Maya Angelou Quotes

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

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

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

If you have only one smile in you, give it to the people you love. Don't be surly at home, then go out in the street and start grinning 'Good morning' at total strangers.

I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.

Let's tell the truth to people. When people ask, 'How are you?' have the nerve sometimes to answer truthfully. You must know, however, that people will start avoiding you because, they, too, have knees that pain them and heads that hurt and they don't want to know about yours. But think of it this way: If people avoid you, you will have more time to meditate and do fine research on a cure for whatever truly afflicts you.

When I look back, I am so impressed again with the life-giving power of literature. If I were a young person today, trying to gain a sense of myself in the world, I would do that again by reading, just as I did when I was young.

When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.

We need much less than we think we need.

Surviving is important. Thriving is elegant.

Be present in all things and thankful for all things.

When we find someone who is brave, fun, intelligent, and loving, we have to thank the universe.

Without courage we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.

I sustain myself with the love of family.

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