Maya Angelou was a prolific poet, novelist, educator, and civil rights activist. Her works have been among the most celebrated of the modern era. Through her writing, she gave voice to the struggles of African American women and shared timeless wisdom with readers of all ages. Here are some of her most inspirational quotes:
“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.”
This quote speaks to the power of love and its ability to overcome any obstacle. It encourages us to keep searching for ways to bring people together and to never give up despite the challenges that might stand in the way.
“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.”
This quote points to the power of our actions and words to affect how people feel. It reminds us to show kindness and acceptance to others, even when we may not agree with them.
“Try to be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud.”
This quote speaks to the importance of lending support and providing comfort to those in need. It reminds us that we all have the capacity to bring light and joy to someone’s life.
“Nothing can dim the light that shines from within.”
This quote is a reminder to stay positive and believe in ourselves. It encourages us to stay true to ourselves and to never forget our own inner strength and potential.
Motivation
“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.”
This quote speaks to the resilience and power of the human spirit. It reminds us that, no matter the obstacles we encounter, we are strong and capable of overcoming them.
“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”
This quote encourages us to adopt a more positive and proactive mindset towards the things we encounter in life. It encourages us to accept what we can’t change, but to take action where we can to make positive changes.
“Every person has inside them a piece of good news. The good news is you don’t know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish!”
This quote is a reminder of the greatness and potential within each of us. It encourages us to believe in ourselves and to strive for greatness no matter our circumstances.
“We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.”
This quote speaks to the importance of resilience, perseverance, and determination when pursuing our goals in life. It reminds us that no matter how many times we may fall, it is important to keep getting back up and never give up.
Inspiration
“The best part of our lives and the most important, are the unknown and the uncharted.”
This quote encourages us to embrace the unknown and to take risks and explore new possibilities. It reminds us that life is made up of both successes and failures, and encourages us to see them both as learning opportunities.
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”
This quote speaks to the importance of living a life rich in experiences and memories. It reminds us that life is short, and that it’s important to make the most of the time we have.
“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”
This quote is a reminder to pursue the things that make us happy and to stay true to ourselves. It reminds us that success is found not only from accomplishments, but also from taking pleasure in life’s journey.
“Nothing can dim the light that shines from within.”
This quote highlights the importance of having self-confidence and believing in ourselves. It encourages us to never forget our own personal power, and to remain determined and hopeful despite any obstacles we may encounter.
Strength
“You are only as handicapped as you let yourself be.”
This quote speaks to the power of the mind and its ability to rise above any situation. It reminds us to never give up despite our circumstances, and to focus on the things we can control.
“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”
This quote speaks to the power of resilience and reminding us that we are strong enough to get through any situation. It encourages us to never give up despite the obstacles that life may bring.
“I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it.”
This quote speaks to the power of personal strength and the ability to remain optimistic. It reminds us to focus on our strengths and to never give up despite any struggles we may be facing.
“Be accountable and take responsibility for your own life.”
This quote is a reminder to take ownership of our lives and to be responsible for our own actions. It encourages us to accept our mistakes and recognize our own potential to make positive changes.
“Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”
This quote is a reminder to be thankful for the people in our lives who have supported and guided us. It reminds us to recognize and appreciate all of the people who have helped us become who we are today.
Courage
“I’ve learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.”
This quote speaks to the importance of courage and reminds us that it is not about being fearless, but about being brave in the face of fear. It encourages us to reach beyond our comfort level and to strive for greatness.
“The greatest courage is to dare to be yourself in the face of adversity.”
This quote reminds us of the importance of being true to ourselves, even during moments of adversity. It encourages us to have the courage to always be our genuine selves.
“Courage is the most important of all the virtues because, without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.”
This quote is a reminder of the role courage plays in allowing us to stay true to our values and beliefs. It reminds us that we must be brave in order to stay committed to our ideals.
“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.”
This quote is a reminder to focus on doing what we love, and to have the courage to pursue our dreams despite any obstacles. It encourages us to take risks and to strive for excellence in everything we do.
“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”
This quote speaks to the importance of taking action and having the courage to make positive changes. It reminds us that, even when we can’t change a situation, we can always choose how we react and how we think about it.
