America is a very seductive place in terms of lifestyle and comfort, but it wasn't for me.
Some critics will write 'Maya Angelou is a natural writer' - which is right after being a natural heart surgeon.
It is only out of ignorance that people are cruel, because they really don't think it will come back.
I think a hero is any person really intent on making this a better place for all people.
I believe that the most important single thing, beyond discipline and creativity is daring to dare.
I’m grateful for being here, for being able to think, for being able to see, for being able to taste, for appreciating love – for knowing that it exists in a world so rife with vulgarity, with brutality and violence, and yet love exists. I’m grateful to know that it exists.
A leader sees greatness in other people. He nor she can be much of a leader if all she sees is herself.
Let us rejoice that we are poor, And have no gold to keep: We do not need to bar the door Ere we can go to sleep.
I think that to a very great extent we are partners with the divine in this enterprise called history. That is an ongoing relationship, and there is absolutely no guarantee that things will automatically work out to our best advantage.
What often seemed like meanness or coldness was really fear of emotions and intimacy.
Unfortunately, because the theater is always a poor relation when it comes to making the nut, it's not easy to get the audience in to see a play, unless you have a name that is recognizable, that the audience wants to see and is prepared to pay the $125 to see.