“Words mean more than what is set down on paper. But think of it this way: If people avoid you, you will have more time to meditate and do fine research on a cure for whatever truly afflicts you.” - Maya Angelou, Letter to My Daughter You must know, however, that people will start avoiding you because, they, too, have knees that pain them and heads that hurt and they don’t want to know about yours. When people ask, ‘How are you?’ have the nerve sometimes to answer truthfully. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.” - Maya Angelou, Celebrations: Rituals of Peace and Prayer “Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.” - Maya Angelou “Live as though life was created for you.” - Maya Angelou “The main thing in one’s own private world is to try to laugh as much as you cry.” - Maya Angelou “At fifteen life had taught me undeniably that surrender, in its place, was as honorable as resistance, especially if one had no choice.” - Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Put your whole heart in everything you do, and pray, then you can wait.” - Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings “Life is going to give you just what you put in it. “Life is pure adventure, and the sooner we realize that, the quicker we will be able to treat life as art.” - 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.” - Maya Angelou, Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now “Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for.” - Maya Angelou, Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now “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 ‍ The Best Maya Angelou Quotes Famous Quotes She will always be remembered as a pioneer in the fight for civil rights and equality, and her work continues to inspire and empower activists around the world. Maya Angelou’s legacy lives on today through her powerful writing and tireless activism. In addition to her many accomplishments, Angelou was also a teacher and mentor to countless individuals, inspiring them to use their own voices and platforms to effect change in the world. She received over 30 honorary degrees and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2010.

(You can explore all of Maya Angelou’s poems in this list.)Īngelou’s activism and writing earned her numerous accolades and recognition. She wrote numerous books, including her famous work “ I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” which details her experiences growing up in the segregated South and the struggles she faced as a young black woman. In addition to her activism, Angelou was also a highly respected author and poet. She served as the Northern Coordinator in New York for Martin Luther King Jr.’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Throughout her career, Angelou worked with various civil rights organizations and was actively involved in the civil rights movement. Louis, Missouri in 1928, Angelou experienced firsthand the racial segregation and discrimination that was prevalent in the United States during this time.ĭespite facing numerous challenges and setbacks, Angelou persevered and used her voice and platform to speak out against injustice and advocate for marginalized communities. Maya Angelou was a renowned poet, author, and activist who dedicated her life to fighting for civil rights and equality.

Inspirational quote maya angelou