Maya Angelou

I wouldn't trade anything for my story now.

I might have it at six-fifteen a.m. just as soon as I get in, but usually it's about eleven o'clock when I'll have a glass of sherry.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams.

Women should be tough, tender, laugh as much as possible, and live long lives. The struggle for equality continues unabated, and the woman warrior who is armed with wit and courage will be among the first to celebrate victory.

A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again.

My encouragement to you is to go tomorrow to the library.

Hatred is the ballast of the rock which lies upon our necks and underfoot.

Everybody born comes from the Creator trailing wisps of glory.

If men are God's gift to women, then God must really love gag gifts.

You forgive yourself for every failure because you are trying to do the right thing. God knows that and you know it. Nobody else may know it.

Every journey begins with a single step.

I will look after you and I will look after anybody you say needs to be looked after, any way you say. I am here. I brought my whole self to you. I am your mother.

We are all creative, but by the time we are three of four years old, someone has knocked the creativity out of us. Some people shut up the kids who start to tell stories. Kids dance in their cribs, but someone will insist they sit still. By the time the creative people are ten or twelve, they want to be like everyone else.

I try to live what I consider a "poetic existence." That means I take responsibility for the air I breathe and the space I take up. I try to be immediate, to be totally present for all my work.

Nature has no mercy at all. Nature says, "I'm going to snow. If you have on a bikini and no snowshoes, that's tough. I am going to snow anyway."

You can never go home again, but the truth is you can never leave home, so it's all right.

Modesty is a learned affectation. It's no good. Humility is great, because humility says, 'There was someone before me. I'm following in somebody's footsteps.'

Seek patience and passion in equal amounts. Patience alone will not build the temple. Passion alone will destroy its walls.

If we are bold, love strikes away the chains of fear from our souls.

Jealousy in romance is like salt in food. A little can enhance the savor, but too much can spoil the pleasure and, under certain circumstances, can be life-threatening.

Education helps one case cease being intimidated by strange situations.