Maya Angelou (April 4, 1928 – May 28, 2014) was a celebrated author, influential poet, dancer, actress, singer, and activist. Maya received over 50 honorary degrees and is celebrated for her series of 7 autobiographies, which focus on her childhood and adult experiences. She is author of ‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings’, arguably her most famous text. Her work and her influence have become etched into society, marking her as one of the most inspirational poets and women in the world. Here are a few of her best quotes:

  1. “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
  2. “We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.”
  3. “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.”
  4. “When you know you are of worth, you don’t have to raise your voice, you don’t have to become rude, you don’t have to become vulgar; you just are. And you are like the sky is, as the air is, the same way water is wet. It doesn’t have to protest.”
  5. “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.”
  6. “I was told many years ago by my grandmother who raised me: If somebody puts you on a road and you don’t feel comfortable on it and you look ahead and you don’t like the destination and you look behind and you don’t want to return to that place, step off the road.”
  7. “I not only have the right to stand up for myself, but I have the responsibility. I can’t ask somebody else to stand up for me if I won’t stand up for myself. And once you stand up for yourself, you’d be surprised that people say, “Can I be of help?”.”
  8. “Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.”
  9. “Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage you can’t practice any other virtue consistently. You can practice any virtue erratically, but nothing consistently without courage.”
  10. “Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud”
  11. “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.”
  12. “A wise woman wishes to be no one’s enemy; a wise woman refuses to be anyone’s victim.”
  13. “Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with deeper meaning.”
  14. “I’m convinced of this: Good done anywhere is good done everywhere. For a change, start by speaking to people rather than walking by them like they’re stones that don’t matter. As long as you’re breathing, it’s never too late to do some good.”
  15. “I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.”

 

Are there any quotes that inspire you? Let us know in the comments below!