Maya Angelou Has Passed Away At 86 And Her 21 Quotes To Live By

Prolific African-American poet Maya Angelou has passed away at 86. Reports say the respected poet and author died at her home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on Wednesday, May 28, 2014. 

Guy B Johnson, Angelou’s son confirmed the news in a statement; ‘Her family is extremely grateful that her ascension was not belabored by a loss of acuity or comprehension. She lived a life as a teacher, activist, artist and human being. She was a warrior for equality, tolerance and peace. 

The family is appreciative of the time we had with her and we know that she is looking down upon us with love.’ 

Angelou was born Marguerite Annie Johnson, in St Louis, Missouri, in 1928. She survived a host of personal trials: she was a child of the depression, grew up in the segregated south, survived a childhood rape, was a teenage mother, and was, at one time, a prostitute. 

She is perhaps best known for her 1969 memoir I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. She also wrote seven autobiographies, and was a playwright, director, actor, singer, songwriter and novelist. In 1993, she read On the Pulse of the Morning at President Clinton‘s first inauguration, a performance that made the poem a bestseller..

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In honor of Angelou's death, celebrate her life and remember her words, which can often inspire as much as they enlighten.

Here are 21 of her quotes to live by:

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

2. "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."

3. "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you."

4. "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."

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

6. "You can only become truly accomplished at 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."

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

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

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

10. "If I am not good to myself, how can I expect anyone else to be good to me?"

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


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

13. "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."

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

15. "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."

16. "I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life."

17. "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."

18. "We need much less than we think we need."

19. "I don't trust anyone who doesn't laugh."

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

21. "I've learned that I still have a lot to learn."