Maya Angelou (1928–2014), a celebrated author and poet, used her words to inspire strength, resilience, and justice. Best known for I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and And Still I Rise, her work shed light on identity, racism, and the African American experience. A powerful voice in literature and the civil rights movement, Angelou's wisdom continues to uplift and empower. Here are some of her most inspiring quotes.
I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.
Maya Angelou
We are only as blind as we want to be.
Maya Angelou
Nobody can enjoy unless we all enjoy, truly enjoy.
Maya Angelou
When I decided to speak, I had a lot to say.
Maya Angelou
My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.
Maya Angelou
Everything in the universe has a rhythm, everything dances.
Maya Angelou
No matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.
Maya Angelou
Life is pure adventure, and the sooner we realize that, the quicker we will be able to treat life as art.
Maya Angelou
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.
Maya Angelou
Be a rainbow in somebody else's cloud.
Maya Angelou
Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently.
Maya Angelou
Have enough courage to trust love one more time and always one more time.
Maya Angelou
When we find someone who is brave, fun, intelligent, and loving, we have to thank the universe.
Maya Angelou
Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.
Maya Angelou
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.
Maya Angelou
In all the world, there is no heart for me like yours.
In all the world, there is no love for you like mine.Maya Angelou
Love is like a virus. It can happen to anybody at any time.
Maya Angelou
We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.
Maya Angelou
Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.
Maya Angelou
Hoping for the best, prepared for the worst, and unsurprised by anything in between.
Maya Angelou
When was the last time anyone told you how important you are?
Maya Angelou
Listen to yourself and in that quietude you might hear the voice of God.
Maya Angelou
Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.
Maya Angelou
Success is loving life and daring to live it.
Maya Angelou
Each of us, famous or infamous, is a role model for somebody, and if we aren't, we should behave as though we are -- cheerful, kind, loving, courteous. Because you can be sure someone is watching and taking deliberate and diligent notes.
Maya Angelou
You listen with interest. That gives some sense of confidence to the speaker.
Maya Angelou
I’ve learned that making a “living” is not the same thing as making a “life”.
Maya Angelou
