Quotes from Maya Angelou

There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." ? Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

Your reputation is the most important thing you'll never have. Not clothes, nor money, not the big cars you may drive. If your reputation is good, you can achieve anything you want in the world.

I'm happy...I laugh as much as I can and cry when I have to, without apology. I think that's happy.

Frequently, I have been asked how I got to be this way. How did I, born black in a white country, poor in a society where wealth is adored and sought after at all costs, female in an environment where only large ships and some engines are described favourably by using the female pronoun-how did I get to be Maya Angelou?

There is a shock that comes so quickly and strikes so deep that the blow is internalized even before then skin feels it. The strike must first reach bone marrow, then ascend slowly to the brain where the slowpoke intellect records the deed.

All I got to do is stay black and die.

The Gay, the Straight, the Preacher, The privileged, the homeless, the Teacher. They all hear The speaking of the Tree. They hear the first and last of every Tree Speak to humankind today. Come to me, here beside the River. Plant yourself beside the River.

The woman who survives intact and happy must be at once tender and tough. She must have convinced herself, that she, her values, and her choices are important. In a time and world where males hold sway and control, the pressure upon women to yield their rights-of-way is tremendous. And it is under those very circumstances that the woman's toughness must be in evidence.

I may never be known as a philanthropist, but I certainly am a lover of mankind, and I will give freely of my resources.

Having courage does not mean that we are unafraid. Having courage and showing courage means we face our fears.

You are going far in this world, baby, because you dare to risk everything. That's what you have to do. You are prepared to do the best you know to do. And if you don't succeed, you also know all you have to do is try again.

I knew that if God loved me, then I could do wonderful things, I could try great things, learn anything, achieve anything. For what could stand against me, since one person, with God, constitutes the majority?

Love liberates. It doesn't bind. Love says, I love you. I love you if you're in China. I love you if you're across town. I love you if you're in Harlem. I love you. I would like to be near you. I'd like to have your arms around me. I'd like to hear your voice in my ear. But that's not possible now, so I love you. Go.

As a species, we were an abomination. All of us.

This a a wonderful day. I've never seen this one before.

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.

She liberated me from a society that would have had me think of myself as the lower of the low. She liberated me to life. And from that time to this time, I have taken life by the lapels and I have said, I'm with you, kid.

Always be intolerant of ignorance but understanding of illiteracy.

Miss Kirwin was that rare educator who was in love with information. I will always believe that her love of teaching came not so much from her liking for students but from her desire to make sure that some of the things she knew would find repositories so that they could be shared again.

Every day I awaken I am grateful. My intent is to be totally present in that day. And laugh as much as possible.

Believe people when they tell you who they are. They know themselves better than you.

You don't want modesty, you want humility. Humility comes from inside out. It says someone was here before me and I'm here because I've been paid for. I have something to do and I will do that because I'm paying for someone else who has yet to come.

I looked up the way I was going and back the way I come and since I wasn't satisfied I stepped off and [found] me a new path.

I don't know how much longer I'll be around. I'll probably be writing when the Lord says, 'Maya, Maya Angelou, it's time.