Maya Angelou

I believe that every person is born with talent.

Out of the huts of history’s shame I rise Up from a past that’s rooted in pain I rise I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide, Welling and swelling I bear in the tide. Leaving behind nights of terror and fear I rise Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear I rise Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise I rise I rise.

At fifteen life had taught me undeniably that surrender, in its place, was as honorable as resistance, especially if one had no choice.

My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style.

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

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Letters are like wine; if they are sound they ripen with keeping. A man should lay down letters as he does a cellar of wine.

Shall I not have intelligence with the earth? Am I not partly leaves and vegetable mould myself.

Some critics will write ‘Maya Angelou is a natural writer’ – which is right after being a natural heart surgeon.

The report of my death was an exaggeration.

Some natures are too good to be spoiled by praise.

If a madman were to come into this room with a stick in his hand, no doubt we should pity the state of his mind; but our primary consideration would be to take care of ourselves. We should knock him down first, and pity him afterwards.

The only way to know is to live, learn, and grow.

An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.

Any so-called material thing that you want is merely a symbol: you want it not for itself, but because it will content your spirit for the moment.

The best part of beauty is that which no picture can express.

Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom.

If a man be gracious and courteous to strangers, it shows he is a citizen of the world, and that his heart is no island cut off from other lands, but a continent that joins to them.

The most I can do for my friend is simply to be his friend.

Argue for your limitations and, sure enough, they’re yours.

Beware of the man who does not return your blow: he neither forgives you nor allows you to forgive yourself.