Known to the world as Maya Angelou, Marguerite Annie Johnson Angelou soared into literary history with her groundbreaking memoir I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.
But her talents didn’t stop at writing—she dazzled as an actress, dancer, poet, screenwriter, and fearless civil rights activist, inspiring millions to embrace life with courage, creativity, and kindness.
Get ready to be inspired by this vibrant collection of Maya Angelou quotes on love, courage, life, education, success, and so much more.
Fun fact: Maya Angelou was the first Black female streetcar conductor in San Francisco!
Table of Contents
- Most Famous Maya Angelou Quotes
- Maya Angelou Quotes on Courage and Strength
- Maya Angelou Quotes About Love and Compassion
- Maya Angelou Quotes on Life and Growth
- Maya Angelou Quotes on Identity and Self-Worth
- Maya Angelou Quotes About Teaching and Learning
- Maya Angelou Quotes on Hope and Optimism
- The Angelou Effect
Most Famous Maya Angelou Quotes
These are the quotes that made Maya Angelou a household name—resonating with readers around the globe.
“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.”
(From her 1993 interview with the Harvard Business Review.)
This quote captures Angelou’s belief in kindness and empathy as the true legacy we leave.
“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”
(From her book, “Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now,” 1993)
A signature lesson in resilience, urging us to take charge of our mindset.
“We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.”
(From her speech at the National Women’s Hall of Fame, 1994)
Angelou teaches that setbacks are not the same as failures.
Maya Angelou Quotes on Courage and Strength
Maya Angelou’s words inspire us to face life’s challenges bravely and rise each time we fall.
“Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.”
(From her interview with Oprah Winfrey, 2011)
She believed courage fuels every other value—love, honesty, and generosity.
“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”(Letter to My Daughter, 2008)
Her message: we are more than our circumstances.
“I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.”
(Also quoted in “Letter to My Daughter,” 2008)
A gentle reminder to keep rising after every fall.
Maya Angelou Quotes About Love and Compassion
At the core of Maya Angelou’s philosophy is a deep, abiding love for others and for self.
“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.”
(From her poem “Touched by an Angel,” 1995)
Angelou celebrates love’s unstoppable power.
“If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded.”
(From her book “Letter to My Daughter,” 2008)
Success, in her view, is measured in compassion.
“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”
(From “Letter to My Daughter,” 2008)
A call to bring light to others, no matter the weather.
Maya Angelou Quotes on Life and Growth
Maya Angelou’s perspective on life was shaped by hardship and hope. She reminds us to keep learning and moving forward.
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
(From her interview with Oprah’s Master Class, 2011)
A gentle encouragement for lifelong growth.
(From “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” 1969)
Angelou’s classic reminder that effort is the key to change.
“Life is pure adventure, and the sooner we realize that, the quicker we will be able to treat life as art.”
(From “Maya Angelou: A Glorious Celebration,” 2008)
She invites us to embrace life’s surprises with creativity and openness.
Maya Angelou Quotes on Identity and Self-Worth
Maya Angelou was a champion for self-acceptance and personal dignity.
“If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.”
(From “Letter to My Daughter,” 2008)
Her lesson: embrace what makes you unique.
“I not only have the right to stand up for myself, but I have the responsibility.”
(From her speech “Phenomenal Woman,” 1978)
A rallying cry for self-respect and agency.
“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”
(From her interview with the Chicago Tribune, 1977)
Redefining success on your own terms
Maya Angelou Quotes About Teaching and Learning
As a teacher and mentor, Angelou saw education as a path to freedom.
“When you learn, teach. When you get, give.”
(From her book “Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now,” 1993)
A philosophy of paying it forward.
“I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.”
(From “Letter to My Daughter,” 2008)
Even at the height of her career, Angelou remained humble and curious.
Maya Angelou Quotes on Hope and Optimism
Maya Angelou’s spirit radiated hope and the belief that tomorrow holds promise.
“Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.”
(From her book “Letter to My Daughter,” 2008)
A testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
The Angelou Effect
Maya Angelou’s words continue to inspire, comfort, and uplift people from all walks of life. Each quote offers a window into her remarkable strength, wisdom, and compassion.
Whether you’re facing adversity, seeking self-love, or striving to make a difference, Angelou’s legacy endures: use your voice, honor your worth, and always aim to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.
