collection of quotes by Maya Angelou

Here are some of Maya Angelou’s most memorable and impactful quotes, showcasing her wisdom, resilience, and deep insight into life, humanity, and art:

On Life and Living:

  1. “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.”

  2. “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”

  3. “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”

  4. “We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.”

  5. “If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.”

On Love and Humanity:

  1. “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.”

  2. “Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.”

  3. “I am grateful to be a woman. I must have done something great in another life.”

  4. “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.”

On Courage and Strength:

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

  2. “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.”

  3. “Nothing will work unless you do.”

  4. “I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.”

On Freedom and Empowerment:

  1. “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”

  2. “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”

  3. “We need much less than we think we need.”

  4. “Try to be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud.”

  5. “I’ve learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life.”

On Art and Creativity:

  1. “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”

  2. “When you learn, teach. When you get, give.”

Maya Angelou’s words inspire countless people across generations, highlighting the power of self-respect, love, and resilience.