Maya Angelou was born on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. She was an American memoirist, essayist, writer, singer, and civil rights activist. Her achievements include her groundbreaking autobiographies, as well as numerous awards, such as the Presidential Medal of Freedom and three Grammy Awards. She was also the first female inaugural poet in the history of U.S. presidential inaugurations. May these famous Maya Angelou quotes about life offer you valuable insights into her ideals that will help you achieve greatness as she did.
1. “Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. But anger is like fire. It burns it all clean.” – Maya Angelou
2. “Most people don't grow up. Most people age. They find parking spaces, honor their credit cards, get married, have children, and call that maturity. What that is, is aging.” – Maya Angelou
3. “I don't trust anyone who doesn't laugh.” – Maya Angelou
4. “Hoping for the best, prepared for the worst, and unsurprising by anything in between.” – Maya Angelou
5. “There's a world of difference between truth and facts. Facts can obscure truth.” – Maya Angelou
6. “Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” – Maya Angelou
7. “Be a rainbow in somebody else's cloud.” – Maya Angelou
8. “Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.” – Maya Angelou
9. “Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.” – Maya Angelou
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10. “Life is pure adventure, and the sooner we realize that, the quicker we will be able to treat life as art.” – Maya Angelou
11. “Hate, it has caused a lot of problems in the world, but has not solved one yet.” – Maya Angelou
12. “When you learn, teach, when you get, give.” – Maya Angelou
13. “A friend may be waiting behind a stranger's face.” – Maya Angelou
14. “I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.” – Maya Angelou
-min.jpg "Famous quotes and sayings by Maya Angelou")
15. “Never make someone a priority when all you are to them is an option.” – Maya Angelou
16. “Surviving is important. Thriving is elegant.” – Maya Angelou
17. “Without courage we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.” – Maya Angelou
18. “When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.” – Maya Angelou
19. “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” – Maya Angelou
-min.jpg "Famous quotes and sayings by Maya Angelou")
20. “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” – Maya Angelou
21. “Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.” – Maya Angelou
22. “I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.” – Maya Angelou
23. “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 of you.” – Maya Angelou
24. “A woman's heart should be so hidden in God that a man has to seek Him just to find her.” – Maya Angelou
-min.jpg "Famous quotes and sayings by Maya Angelou")
25. “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” – Maya Angelou
26. “The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise.” – Maya Angelou
27. “Stepping onto a brand-new path is difficult, but not more difficult than remaining in a situation, which is not nurturing to the whole woman.” – Maya Angelou
28. “No matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.” – Maya Angelou
29. “You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I'll rise.” – Maya Angelou
30. “Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with shades of deeper meaning.” – Maya Angelou
More Maya Angelou Popular Quotes and Sayings
31. “The problem I have with haters is that they see my glory, but they don't know my story.” – Maya Angelou
32. “We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.” – Maya Angelou
33. “The ache for home lives in all of us. The safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.” – Maya Angelou
34. “I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.” – Maya Angelou
35. “I believe that the most important single thing, beyond discipline and creativity is daring to dare.” – Maya Angelou
36. “Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for.” – Maya Angelou
37. “If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded.” – Maya Angelou
38. “All great achievements require time.” – Maya Angelou
39. “Anything that works against you can also work for you once you understand the principle of reverse.” – Maya Angelou
40. “There is nothing so pitiful as a young cynic because he has gone from knowing nothing to believing nothing.” – Maya Angelou
41. “A woman who is convinced that she deserves to accept only the best challenges herself to give the best. Then she is living phenomenally.” – Maya Angelou
42. “Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and then do them so well that people can't take their eyes off you.” – Maya Angelou
43. “If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform a million realities.” – Maya Angelou
44. “You are the sum total of everything you've ever seen, heard, eaten, smelled, been told, forgot - it's all there. Everything influences each of us, and because of that I try to make sure that my experiences are positive.” – Maya Angelou
45. “Success is loving life and daring to live it.” – Maya Angelou
46. “We spend precious hours fearing the inevitable. It would be wise to use that time adoring our families, cherishing our friends and living our lives.” – Maya Angelou
47. “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. Do not complain. Make every effort to change things you do not like. If you cannot make a change, change the way you have been thinking. You might find a new solution.” – Maya Angelou
48. “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.” – Maya Angelou
49. “Talent is like electricity. We don't understand electricity. We use it.” – Maya Angelou
50. “If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude.” – Maya Angelou
51. “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” – Maya Angelou
52. “You alone are enough, you have nothing to prove to anybody.” – Maya Angelou
53. “Nothing will work unless you do.” – Maya Angelou
54. “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” – Maya Angelou
55. “If you have only one smile in you, give it to the people you love.” – Maya Angelou
56. “If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.” – Maya Angelou
57. “Love is like a virus. It can happen to anybody at any time.” – Maya Angelou
58. “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
59. “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
60. “You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” – Maya Angelou
61. “Everything in the universe has a rhythm, everything dances.” – Maya Angelou
62. “I think we all have empathy. We may not have enough courage to display it.” – Maya Angelou
63. “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” – Maya Angelou
64. “Success is liking who you are, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” – Maya Angelou
65. “I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back.” – Maya Angelou
66. “A wise woman wishes to be no one's enemy; a wise woman refuses to be anyone's victim.” – Maya Angelou
67. “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
68. “I learned a long time ago the wisest thing I can do is be on my own side, be an advocate for myself and others like me.” – Maya Angelou
69. “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
70. “It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.” – Maya Angelou
71. “It's one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, to forgive. Forgive everybody.” – Maya Angelou
72. “How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!” – Maya Angelou
73. “History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.” – Maya Angelou
74. “I long, as does every human being, to be at home wherever I find myself.” – Maya Angelou
75. “Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future and renders the present inaccessible.” – Maya Angelou
Share these Best Inspirational Maya Angelou Phrases and Quotes with your friends, family, and loved ones to inspire them as well.
2. “Most people don't grow up. Most people age. They find parking spaces, honor their credit cards, get married, have children, and call that maturity. What that is, is aging.” – Maya Angelou
3. “I don't trust anyone who doesn't laugh.” – Maya Angelou
4. “Hoping for the best, prepared for the worst, and unsurprising by anything in between.” – Maya Angelou
5. “There's a world of difference between truth and facts. Facts can obscure truth.” – Maya Angelou
6. “Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” – Maya Angelou
7. “Be a rainbow in somebody else's cloud.” – Maya Angelou
8. “Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.” – Maya Angelou
9. “Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.” – Maya Angelou
11. “Hate, it has caused a lot of problems in the world, but has not solved one yet.” – Maya Angelou
12. “When you learn, teach, when you get, give.” – Maya Angelou
13. “A friend may be waiting behind a stranger's face.” – Maya Angelou
14. “I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.” – Maya Angelou
16. “Surviving is important. Thriving is elegant.” – Maya Angelou
17. “Without courage we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.” – Maya Angelou
18. “When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.” – Maya Angelou
19. “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” – Maya Angelou
21. “Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.” – Maya Angelou
22. “I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.” – Maya Angelou
23. “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 of you.” – Maya Angelou
24. “A woman's heart should be so hidden in God that a man has to seek Him just to find her.” – Maya Angelou
26. “The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise.” – Maya Angelou
27. “Stepping onto a brand-new path is difficult, but not more difficult than remaining in a situation, which is not nurturing to the whole woman.” – Maya Angelou
28. “No matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.” – Maya Angelou
29. “You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I'll rise.” – Maya Angelou
30. “Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with shades of deeper meaning.” – Maya Angelou
More Maya Angelou Popular Quotes and Sayings
31. “The problem I have with haters is that they see my glory, but they don't know my story.” – Maya Angelou
32. “We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.” – Maya Angelou
33. “The ache for home lives in all of us. The safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.” – Maya Angelou
34. “I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.” – Maya Angelou
35. “I believe that the most important single thing, beyond discipline and creativity is daring to dare.” – Maya Angelou
36. “Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for.” – Maya Angelou
37. “If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded.” – Maya Angelou
38. “All great achievements require time.” – Maya Angelou
39. “Anything that works against you can also work for you once you understand the principle of reverse.” – Maya Angelou
40. “There is nothing so pitiful as a young cynic because he has gone from knowing nothing to believing nothing.” – Maya Angelou
41. “A woman who is convinced that she deserves to accept only the best challenges herself to give the best. Then she is living phenomenally.” – Maya Angelou
42. “Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and then do them so well that people can't take their eyes off you.” – Maya Angelou
43. “If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform a million realities.” – Maya Angelou
44. “You are the sum total of everything you've ever seen, heard, eaten, smelled, been told, forgot - it's all there. Everything influences each of us, and because of that I try to make sure that my experiences are positive.” – Maya Angelou
45. “Success is loving life and daring to live it.” – Maya Angelou
46. “We spend precious hours fearing the inevitable. It would be wise to use that time adoring our families, cherishing our friends and living our lives.” – Maya Angelou
47. “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. Do not complain. Make every effort to change things you do not like. If you cannot make a change, change the way you have been thinking. You might find a new solution.” – Maya Angelou
48. “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.” – Maya Angelou
49. “Talent is like electricity. We don't understand electricity. We use it.” – Maya Angelou
50. “If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude.” – Maya Angelou
51. “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” – Maya Angelou
52. “You alone are enough, you have nothing to prove to anybody.” – Maya Angelou
53. “Nothing will work unless you do.” – Maya Angelou
54. “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” – Maya Angelou
55. “If you have only one smile in you, give it to the people you love.” – Maya Angelou
56. “If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.” – Maya Angelou
57. “Love is like a virus. It can happen to anybody at any time.” – Maya Angelou
58. “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
59. “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
60. “You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” – Maya Angelou
61. “Everything in the universe has a rhythm, everything dances.” – Maya Angelou
62. “I think we all have empathy. We may not have enough courage to display it.” – Maya Angelou
63. “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” – Maya Angelou
64. “Success is liking who you are, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” – Maya Angelou
65. “I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back.” – Maya Angelou
66. “A wise woman wishes to be no one's enemy; a wise woman refuses to be anyone's victim.” – Maya Angelou
67. “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
68. “I learned a long time ago the wisest thing I can do is be on my own side, be an advocate for myself and others like me.” – Maya Angelou
69. “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
70. “It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.” – Maya Angelou
71. “It's one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, to forgive. Forgive everybody.” – Maya Angelou
72. “How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!” – Maya Angelou
73. “History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.” – Maya Angelou
74. “I long, as does every human being, to be at home wherever I find myself.” – Maya Angelou
75. “Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future and renders the present inaccessible.” – Maya Angelou
Share these Best Inspirational Maya Angelou Phrases and Quotes with your friends, family, and loved ones to inspire them as well.