The 20 Best Quotes from Maya Angelou
Don’t know much about Maya Angelou? Well, you should. As one of the few masters of both art and influence, Maya Angelou’s story has had an indelible impact on the world we live in. Maya Angelou is a celebrated singer, songwriter, poet, and civil rights activist all in one. Rarely, if ever, has there been such talent and tenacity in one person. She published an array of critically acclaimed essays autobiographies, and poetry books, as well as collaborated on a series of plays, movies, and television shows over 50 years.
Below are a few of the best quotes and quips from Maya Angelou. Whether you need inspiration for yourself, wise words for social media, or motivation for your team, these quotes are sure to do the trick:
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Connect with People
“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, poet, performer, and civil rights activist (1928 – 2014)
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Don't Just Survive
“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
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On Character
“When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” – Maya Angelou
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Our Words
“Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with deeper meaning.” – Maya Angelou
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About Love
“I know for sure that loves saves me and that it is here to save us all.” – Maya Angelou
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Diversity
“It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.” – Maya Angelou
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Give Hope
“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.” – Maya Angelou
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Choose Your Attitude
“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” – Maya Angelou
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Determination to Change
“The need for change bulldozed a road down the center of my mind.” – Maya Angelou
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Never Give Up
“We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.” – Maya Angelou
Origin Story: What Maya Angelou is best known for?
Angelou may be best known for her 1969 autobiography “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”. The first in a series of stories about her early life as a young African American woman overcoming racism and trauma to build great self-confidence.
“The truth is, no one of us can be free until everybody is free.”
More about Maya Angelou
- Born in St. Louis, Missouri, USA (1928 – 2014)
- She releasing her first album named Miss Calypso in 1957
- She also published cookbooks: Hallelujah! The Welcome Table and Great Food, All Day Long
- She was Emmy nominated for her work on the TV mini-series Roots
- She was nominated for a Tony for her role in the play Look Away
More Maya Angelou Quotes
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Truth vs. Fact
“There’s a world of difference between truth and facts. Facts can obscure the truth.” – Maya Angelou, poet, performer, and civil rights activist (1928 – 2014)
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Persevere
“All great achievements require time.” – Maya Angelou
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Give of Yourself
“I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.” – Maya Angelou
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Sacrifices
“Whatever you want to do, if you want to be great at it, you have to love it and be able to make sacrifices for it.” – Maya Angelou
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Hard Work
“Nothing will work unless you do.” – Maya Angelou
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Live Life
“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.” – Maya Angelou
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Look at Ourselves
“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!” – Maya Angelou
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Freedom
“The truth is, no one of us can be free until everybody is free.” – Maya Angelou
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Courage
“You develop courage by doing small things like just as if you wouldn’t want to pick up a 100-pound weight without preparing yourself.” – Maya Angelou
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Being Heard
“If you want what you’re saying (to be) heard, then take your time and say it so that the listener will actually hear it. You might save somebody’s life. Your own, first.” – Maya Angelou
Did you know?
- Maya Angelou was the first African-American woman to be a cable car conductor in San Francisco.
- At age 17, just after high-school, she gave birth to her son, Guy Johnson
- She learned to speak 6 different languages – French, Spanish, Hebrew, Italian, and Fante (a dialect of Akan native to Ghana).
- At a very young age, she was sexually assaulted and she did not speak for 5 years.
- Born Marguerite Annie Johnson, her pen name is an amalgamation of her nickname as a youth and her ex-husband’s surname (Maya & Angelopulos)
Your passioncuriosityboldnessempathymakes you a leader.
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