Maya Angelou Quotes, Maya Angelou, a renowned American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist, left an indelible mark on literature and humanity with her powerful words. Her wisdom and insights have touched the hearts of millions, inspiring them to embrace love, navigate life’s challenges, celebrate womanhood, and strive for greatness. In this article, we’ll explore a curated collection of 100 of the best Maya Angelou quotes under various themes.
Table Of Contents
- About Maya Angelou
- Most Popular Maya Angelou Quotes in English
- Maya Angelou Inspirational and Motivational Quotes
- Maya Angelou Quotes About Self Love
- Phenomenal Maya Angelou Quotes About Women
- Maya Angelou Quotes About Life
- Maya Angelou Courage Quotes
- Maya Angelou Quotes on Success and Change
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Conclusion
About Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou (1928-2014) was a multi-talented artist who overcame a tumultuous childhood to become one of the most celebrated literary figures of her time. Her autobiography, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” brought her international recognition and was the first in a series of memoirs exploring her life’s journey. Angelou’s work often touched upon themes of identity, racism, and personal growth, making her a voice for change and equality.
Most Popular Maya Angelou Quotes in English
“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.”
“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”
“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”
“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”
“We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value.”
“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”
“You are the sum total of everything you’ve ever seen, heard, eaten, smelled, been told, forgot – it’s all there.”
“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.”
“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.”
“Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future, and renders the present inaccessible.”
Maya Angelou Inspirational and Motivational Quotes
“We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.”
“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.”
“We need much less than we think we need.”
“If you’re always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.”
“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”
“Stepping onto a brand-new path is difficult, but not more difficult than remaining in a situation that no longer fits, or no longer exists.”
“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.”
“A wise woman wishes to be no one’s enemy; a wise woman refuses to be anyone’s victim.”
“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”
“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 Quotes About Self Love
“I do not trust people who don’t love themselves and yet tell me, ‘I love you.’ There is an African saying which is: Be careful when a naked person offers you a shirt.”
“I work really hard to just focus on the joy of the work itself, and I don’t crave validation or attention the way I used to. I’m not as attached to it.”
“You are your best thing.”
“We have to confront ourselves. Do we like what we see in the mirror? And, according to our light, according to our understanding, according to our courage, we will have to say yea or nay—and rise!”
“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”
“You are enough, you are so enough, it’s unbelievable how enough you are.”
“You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody.”
“We can learn to see each other and see ourselves in each other and recognize that human beings are more alike than we are unalike.”
“I’m grateful for being here, for being able to think, for being able to see, for being able to taste, for appreciating love – for knowing that it exists in a world so rife with vulgarity, with brutality and violence, and yet love exists. I’m grateful to know that it exists.”
“It’s one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, to forgive. Forgive everybody.”
Phenomenal Maya Angelou Quotes About Women
“I do not weep at the world. I am too busy sharpening my oyster knife.”
“A wise woman wishes to be no one’s enemy; a wise woman refuses to be anyone’s victim.”
“I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life’s a bitch. You’ve got to go out and kick ass.”
“Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.”
“A woman in harmony with her spirit is like a river flowing. She goes where she will without pretense and arrives at her destination prepared to be herself and only herself.”
“I know for sure that loves saves me and that it is here to save us all.”
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
“Pretty women wonder where my secret lies. I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size.”
“The sadness of the women’s movement is that they don’t allow the necessity of love. See, I don’t personally trust any revolution where love is not allowed.”
“I will not have my life narrowed down. I will not bow down to somebody else’s whim or to someone else’s ignorance.”
Maya Angelou Quotes About Life
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take but by the moments that take your breath away.”
“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.”
“If you’re always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.”
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive.”
“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.”
“I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.”
“Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told: ‘I’m with you, kid. Let’s go.'”
“All great achievements require time.”
“If you have only one smile in you, give it to the people you love.”
Maya Angelou Courage Quotes
“Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency.”
“Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.”
“We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.”
“One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.”
“I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.”
“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”
“The first time someone shows you who they are, believe them.”
“The need for change bulldozed a road down the center of my mind.”
“I’m convinced of this: Good done anywhere is good done everywhere. For a change, start by speaking to people rather than walking by them like they’re stones that don’t matter. As long as you’re breathing, it’s never too late to do some good.”
“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.”
Maya Angelou Quotes on Success and Change
“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”
“We need much less than we think we need.”
“The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise.”
“If you’re always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.”
“I work really hard to just focus on the joy of the work itself, and I don’t crave validation or attention the way I used to. I’m not as attached to it.”
“Stepping onto a brand-new path is difficult, but not more difficult than remaining in a situation that no longer fits, or no longer exists.”
“You are enough, you are so enough, it’s unbelievable how enough you are.”
“You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off you.”
“I work very hard, and I play very hard. I’m grateful for life. And I live it – I believe life loves the liver of it. I live it.”
“All great achievements require time.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is Maya Angelou known for?
Maya Angelou was a prominent American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist known for her inspirational and impactful writings.
Q2: What are some famous Maya Angelou quotes about women?
Maya Angelou’s quotes about women celebrate strength, resilience, and the power of womanhood. One example is: “A wise woman wishes to be no one’s enemy; a wise woman refuses to be anyone’s victim.”
Q3: What themes did Maya Angelou’s work often explore?
Maya Angelou’s work often explored themes of identity, racism, personal growth, and equality.
Q4: How did Maya Angelou view courage?
A4: Maya Angelou believed that courage was essential, stating that without courage, one couldn’t consistently practice other virtues.
Q5: What is one of Maya Angelou’s most famous quotes about success?
One of Maya Angelou’s famous quotes about success is: “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”
Conclusion
Maya Angelou’s quotes continue to resonate with people from all walks of life, inspiring them to embrace love, face challenges, and strive for personal growth. Her words are a testament to the power of language to heal, uplift, and transform. Whether you seek wisdom on love, life, self-love, womanhood, or courage, Maya Angelou’s words provide a guiding light to navigate the complexities of existence. As we reflect on her legacy, let us carry her messages in our hearts, sharing her wisdom for generations to come.