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The Most Inspiring Quotes from Maya Angelou

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Many of you may know the name Maya Angelou, but you may not know who she is as a person. I have always been inspired by Maya. She is a well known civil rights activist, an American poet, singer, and much more. She lived from April 4, 1928 to May 28, 2014 and gave her whole life to inspiring others around here.

I have pulled together some of the most Inspiring Quotes from Maya Angelou.  Some I have said before and had no idea they were the words of this amazing lady!

Let nothing dim the light that shines from within and more inspiring quotes from Maya Angelou

One interesting point in Maya’s career was when she wrote the poem “On the Pulse of Morning” for Bill Clinton’s inaugural ceremony in 1993.

The Most Inspiring Quotes from Maya Angelou:

I think it’s important to find inspiration from people who have gone before us. Maya Angelou is an inspiration to all who have been around her. I think you’re going to love the more inspiring quotes from Maya Angelou that I’ve found.

“Let nothing dim the light that shines from within” – Maya Angelou

I think she has the most amazing quotes. You can just picture how intricate her mind and thought process was.

“You can only become truly accomplished at something you love.” – Maya Angelou

I think this is so true! No one can be accomplished at something they don’t love because the time commitment it takes to be good at something.

“I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.” – Maya Angelou

How many times have you done something you didn’t want to do, but did it anyway? Most of the time, you’re glad you did.

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” – Maya Angelou

We are all butterflies of some sort! It’s time to admit the changes you’ve been through that’s made you who you are.


“Without courage we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.” – Maya Angelou

I love this quote, we all need to have a little more courage from time to time.

“I believe that every person is born with talent.” – Maya Angelou

Every person is born with talent, it’s just discovering what that talent is.

“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.” – Maya Angelou

Many people are going through hard times, it’s important to try and be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud.

“If you’re always trying to be normal you will never know how amazing you can be.” – Maya Angelou

Isn’t it time we all stop trying to be like each other? I tell my kids this all the time!

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take but by the moments that take your breath away.” – Maya Angelou

Gosh, how many times have we heard this amazing quote? I still love it!

“There’s a world of difference between truth and facts. Facts can obscure the truth.” – Maya Angelou

This is an interesting quote by Maya and really makes you think!

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” – Maya Angelou

How true is this? You can’t control all the events that happen to you but you don’t have to let them affect your attitude.

“Courage – you develop courage by doing small things like just as if you wouldn’t want to pick up a 100-pound weight without preparing yourself.” – Maya Angelou

What a great reminder of how a person can gain courage to do something!

The most inspiring quotes from Maya Angelou

“There is no failure as long as you learn from your experience, continue to work, and continue to press on for success.” – Maya Angelo

What a great reminder to keep moving even when things don’t go quite like you expected them to.

“It is always about the work. In the latter years of your life, your happiness and your self-esteem will be determined by the mountains you surmounted, the valleys you climbed out of, and the life and/or career that you forged for yourself.” – Maya Angelo

This is one of the truest quotes I’ve ever heard! Put in the work.

“I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.” – Maya Angelou

How true is this? We all have a lot to learn!

More Black History Month Resources:

Inspirational Quotes for Black History Month

Rosa Parks Handwriting Worksheets (grades 1-2)

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