21 Maya Angelou Quotes for a Life of Purpose


Pensador Editorial Team
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Maya Angelou, an influential American author and poet, is best known for her autobiographies, especially “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” (1969), which explores identity, racism, and literacy and brought her international recognition. Her literature profoundly impacted American culture and the civil rights movement, highlighting African American struggles and triumphs.

Notably, her powerful prose in “And Still I Rise” (1978), featuring the poem “Phenomenal Woman,” celebrates strength and resilience. Angelou's work inspires generations to pursue justice and equality, advocating for dignity and respect. Her legacy continues to motivate, and her quotes inspire all who encounter them.

Maya Angelou Quotes About Life

Maya Angelou saw life as an adventure to be embraced like art. She believed in thriving with passion, compassion, and courage, making others feel valued. Her view emphasized resilience, the beauty of life's rhythm, and the hope for a better tomorrow despite challenges. Maya's legacy inspires us to embrace life's ups and downs, always striving for joy, justice, and love.

Life is pure adventure, and the sooner we realize that, the quicker we will be able to treat life as art.

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.

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

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

Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently.

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

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

Maya Angelou Quotes About Love

Maya Angelou believed in the courage to trust love again and be grateful for finding someone special. She saw love as powerful, surpassing barriers with hope and the courage to accept and give love in return. Maya valued laughter, work, and being a positive influence on others in the journey of love… Her quotes about love continue to instill trust and hope in the hearts of many lost souls:

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

Be a rainbow in somebody else‘s cloud.

Be a rainbow in somebody else's cloud.

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

First best is falling in love. Second best is being in love. Least best is falling out of love. But any of it is better than never having been in love.

Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou Quotes About Change

Maya Angelou saw change as a chance for personal growth and discovery, not something to fear. She believed it was essential for learning and resilience, encouraging openness to new experiences. Maya valued change as a path to breaking free from limitations and finding fulfillment and authenticity.

What you're supposed to do when you don't like a thing is change it. If you can't change it, change the way you think about it. Don't complain.

Maya Angelou

We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.

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

Maya Angelou Quotes about Success

Maya Angelou viewed success as an inner journey of self-acceptance, enjoyment of one's work, and embracing life with love and courage. She believed that being a positive influence on others, regardless of fame, is a key aspect of success. Maya highlights the importance of kindness, love, and authenticity in how we live our lives, knowing that others look up to us as role models.

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.

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

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