Earlier today news broke that celebrated author, poet and civil rights campaigner Maya Angelou had passed away at the age of 86.
One of the most impressive women of our time, Angelou broke boundaries for African American women in particular in her lifetime, but also for women in general across the globe.
Angelou, who wrote seven autobiographies and lectured in some of the world’s most notable universities, gave us some of our favourite quotes over the years, so in tribute to the deceased, here are thirteen we’ve come back to time and again.
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“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.”
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take but by the moments that take your breath away.”
“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain.”
“Courage is the most important of all virtues because without courage you can’t practice any of the other virtues consistently.”
“Never make someone a priority when all you are to them is an option.”
“I do not trust people who don’t love themselves and yet tell me, ‘I love you.’ There is an African saying which is: Be careful when a naked person offers you a shirt.”
“You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead pursue the things you love doing and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off of you.”
“When you know better you do better.”
“If you have only one smile in you, give it to the people you love.”
“Nothing will work unless you do.”
“My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return.”
“No sun outlasts its sunset but will rise again and bring the dawn.”
“I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.”
