Maya Angelou

Quotes are word for word from the source.

• Importance of courage

  “Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage you can't practice any other virtue consistently. You can practice any virtue erratically, but nothing consistently without courage.”

  Our noteShe discussed why courage is the foundational virtue for all others.

• Trusting first impressions

  “When people show you who they are, believe them, the first time. Not the 29th time!”

  Our noteShe shared a lesson about judging character with Oprah Winfrey.

• Resilience in adversity

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

  Our noteShe offered advice on maintaining personal dignity despite external events.

• Universal human connection

  “All great artists draw from the same resource: the human heart, which tells us all that we are more alike than we are unalike.”

  Our noteShe reflected on the common source of all great art and creativity.

• Information accessibility

  “All information belongs to everybody all the time. It should be available. It should be accessible to the child, to the woman, to the man, to the old person”

  Our noteShe discussed the importance of libraries and open access to information.

• Mission to thrive

  “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”

  Our noteShe shared her personal philosophy on living a fulfilling life.

• Relationships of pretense

  “A bizarre sensation pervades a relationship of pretense. No truth seems true. A simple morning's greeting and response appear loaded with innuendo and fraught with implications.”

  Our noteShe analyzed the breakdown of communication in dishonest relationships.

• Abundance of creativity

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

  Our noteExplaining the nature of creative energy.

• Strategic disruption

  “I still feel you should rock the boat. And if you're not in it, you should turn it over. But not unthinkingly. Protest without serious consideration is dangerous.”

  Our noteShe was discussing the necessity of challenging the status quo with thoughtful action.

• Knowing when to stop

  “I know that one of the great arts that the writer develops is the art of saying, No. No, I'm finished. Bye. And leaving it alone.”

  Our noteShe was talking about the importance of not over-editing or ruining a work.