Short Quotes by Maya Angelou

I’ve learned that making a living is not the same as making a life.

You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.

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.

If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.

Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.

If you have only one smile in you, give it to the people you love.

I believe that every person is born with talent.

I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it.

The love of the family, the love of one person, can heal. It heals the scars left by a larger society. A massive, powerful society.

I’ve learned that although it’s hard to let go, it’s harder to hold on.

We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.

Nothing will work unless you do.

You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.

A friend may be waiting behind a stranger’s face.

When you learn, teach. When you get, give.

You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.

If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.

Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take but by the moments that take your breath away.

Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.

Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.

Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.

Life is pure adventure, and the sooner we realize that, the quicker we will be able to treat life as art.

You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.

If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.

Success is loving life and daring to live it.

I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it.

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

I learned a long time ago the wisest thing I can do is be on my own side.

Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.

I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life’s a bitch. You’ve got to go out and kick ass.

I love the energy of young people, and I’m happy that they’re happy to see me.

The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.

My wish for you is that you continue. Continue to be who and how you are, to astonish a mean world with your acts of kindness. Continue to allow humor to lighten the burden of your tender heart.

The truth is, no one of us can be free until everybody is free.

I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it’s the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills.

I work really hard to try to see the beauty in everyday things.

I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life’s a bitch. You’ve got to go out and kick ass.

I believe that every person is born with talent.

When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.

I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

You are the sum total of everything you’ve ever seen, heard, eaten, smelled, been told, forgot – it’s all there.

Be careful what you say. You can say something hurtful in ten seconds, but ten years later, the wounds are still there.

If I am not good to myself, how can I expect anyone else to be good to me?

Someone was hurt before you, wronged before you, hungry before you, frightened before you, beaten before you, humiliated before you, raped before you… yet someone survived.

We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.

I know for sure that love saves me and that it is here to save us all.

I am grateful to be a woman. I must have done something great in another life.

I am a Woman, Phenomenally. Phenomenal Woman, that’s me.

I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

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