These twenty-three heartrending Maya Angelou quotes are the definition of words to live by.

Through her award-winning poetry and her civil rights activism, Maya Angelou became the voice of so many who were unable to make themselves heard. The author of I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings inspired countless people around the world and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011, just three years before her death at age 86.

Like her incredible legacy, these touching Maya Angelou quotes on love, loss, pain, and virtue will endure for eternity:

Maya Angelou Quotes

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


Maya Angelou Quotes On Attitude

If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain.YouTube


Life Goes On And It Will Be Better

No matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.YouTube


Maya Angelou On Falling In Love

First best is falling in love. Second best is being in love. Least best is falling out of love. But any of it is better than never having been in love.YouTube


Uplifting Maya Angelou Quotes On Family

We spend precious hours fearing the inevitable. It would be wise to use that time adoring our families, cherishing our friends, and living our lives.YouTube


I Don't Trust Anyone Who Doesn't Laugh

I don't trust anyone who doesn't laugh.YouTube


People Never Forget How You Made Them Feel

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.YouTube


Maya Angelou On Learning
Powerful Maya Angelou Quotes On Love

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


Making A Living

I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as "making a life."


We Need Less Than We Think

We need much less than we think we need.


Most People Don't Grow Up

Most people don't grow up. Most people age. They find parking spaces, honor their credit cards, get married, have children, and call that maturity. What that is, is aging.Flickr


When People Show You Who They Are

The first time someone shows you who they are, believe them.Flickr


Maya Angelou Quotes Creativity Use

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


Maya Angelou On Achieving Your Goals

You can only become truly accomplished doing 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.YouTube


Empowering Quotes From Maya Angelou

Hate, it has caused a lot of problems in the world, but has not solved one yet.YouTube


Maya Angelou Quotes On Reading Literature

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.YouTube


Never Make Someone A Priority

Never make someone a priority when all you are to them is an option.YouTube


Untold Story Inside You
Courage As A Virtue

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


Maya Angelou Quote On Self Love

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


You Have Nothing To Prove

You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody.Flickr


Barack Obama And Maya Angelou

After exploring these quotes by Maya Angelou, discover the most moving Nelson Mandela quotes plus inspirational quotes guaranteed to change your life.