman wishes to be no one’s enemy; a wise woman refuses to be anyone’s victim.”
- “We need much less than we think we need.”
- “My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return.”
- “Have enough courage to trust love one more time and always one more time.”
- “The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise.”
Maya Angelou’s words resonate with timeless wisdom and profound truth, offering guidance, solace, and inspiration. Her quotes remind us of the importance of resilience, compassion, and the courage to be ourselves. Angelou’s legacy lives on through her impactful writings and the enduring power of her voice, encouraging us to embrace life with passion, dignity, and love. Want to know more?
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