Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

76 Inspirational Quotes By Maya Angelou That Will Lift Your Spirits

Famous As: American Poet and Civil Rights Activist Known for Her Autobiography ‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings’
Born On: April 4, 1928
Died On: May 28, 2014
Born In: St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Died At Age: 86

Maya Angelou was a revered poet and author from America. Here are a few interesting piece of trivia from the life of this winner of residential Medal of Freedom and the National Medal of Arts.

Angelou suffered sexual abuse at 8 and the incident left a lasting impression on her. So much so that she turned mute after her offender was found dead, following his release from jail in only one day. Speaking about the five years of her life in her autobiography she mentioned, “I thought, my voice killed him; I killed that man, because I told his name. And then I thought I would never speak again, because my voice would kill anyone.”

Despite her editor's disapproval she collaborated with Hallmark greetings. Citing her reason she said, “If I’m America’s poet, or one of them, then I want to be in people’s hands…people who would never buy a book.”

In the Oprah Winfrey show Angelou revealed that she worked as a streetcar conductor in San Francisco. She also added that she was 16 and absolutely loved uniforms at the time and was the first black to hold the position in the city.

The author loved to binge watch Law & Order and was a great fan of country music. Commenting on the breakup of Brooks and Dunn she said, “I’ve been seriously affected by the breakup of Brooks & Dunn. They broke up after 20 years and I’ve been seriously offended by that!”

Here is a collection of inspirational quotes by one of the greatest American poets of all time, Maya Angelou.

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.

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

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

Maya Angelou
What you're supposed to do when you don't like a thing is change it. If you can't change it, change the way you think about it. Don't complain.

What you're supposed to do when you don't like a thing is change it. If you can't change it, change the way you think about it. Don't complain.

Maya Angelou
When someone shows you who they are believe them; the first time.

When someone shows you who they are believe them; the first time.

Maya Angelou
We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.

We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.

Maya Angelou
I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life's a bitch. You've got to go out and kick ass.

I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life's a bitch. You've got to go out and kick ass.

Maya Angelou
Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently.

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

Maya Angelou
I don't trust people who don't love themselves and tell me, 'I love you.' ... There is an African saying which is: Be careful when a naked person offers you a shirt.

I don't trust people who don't love themselves and tell me, 'I love you.' ... There is an African saying which is: Be careful when a naked person offers you a shirt.

Maya Angelou
Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.

Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.

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

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

Maya Angelou
Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.

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

Maya Angelou
I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.

I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.

Maya Angelou
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

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
Have enough courage to trust love one more time and always one more time.

Have enough courage to trust love one more time and always one more time.

Maya Angelou
Never make someone a priority when all you are to them is an option.

Never make someone a priority when all you are to them is an option.

Maya Angelou
Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud.

Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud.

Maya Angelou
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.

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.

Maya Angelou
If I am not good to myself, how can I expect anyone else to be good to me?

If I am not good to myself, how can I expect anyone else to be good to me?

Maya Angelou
You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody.

You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody.

Maya Angelou
Ask for what you want and be prepared to get it!

Ask for what you want and be prepared to get it!

Maya Angelou
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.

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
The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise.

The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise.

Maya Angelou
Everything in the universe has a rhythm, everything dances.

Everything in the universe has a rhythm, everything dances.

Maya Angelou
Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him.

Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him.

Maya Angelou
No matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

No matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

Maya Angelou
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!

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
Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. But anger is like fire. It burns it all clean.

Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. But anger is like fire. It burns it all clean.

Maya Angelou
I don't trust anyone who doesn't laugh.

I don't trust anyone who doesn't laugh.

Maya Angelou
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.

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
My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return.

My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return.

Maya Angelou
There's a world of difference between truth and facts. Facts can obscure truth.

There's a world of difference between truth and facts. Facts can obscure truth.

Maya Angelou
Be a rainbow in somebody else's cloud.

Be a rainbow in somebody else's cloud.

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

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

Maya Angelou
Hoping for the best, prepared for the worst, and unsurprised by anything in between.

Hoping for the best, prepared for the worst, and unsurprised by anything in between.

Maya Angelou
Life is pure adventure, and the sooner we realize that, the quicker we will be able to treat life as art.

Life is pure adventure, and the sooner we realize that, the quicker we will be able to treat life as art.

Maya Angelou
Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.

Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.

Maya Angelou
When you learn, teach, when you get, give.

When you learn, teach, when you get, give.

Maya Angelou
Hate, it has caused a lot of problems in the world, but has not solved one yet.

Hate, it has caused a lot of problems in the world, but has not solved one yet.

Maya Angelou
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.

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
I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

Maya Angelou
A friend may be waiting behind a stranger's face.

A friend may be waiting behind a stranger's face.

Maya Angelou
I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.

I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.

Maya Angelou
If you have only one smile in you, give it to the people you love. Don't be surly at home, then go out in the street and start grinning 'Good morning' at total strangers.

If you have only one smile in you, give it to the people you love. Don't be surly at home, then go out in the street and start grinning 'Good morning' at total strangers.

Maya Angelou
We need much less than we think we need.

We need much less than we think we need.

Maya Angelou
Surviving is important. Thriving is elegant.

Surviving is important. Thriving is elegant.

Maya Angelou
I sustain myself with the love of family.

I sustain myself with the love of family.

Maya Angelou
When we find someone who is brave, fun, intelligent, and loving, we have to thank the universe.

When we find someone who is brave, fun, intelligent, and loving, we have to thank the universe.

Maya Angelou
Be present in all things and thankful for all things.

Be present in all things and thankful for all things.

Maya Angelou
First best is falling in love. Second best is being in love. Least best is falling out of love. But any of it is better than never having been in love.

First best is falling in love. Second best is being in love. Least best is falling out of love. But any of it is better than never having been in love.

Maya Angelou
The problem I have with haters is that they see my glory, but they don't know my story...

The problem I have with haters is that they see my glory, but they don't know my story...

Maya Angelou
When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.

When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.

Maya Angelou
A Woman in harmony with her spirit
 is like a river flowing.
She goes where she will without pretense and arrives at her destination
 prepared to be herself
 and only herself

A Woman in harmony with her spirit is like a river flowing. She goes where she will without pretense and arrives at her destination prepared to be herself and only herself

Maya Angelou
Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with shades of deeper meaning.

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
You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.

You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.

Maya Angelou
I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as 'making a life'.

I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as 'making a life'.

Maya Angelou
I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.

I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.

Maya Angelou
I believe that the most important single thing, beyond discipline and creativity is daring to dare.

I believe that the most important single thing, beyond discipline and creativity is daring to dare.

Maya Angelou
To those who have given up on love: I say,

To those who have given up on love: I say, "Trust life a little bit.

Maya Angelou
I am a Woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal Woman,
that's me.

I am a Woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal Woman, that's me.

Maya Angelou
All great achievements require time.

All great achievements require time.

Maya Angelou
It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.

It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.

Maya Angelou
I want to thank you, Lord, for life and all that's in it. 

Thank you for the day and for the hour, and the minute.

I want to thank you, Lord, for life and all that's in it. Thank you for the day and for the hour, and the minute.

Maya Angelou
Nothing will work unless you do.

Nothing will work unless you do.

Maya Angelou
Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for.

Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for.

Maya Angelou
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 some things back.

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 some things back.

Maya Angelou
If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded.

If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded.

Maya Angelou
In all the world, there is no heart for me like yours.
In all the world, there is no love for you like mine.

In all the world, there is no heart for me like yours. In all the world, there is no love for you like mine.

Maya Angelou
The ache for home lives in all of us. The safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.

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
Some people cannot see a good thing when it is right here, right now. Others can sense a good thing coming when it is days, months, or miles away.

Some people cannot see a good thing when it is right here, right now. Others can sense a good thing coming when it is days, months, or miles away.

Maya Angelou
It’s the fire in my eyes, 
And the flash of my teeth, 
The swing in my waist, 
And the joy in my feet. 
I’m a woman 
Phenomenally.

It’s the fire in my eyes, And the flash of my teeth, The swing in my waist, And the joy in my feet. I’m a woman Phenomenally.

Maya Angelou
There is nothing so pitiful as a young cynic because he has gone from knowing nothing to believing nothing.

There is nothing so pitiful as a young cynic because he has gone from knowing nothing to believing nothing.

Maya Angelou
A woman who is convinced that she deserves to accept only the best challenges herself to give the best. Then she is living phenomenally.

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
Success is loving life and daring to live it.

Success is loving life and daring to live it.

Maya Angelou
If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform a million realities.

If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform a million realities.

Maya Angelou
Anything that works against you can also work for you once you understand the Principle of Reverse.

Anything that works against you can also work for you once you understand the Principle of Reverse.

Maya Angelou
Living well is an art that can be developed: a love of life and ability to take great pleasure from small offerings and assurance that the world owes you nothing and that every gift is exactly that, a gift.

Living well is an art that can be developed: a love of life and ability to take great pleasure from small offerings and assurance that the world owes you nothing and that every gift is exactly that, a gift.

Maya Angelou