Legendary poet, actress and activist Maya Angelou was a source of inspiration and strength for millions of Americans from all walks of life. The woman known as “America’s poet” also counted presidents and heads of state among her fans. Maya Angelou’s incredible literary legacy will be cherished for generations to come. Today, we bring you some of her best quotes.
“You don’t have to think about doing the right thing. If you’re for the right thing, then you do it without thinking.”
“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.”
“Without courage we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous or honest.”
“There is nothing so pitiful as a young cynic, because he has gone from knowing nothing to believing nothing.”
“I believe most plain girls are virtuous because of the scarcity of opportunity to be otherwise.”
“People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.”
“When someone shows you who they are, believe them; the first time.”
“When I’m writing, I am trying to find out who I am, who we are, what we’re capable of, how we feel, how we lose and stand up, and go on from darkness into darkness.”
