Maya Angelou

The human heart has a hidden tremendous compassion.

I believe that each of us comes from the Creator trailing wisps of glory.

Wouldn't take nothing for my journey now.

Seek the fashion which pleases you. There are many. But ignore the style which others wear only to look different from you.

Poetry is music written for the human voice.

All my work, my life, everything I love is about words.

I write because I am a Black woman, listening attentively to my blackness, my womaness, to the black womanhood that is me.

The sadness of the women's movement is that they don't allow the necessity of love.

I have great respect for the past. If you're not respecting your past you don't have a future.

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

I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels.

Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us.

The fact that the adult American Negro female emerges a formidable character is often met with amazement, distaste and even belligerance.

I'm just a little person, but I can do big things.

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

The quality of strength lined with tenderness is an unbeatable combination.

A wise woman wishes to be no one's enemy; a wise woman refuses to be anyone's victim.

In all the world, there is no heart for me like yours. In all the world, there is no love for you like mine.

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies. I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size.

You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I'll rise.