Maya Angelou, the world-renowned Renaissance woman, has died at the age of 86, according to a statement from Wake Forest University released Wednesday.
Angelou, an actress, author, civil rights activist and so much more, was admired by many, and her death has sparked countless social media posts featuring some of Angelou’s most well-known quotes.
Her last message was given through a Tweet that stated: “Listen to yourself and in that quietude you might hear the voice of God.”
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Here we have compiled 15 such quotes you’re likely to see circulating today as admirers honor her memory.
- “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.”
- ”I am a child of God. I always carry that with me.”
- “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain.”
- “I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights ... I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life. I’ve learned that making a ‘living’ is not the same thing as making a ‘life.’ I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back.”
- “I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one. I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone.”
- “Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.”
- “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”
- “When you know better you do better.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “A woman’s heart should be so hidden in God that a man has to seek him just to find her.”
- “If I am not good to myself, how can I expect anyone else to be good to me?”
- “Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.”
- “You are the sum total of everything you’ve ever seen, heard, eaten, smelled, been told, forgot — it’s all there. Everything influences each of us, and because of that I try to make sure that my experiences are positive.”
- “I don’t trust anyone who doesn’t laugh.”