Maya Angelou was an extraordinarily gifted poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist whose words have resonated with countless individuals across the world. Her writing taps into the core of human emotions and experiences, speaking to themes of resilience, empowerment, and love. In this article, we present ten captivating categories of Maya Angelou quotes, each offering twelve insightful quotes that encapsulate her profound wisdom and influence. Whether seeking inspiration, courage, or simply a deeper understanding of life's intricacies, look no further than the timeless legacy she has left behind. Immerse yourself in the beauty of her words, and let them guide your thoughts and actions toward a more fulfilling life.
Quotes on Resilience
"You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them."
"We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated."
"You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody."
"I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it."
"Life loves the liver of it."
"Won't it be wonderful when black history and Native American history and Jewish history and all of U.S. history is taught from one book. Just U.S. history."
"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude."
"Be a rainbow in someone else's cloud."
"Surviving is important. Thriving is elegant."
"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you."
"I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as 'making a life'."
"You are the sum total of everything you've ever seen, heard, eaten, smelled, been told, forgot - it's all there."
Quotes on Love
"Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope."
"If you have only one smile in you give it to the people you love."
"We are only as blind as we want to be."
"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."
"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."
"The love of the family, the love of one person can heal."
"Hate, it has caused a lot of problems in the world, but has not solved one yet."
"When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed."
"We need much less than we think we need."
"Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud."
"Love life. Engage in it. Give it all you've got. Love it with a passion because life truly does give back, many times over, what you put into it."
"If we lose love and self respect for each other, this is how we finally die."
Quotes on Courage
"Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently."
"You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have."
"Have enough courage to trust love one more time and always one more time."
"Develop enough courage so that you can stand up for yourself and then stand up for somebody else."
"Life is pure adventure, and the sooner we realize that, the quicker we will be able to treat life as art."
"Nothing will work unless you do."
"Seek patience and passion in equal amounts. Patience alone will not build the temple. Passion alone will destroy its walls."
"The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise."
"I created myself. I have taught myself so much."
"The main thing in one's own private world is to try to laugh as much as you cry."
"Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it."
"You can only become truly accomplished at something you love."
Quotes on Identity
"A wise woman wishes to be no one's enemy; a wise woman refuses to be anyone's victim."
"I am grateful to be a woman. I must have done something great in another life."
"If you’re always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be."
"We need much less than we think we need."
"I sustain myself with the love of family."
"I would like to be known as an intelligent woman, a courageous woman, a loving woman, a woman who teaches by being."
"You can tell a lot about a person by the way they handle these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights."
"I got my own back."
"There is a very fine line between loving life and being greedy for it."
"You can’t really know where you are going until you know where you have been."
"I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn."
"All great achievements require time."
Quotes on Freedom
"The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned."
"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty."
"Ask for what you want and be prepared to get it."
"If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded."
"I believe that every person is born with talent."
"If you’re always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be."
"Courage allows the successful woman to fail—and learn powerful lessons—from the failure—so that in the end, she didn’t fail at all."
"Nothing can dim the light which shines from within."
"Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud."
"We need much less than we think we need."
"When you know better, you do better."
"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."
Quotes on Growth
"Don’t let the incidents which take place in your life bring you low. And certainly don’t refuse to learn from them."
"When you learn, teach. When you get, give."
"I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it."
"Seek patience and passion in equal amounts. Patience alone will not build the temple. Passion alone will destroy its walls."
"If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded."
"The need for change bulldozed a road down the center of my mind."
"If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude."
"Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told: 'I’m with you kid. Let’s go.'"
"If you have only one smile in you, give it to the people you love."
"Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope."
"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty."
"If you’re always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be."
Quotes on Strength
"Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency."
"If you're going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that can't be erased."
"Living well is the best revenge."
"My mother taught me courage."
"I'm convinced of this: Good done anywhere is good done everywhere.
"Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud."
"The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise."
"Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future, and renders the present inaccessible."
"We need much less than we think we need."
"While I know myself as a creation of God, I am also obligated to realize and remember that everyone else and everything else are also God’s creation."
"I believe the most important single thing, beyond discipline and creativity is daring to dare."
"You can only become truly accomplished at something you love."
Quotes on Empathy
"When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed."
"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 no matter their color."
"I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as 'making a life'."
"Be a rainbow in someone else's cloud."
"To those who have given up on love, I say, 'Trust life a little bit.'"
"Finding your own voice, feeling accepted and hopeful, is what should be paramount in your life."
"You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them."
"We need much less than we think we need."
"It's one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, to forgive. Forgive everybody."
"I think a hero is any person really intent on making this a better place for all people."
"Hate, it has caused a lot of problems in the world, but has not solved one yet."
"Nothing will work unless you do."
Quotes on Forgiveness
"It's one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, to forgive. Forgive everybody."
"When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time."
"Forgive yourself for not knowing what you didn’t know before you learned it."
"I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one."
"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."
"We need much less than we think we need."
"Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently."
"When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time."
"I’ve learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as 'making a life'."
"Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it."
"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty."
"When you know better, you do better."
Quotes on Hope
"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."
"Have enough courage to trust love one more time and always one more time."
"I believe that each of us comes from the creator trailing wisps of glory."
"If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude."
"Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud."
"We need much less than we think we need."
"If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform one million realities."
"The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise."
"When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed."
"Nothing can dim the light which shines from within."
"To those who have given up on love, I say, 'Trust life a little bit.'"
"You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them."
Final words
Maya Angelou’s words carry timeless truths and unwavering wisdom, reaching across generations to inspire individuals across a multitude of backgrounds. Her brilliance as a writer and orator resides in her ability to evoke strong emotional responses, whether in overcoming adversity, embracing love, or igniting change. These carefully curated collections of her quotes serve as a testament to her profound understanding of human nature and her unyielding dedication to the betterment of society. Angelou’s legacy endures, reminding us of the importance of empathy, courage, and hope. As you reflect on these quotes, may you find the strength to persevere, the courage to love unconditionally, and the wisdom to contribute positively to the world around you. Let her spirit guide you on your journey toward self-discovery, empowerment, and a deeper connection with others.
