Maya Angelou Quotes, Good Life Quotes, Mean Quotes

I've had people explain to me what one of my poems meant, and I've been surprised that it means that to them. If a person can use a poem of mine to interpret her life or his life, good. I can't control that. Nor would I want to.

4 years ago

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Tags : Maya Angelou Quotes , Good Life Quotes , Mean Quotes

Love life. Engage in it. Give it all you've got. Love it with a passion because life truly does give back, many times over, what you put into it.

4 years ago

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Tags : Maya Angelou Quotes , Inspirational Quotes , Life Quotes

Some think, "If I marry this guy who's two inches taller than I am and who has a nice bank account, I won't die. If I buy six cars, I won't die. If I hate Jews, I won't die. If I hate homosexuals, I won't die." They think they will increase their life by shunting misery onto somebody else, but it's just the opposite.

4 years ago

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Tags : Maya Angelou Quotes , Nice Quotes , Hate Quotes

Won't it be wonderful when black history and native American history and Jewish history and all of U.S. history is taught from one book. Just U.S. history.

4 years ago

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Tags : Maya Angelou Quotes , Book Quotes , Native American Quotes

I'm a spring leaf trembling in anticipation.

4 years ago

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Tags : Maya Angelou Quotes , Spring Quotes , Anticipation Quotes

I had to trust life and believe that life loved the person who dared to live it.

4 years ago

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Tags : Maya Angelou Quotes , Trust Quotes , Life And Love Quotes

We are not our brother’s keeper we are our brother and we are our sister. We must look past complexion and see community.

4 years ago

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Tags : Maya Angelou Quotes , Brother Quotes , Past Quotes

Just like moons and suns, With certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I'll rise.

4 years ago

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Tags : Maya Angelou Quotes , Moon Quotes , Tides Quotes

Listen to yourself and in that quietude you might hear the voice of God.

4 years ago

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Tags : Maya Angelou Quotes , Voice Quotes , Might Quotes

If we are honest and fair, then we are known by that. If we are not, alas, we are known by that as well. What we want to do is do right, but you have to say it, you have to show it, and not stop.

4 years ago

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Tags : Maya Angelou Quotes , Want Quotes , Honest Quotes

I find in my poetry and prose the rhythms and imagery of the best - I mean, when I'm at my best - of the good Southern black preachers. The lyricism of the spirituals and the directness of gospel songs and the mystery of blues are in my music or in my poetry and prose, or I missed everything.

4 years ago

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Tags : Maya Angelou Quotes , Song Quotes , Mean Quotes

Everyone grows old but not everyone grows up.

4 years ago

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Tags : Maya Angelou Quotes , Growing Up Quotes

When you do nothing you feel overwhelmed and powerless. But when you get involved you feel the sense of hope and accomplishment that comes from knowing you are working to make things better.

4 years ago

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Tags : Maya Angelou Quotes , Hope Quotes , Honesty Quotes

I think when we don't know what to do it's wise to do nothing. Sit down quietly; quiet our hearts and minds and breathe deeply.

4 years ago

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Tags : Maya Angelou Quotes , Wise Quotes , Heart Quotes

I do not believe that the accident of birth makes people sisters and brothers. It makes them siblings. Gives them mutuality of parentage. Sisterhood and brotherhood are conditions people have to work at. It's a serious matter. You compromise, you give, you take, you stand firm, and you're relentless...And it is an investment. Sisterhood means if you happen to be in Burma and I happen to be in San Diego and I'm married to someone who is very jealous and you're married to somebody who is very possessive, if you call me in the middle of the night, I have to come.

4 years ago

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Tags : Maya Angelou Quotes , Brother Quotes , Sibling Quotes

When I forgive other people, I let them go, I free them from my ignorance. And as soon as I do, I feel lighter, brighter and better.

4 years ago

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Tags : Maya Angelou Quotes , Ignorance Quotes , People Quotes

Hold those things that tell your history and protect them. During slavery, who was able to read or write or keep anything? The ability to have somebody to tell your story to is so important. It says: 'I was here. I may be sold tomorrow. But you know I was here.'

4 years ago

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Tags : Maya Angelou Quotes , Life Changing Quotes , Writing Quotes

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.

4 years ago

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Tags : Maya Angelou Quotes , Appreciation Quotes , Mean Quotes

When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time. People know themselves much better than you do. That's why it's important to stop expecting them to be something other than who they are

4 years ago

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Tags : Maya Angelou Quotes , Believe Quotes , People Quotes

Does my sexiness upset you? Does it come as a surprise That I dance like I've got diamonds At the meeting of my thighs?

4 years ago

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Tags : Maya Angelou Quotes , Life Quotes , Dance Quotes