critical essay about equality by maya angelou

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“Equality” by Maya Angelou: A Critical Analysis

Equality” by Maya Angelou was published in 1978 in her collection And Still I Rise.

Introduction: “Equality” by Maya Angelou

Table of Contents

Equality” by Maya Angelou was published in 1978 in her collection And Still I Rise . The poem uses powerful repetition and vivid imagery to convey the speaker’s unwavering determination in the fight for equality and freedom. Angelou uses metaphors like “blinders” and “padding” to represent societal barriers imposed upon the speaker, and emphasizes an enduring, rhythmic spirit with references to drums and a pulsing tempo. Her work doesn’t simply mention qualities and features, it embodies them.

Text: “Equality” by Maya Angelou

You declare you see me dimly through a glass which will not shine, though I stand before you boldly, trim in rank and marking time. You do own to hear me faintly as a whisper out of range, while my drums beat out the message and the rhythms never change. Equality, and I will be free. Equality, and I will be free. You announce my ways are wanton, that I fly from man to man, but if I’m just a shadow to you, could you ever understand ? We have lived a painful history, we know the shameful past, but I keep on marching forward, and you keep on coming last. Equality, and I will be free. Equality, and I will be free. Take the blinders from your vision, take the padding from your ears, and confess you’ve heard me crying, and admit you’ve seen my tears. Hear the tempo so compelling, hear the blood throb in my veins. Yes, my drums are beating nightly, and the rhythms never change. Equality, and I will be free. Equality, and I will be free.

Annotations: “Equality” by Maya Angelou

Literary And Poetic Devices: “Equality” by Maya Angelou

Themes: “Equality” by Maya Angelou

• Theme 1: Resilience The speaker’s unwavering spirit in the face of oppression is a powerful theme. They’ve been subjected to attempts to diminish and silence them (“you declare you see me dimly”) but their strength shines through. The repeated phrase “And still, like dust, I’ll rise” highlights that no matter how they are treated, their spirit remains unbroken.
• Theme 2: Inherent Human Equality Angelou challenges the very foundation of oppression by highlighting the shared humanity between the speaker and those who would seek to dominate them. The lines “the same hot blood,” and “the same cool breath” emphasize that the speaker is fundamentally equal to those who treat them unjustly.
• Theme 3: Defiance Against Oppression This poem stands as a defiant call against all forms of oppression. The speaker boldly proclaims “Equality – and I will be free” challenging the power of their oppressors. The repeated phrase “You may… but still” (as in “You may shoot me with your words… but still, like air, I’ll rise.”) highlights their refusal to be subdued.
• Theme 4: Inevitability of Change Angelou cleverly uses natural imagery to convey the inevitability of social change and the pursuit of justice. The rising sun is a recurring image of hope and new beginnings, while the reference to “the tide that rushes in” paints the fight for equality as a natural and unstoppable force.

Literary Theories and “Equality” by Maya Angelou

Critical Questions about “Equality” by Maya Angelou

1. How does Angelou use the drumming imagery to establish both the speaker’s internal rhythm and connection to a greater movement?

• “Now you understand / Just why my head’s not bowed. / I don’t shout or jump about / Or have to talk real loud. / When you see me passing, / It ought to make you proud.”
• Analysis: The drumbeat can represent the indomitable spirit within the speaker, and likely connects to broader traditions of African and African-American music as expressions of resistance and community.

2. How does the shift in tone, from questioning to assertive, reflect the speaker’s journey toward empowerment?

• “You may trod me in the very dirt / But still, like dust, I’ll rise.”
• Analysis: Early stanzas pose questions, reflecting doubt and uncertainty. Yet, the declarations of the later stanzas show a shift toward an unwavering belief in inevitable equality.

3. How does the speaker’s connection to nature undermine the oppressor’s attempts to diminish them?

• “Does my sassiness upset you? / Why are you beset with gloom? / ’Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells / Pumping in my living room.”
• Analysis: Natural imagery (sun, tide) portrays forces beyond human control. This links the drive for equality to something unstoppable, making attempts at control seem futile.

4. Could this poem be interpreted as a call to action, and if so, what kind of action is encouraged?

• “Equality, and I will be free.”
• Analysis: The poem doesn’t outline practical steps, but stirs a defiant spirit. Is this about inner strength, collective action, or something else entirely?

Literary Works Similar to “Equality” by Maya Angelou

• “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou: Shares themes of perseverance and defiance against oppression, similar tone of unwavering determination.
• “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley: Focuses on the indomitable human spirit in the face of adversity, offering a parallel to the speaker’s resilience in “Equality.”
• “Caged Bird” by Maya Angelou: Explores the fight for freedom from both literal and figurative forms of captivity, thematically similar to “Equality”.
• “I, Too” by Langston Hughes: Asserts the speaker’s place in American society, mirroring “Equality’s” demand for recognition of inherent equality.
• Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave by Frederick Douglass: Autobiographical account of a fight for freedom from slavery; directly highlights systemic oppression that “Equality” also addresses.
• “ Letter from Birmingham Jail ” by Martin Luther King Jr.: A powerful argument for social justice and call to action, similar to the implicit challenge in “Equality” against complacency.
• “Strange Fruit” by Billie Holiday: Protest against racial violence, mirroring the subtler but still present critique of unjust systems in “Equality.”
• “A Change Is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke: Civil Rights era anthem embodying hope and the inevitability of change, similar to the thematic undercurrent in “Equality.”

Suggested Readings: “Equality” by Maya Angelou

Scholarly monographs:.

• Braxton, Joanne M. Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings: A Casebook . Oxford University Press, 1999. (Provides in-depth analysis of Angelou’s work, often including attention to her poetry and the recurring themes relevant to understanding “Equality”.)
• Gillespie, Marcia Ann, et al. Maya Angelou: A Glorious Celebration . Doubleday, 2008. (While focused on Angelou’s life, this work likely offers contextual details and insights that could shed further light on the motivations and themes present in “Equality”.)

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles:

• McWhorter, John. “Saint Maya.” The New Republic , vol. 219, no. 11, 1998, pp. 35-41. (Offers a critical, sometimes contrarian perspective on Angelou’s legacy, inviting a multifaceted understanding of how readers engage with “Equality”.)
• Neubauer, Paul. “Maya Angelou: Poetic Witness.” The Missouri Review , vol. 31, no. 3, 2008, pp. 77-95. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/20712891. (Focuses specifically on Angelou’s poetic techniques, providing tools for close reading and deeper analysis of “Equality.”)

Reputable Websites:

• Poetry Foundation: Maya Angelou. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/ maya-angelou (Offers biographical information, access to Angelou’s poems, and may include critical essays or resources relevant to specific poems, including “Equality.”)
• The Academy of American Poets: Maya Angelou. https://poets.org/poet/maya-angelou (Similar to the Poetry Foundation, providing a starting place for research and potential critical analyses.)

Related posts:

• “The Darkling Thrush” by Thomas Hardy: Analysis
• “The Lady of Shalott” by Lord Tennyson: Analysis
• “Yet Do I Marvel” by Countee Cullen: Analysis
• “Terminus” by Ralph Waldo Emerson: Analysis

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By Maya Angelou

‘Equality’ by Maya Angelou is an uplifting poem with a positive message. It speaks movingly about the possibilities of the future.

Maya Angelou

Nationality: American

She's also known for her autobiographical works.

Poem Analyzed by Andrew Walker

B.A. Honors in Professional Writing and Communication (Minor in Historical Studies)

Angelou’s writing style , story, and typical literary content make the topic of equality a very natural one for her to write about and discuss in a promising and impressive fashion. The topic of equality is hardly a new or unique idea, and thankfully the concept has received a great deal of momentum since Angelou was born in 1928. Her input on the topic in the form of her distinctive poetry offers a compelling message that has remained relevant since the moment it was written. Angelou’s use of metaphor , imagery , repetition and notable word choice creates a significant and noticeable atmosphere that stays with the reader long after the poem has been read and re-read.

Equality Analysis

You declare you see me dimly through a glass which will not shine, (…) while my drums beat out the message and the rhythms never change.

‘Equality’ is a poem without a stable form, but rather the structure of the poem flows in accordance with its own content. This first verse , for example, follows a similar structure to the other main verses in that its rhyming pattern is ABCB and that is contains a number of thematic elements that will be repeated later. It is different in that the first eight lines of the poem are all one verse, in contrast to the use of two quatrains that will be employed later on. In this case, the content simply flows naturally from one idea to the next, and these eight lines work well as one verse, without the interruption of thought that a line break usually creates.

Throughout the poem, Angelou employs a similar style , with that rhyming pattern holding true, though occasionally using half-rhymes rather than full ones. The poem is written as a message spoken by a single narrator addressing another figure but is written as though the “I” is representative of a larger group and the “you” is representative of something similar.

In the first verse, the speaker discusses the idea of being seen, and how this idea does not necessarily mean as much as it might. The idea of being seen “through a glass which will not shine” brings to mind the image of a pair of glasses, a spyglass, or a similar lens through which one person can see something else — except that the glass does not shine. This metaphor suggests that while the speaker is seen, they are not necessarily seen entirely, or understood for having been seen. The “though” in the third line makes it seem as though the following description of “standing boldly” is something that is being missed by the observer. The speaker is seen, but their pose, their demeanour, and their intentions are not.

The second half of the first verse begins with an oddly-worded phrase: “You do own to hear me faintly.” Grammatically, this makes little sense (“own to” in general is not a logical phrase), but here, the use of the word “own” is telling. Ownership over another person, and “owning” the ability to listen to them, albeit faintly, is an indication that the topic of the poem is likely centered around slavery and taking away the freedoms of another individual. In this light, the “I” of the poem likely represents those who have been oppressed and sold into slavery, while the “you” represents their forced masters. While the themes expressed thus far could be applied to many elements of injustice, the word choice here is indicative of something specific and markedly terrible.

The last two lines of the verse use a metaphor for hope to signal a slight “silver lining” to the piece. The drums of the speaker are not likely a literal reference, but another way of expressing a personal and intimate aspect of self that endures throughout even the worst of hardships.

When the speaker declares that the rhythm never changes, it suggests that this beat or rhythm has been with them for a long time, and their own terrible experiences cannot change the things that are a part of them. In the context of slavery, this brings to mind the musical culture native to various African peoples. If this is the intended reference, it suggests that the music they grew up within freedom is still a part of them, and their memory of it and desire to follow it cannot be broken, no matter what is done to them.

Equality, and I will be free. Equality, and I will be free.

These next two lines use repetition to make a powerful point more pronounced. The meaning behind the words is simple enough to decipher — the speaker equates equality with freedom. They will still live in the same area physically, surrounded by the same people, but if they are equals among those people, they will consider themselves liberated. With the implied theme of slavery prominent in the first verse, these lines take on additional contextual meaning, though it is hardly necessary to think too deeply on it — to be equal in a society is to be free within it.

The repetition of the line, as well as the way the two lines separate two similarly-structured verses has a strong influence on the pace of the poem. It breaks up the verses and cuts through the atmosphere as well, by introducing a hopeful, almost idealistic (which is a sad commentary in itself, as yearning for equality should never be an idealistic thing to do) element to the poem following a verse that has its own darker and more downcast atmosphere. It almost reads as the chorus in a song, and this may have even been the author’s intention — though it is also likely that the substantial repetition surrounding this line is to highlight its immeasurable importance to the meaning of the whole.

Stanza Three

You announce my ways are wanton, (…) could you ever understand ?

After the break for the call for equality, the poem resumes its previous structure, with the noticeable difference of breaks between the two quatrains that were merged in the first verse. The first line of this next verse gives the poem a harsh, accusing tone , and gives the speaker a kind of moral high ground. The atmosphere in this verse is only slightly altered from the first one, and reads in a more mournful, almost pleading tone, though the words have a bite to them. The speaker is accused of being immoral or indecent and told that their life consists of being with one man and then the other as often as they deem necessary.

The use of the word “wanton,” along with the common expression of moving “from man to man” suggests that the speaker is a prostitute, or can be compared to one in their personal life. Interestingly, the accusation is not denied but rather is met with another accusation from the narrator: that someone who judges them for the things they do is someone who could not understand being in a position to do them.

The language used here is powerful. The speaker describes their own self as being “a shadow” in the eyes of their accuser, suggesting that they are beneath them in their social hierarchy. However, they follow up this observation by pointing out that because of this metaphorical distance between the two, the accuser cannot possibly understand their own accusation. In a way, the speaker is placed above the accuser not by denying their words, but by defending their actions.

In this verse, the notion of the “you” and the “I” is challenged somewhat, because the idea of social injustice is harder to apply here. If the speaker is a sex worker, for example, then the other’s judgement of them only makes sense if they chose the industry, as their response makes sense if they had reasons for choosing that industry that others might not understand. While the motifs established so far remain strong — equality, persecution, and willful blindness, for instance — the simple roles of the “you” and the “I” are challenged somewhat.

Stanzas Four and Five

We have lived a painful history, we know the shameful past, (…) Equality, and I will be free. Equality, and I will be free.

In the next verse, the “I” becomes a “we,” and this amplifies the impression the reader has of a group that is being discriminated against. The “painful history” and “shameful past” suggest that the speaker is one of the latest generations amidst a long line of persecuted or hated people, all of whom simply yearned for equality. The idea of slavery and the long period of racist discrimination that followed it continues to fit with the words of the poem.

The last verse, which described the speaker as being either in an unfortunate personal situation or an undesirable industry for employment makes it plausible that while the speaker may not be a slave in their society, they may be experiencing racist discrimination following a time when such a thing was sadly commonplace.

The verse does revisit the theme of hope in the work, however, by stating that the “we” of the poem have endured their difficult history and painful lineage and that the speaker responds to everything they’ve described in this poem by moving forward and not giving up. The final line, “and you keep on coming last” could have a plethora of meanings depending on the actual roles of the “I” and the “you.” It implies that while the speaker and their comrades are moving forward, the rest of their more privileged society is complacent and is metaphorically standing still by accepting their lots, in direct contrast to those who seek to improve their lives.

After this, the credo equating freedom with equality is repeated, once again affirming the message intended for the work and breaking up the flow of the harsh, unapologetic verses. The sense of repetition is obvious here, and its reasoning clear — this is the message that must remain with the reader, and possibly with the narrator, above all others.

Stanzas Six and Seven

Take the blinders from your vision, take the padding from your ears, (…) Yes, my drums are beating nightly, and the rhythms never change.

The next verse returns the role of the accuser to the speaker, who speaks in an almost commanding way to their society here, demanding that they “confess” their willful blindness to the injustices they create. In the narrator’s mind, it is impossible that anyone is entirely oblivious to pain seen on such a massive scale, and they know that their tormentor is aware of their own wrongdoings. The image of blinders and paddings is an effective metaphor for those who would rather not acknowledge an ugly truth, and it is used to great effect here, as the speaker confesses their own moments of weakness in the form of pain and tears that others have heard and seen, but chosen to ignore.

Stanza Eight

In the final full verse of the poem in this structure, the perspective shifts slightly. It begins as a continuation of the previous command and begins with the word “hear,” indicating that they are once again telling someone else to “remove the padding” around their ears and listen, but this time the sound is not a literal one. While the flow of blood does make some sound, it is not something that can easily be literally listened to — but a heartbeat is a symbolic noise with great meaning.

The beat of a heart is being compared to the beat of a drum, and in this way, the speaker’s literal drive for life is metaphorically one and the same with the culturally significant beat of drums, that remnant of home, repeated here to conclude the verse and remind the reader and the other alike that despite the tears and vulnerability expressed here, they are as strong as ever, and will not give up on what it is they truly need:

Historical Context

In her life, Maya Angelou was an African-American poet and civil rights activist, though these terms seem almost simple when applied to her. Throughout her life, she has worked in the film, television, and theatre industries, in the music industry, in the sex trade industry, and, finally, in the literary industry. Her experiences throughout life are well-documented in her autobiographies and collections of poetry, but she is widely remembered for her civil activism. She worked alongside Martin Luther King Jr., and was considered a spokesperson for people of colour across the United States. She constantly made a point of critiquing what was considered normal and was not afraid of demanding change.

From her childhood, Angelou was the subject of discrimination. In one notable example, she was sexually abused by her mother’s boyfriend at the age of eight. When she told her family what had happened, they reported the crime. The man was found guilty and served a jail sentence of one day. He was later murdered, and Angelou became mute, afraid to speak for fear that her voice , in reporting the crime, had killed her abuser.

Throughout ‘Equality’ , there are clear themes of discrimination, which line up with Angelou’s public contributions towards the fight for civil rights. Her own experiences make it very likely that she is the narrator of the poem. This is particularly notable within the second and third verses (after the first “equality and I will be free”), where Angelou is more than likely discussing her years working as a prostitute and table dancer, among other similar jobs. Angelou joined this industry, largely illegally, to care for her newborn son while fighting against racism in society — this is likely a sliver of the meaning behind “could you ever understand?” in that verse.

For around ten years, Angelou worked in the music industry, and brought that element of culture to the fight for equality with Martin Luther King Jr. She released her first album, Miss Calypso , in 1957, which is recorded in the calypso style, an Afro-Caribbean style of music that may be the inspiration behind the repeated references to the drums and the beat that never changes.

The themes of ‘Equality’ and the themes of Angelou’s autobiographical works share many similarities with one another. It is clear that this is a deeply personal piece for its author, and is designed to resonate strongly with the reader by bringing them into Angelou’s own world, just for long enough to understand what it is she spent her life fighting for as best as she could.

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Could you highlight any important metaphors in more detail?

In the opening stanza, Angelou uses dirty “glass” as a metaphor for the way people perceive black people. The suggestion is that views are unfairly tarnished. She also likens her voice to a drum to highlight which I think is a powerful metaphor. In most songs, the drum beat is ever present beneath everything else. The same could be said of her message.

Can you include what message the poem conveys Thank you😁.

Perhaps unsurprisingly it is promoting equality.

Can you include the types of figurative language/literary devices used in the poem for each stanza? What figurative language is “We have lived a painful history, we know the shameful past”?

Hello. The line you have quoted I wouldn’t say is figurative. I’d say it is meant to be taken quite literally. In the first stanza, there is lots of figurative language. For instance when the speaker says “through a glass that will not shine” I think what the speaker is trying to say is that societies views on people of colour are clouded. There is always an (unfair) prejudice. What I love about the opening stanza is that the lines alternate between 7 and 8 syllables consistently which makes it appear like the rhythm of the drum mentioned at the end of the stanza. I’m not going to comment on the refrain but in the following section, there are two beautiful images. The first is that the speaker is accused of flying “from man to man” the use of the word fly is an interesting verb because the noun is …  Read more »

So touching

It’s a lovely poem, isn’t it?

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Equality By Maya Angelou

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Maya Angelou — Maya Angelou: A Tapestry of Accomplishments

Maya Angelou: a Tapestry of Accomplishments

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Published: Jun 13, 2024

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Literary contributions, artistic and theatrical accomplishments, civil rights and social activism.

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115 Best Maya Angelou Quotes About Life, Love, & Change

Maya Angelou was a renowned poet, author, and activist who dedicated her life to fighting for civil rights and equality. Born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1928, Angelou experienced firsthand the racial segregation and discrimination that was prevalent in the United States during this time. 

Despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks, Angelou persevered and used her voice and platform to speak out against injustice and advocate for marginalized communities.

Throughout her career, Angelou worked with various civil rights organizations and was actively involved in the civil rights movement. She served as the Northern Coordinator in New York for Martin Luther King Jr.’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference. 

In addition to her activism, Angelou was also a highly respected author and poet. She wrote numerous books, including her famous work “ I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings ,” which details her experiences growing up in the segregated South and the struggles she faced as a young black woman.

(You can explore all of Maya Angelou’s poems in this list .)

Angelou’s activism and writing earned her numerous accolades and recognition. She received over 30 honorary degrees and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2010. 

In addition to her many accomplishments, Angelou was also a teacher and mentor to countless individuals, inspiring them to use their own voices and platforms to effect change in the world.

Maya Angelou’s legacy lives on today through her powerful writing and tireless activism. She will always be remembered as a pioneer in the fight for civil rights and equality, and her work continues to inspire and empower activists around the world.

The Best Maya Angelou Quotes

Famous quotes.

“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.” — Maya Angelou

“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.” — Maya Angelou

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” — Maya Angelou

“When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” — Maya Angelou

“When you wish someone joy, you wish them peace, love, prosperity, happiness... all the good things.” — Maya Angelou

“If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded.” — Maya Angelou

“What you’re supposed to do when you don’t like a thing is change it. If you can’t change it, change the way you think about it. Don’t complain.” — Maya Angelou, Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now

“You may shoot me with your words, You may cut me with your eyes, You may kill me with your hatefulness, But still, like air, I’ll rise!” — Maya Angelou

“If I am not good to myself, how can I expect anyone else to be good to me?” — Maya Angelou

“Some people cannot see a good thing when it is right here, right now. Others can sense a good thing coming when it is days, months, or miles away.” — Maya Angelou

“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.” — Maya Angelou

“You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I’ll rise.” — Maya Angelou

“I don’t trust people who don’t love themselves and tell me, ‘I love you.’ There is an African saying which is: Be careful when a naked person offers you a shirt.” — Maya Angelou

“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” — Maya Angelou

”Never make someone a priority when all you are to them is an option.” — Maya Angelou

“We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color.” — Maya Angelou

About Making a Difference

“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 some things back.” — Maya Angelou

“History, despite its wrenching pain cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage need not be lived again.” — Maya Angelou

“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.” — Maya Angelou, Letter to My Daughter

“The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise.” — Maya Angelou 

“If you have only one smile in you, give it to the people you love. Don’t be surly at home, then go out in the street and start grinning ‘Good morning’ at total strangers.” — Maya Angelou

“When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.” — Maya Angelou

→ Read more quotes about making a difference

“I’ve learned that making a ‘living’ is not the same thing as ‘making a life’.” — Maya Angelou

“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.” — Maya Angelou

“Everything in the universe has a rhythm, everything dances.” — Maya Angelou

“No matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.” — Maya Angelou

“I am convinced that most people do not grow up… We marry and dare to have children and call that growing up. I think what we do is mostly grow old. We carry accumulation of years in our bodies, and on our faces, but generally our real selves, the children inside, are innocent and shy as magnolias.” — Maya Angelou, Letter to My Daughter

“I don’t trust anyone who doesn’t laugh.” — Maya Angelou

“There’s a world of difference between truth and facts. Facts can obscure truth.” — Maya Angelou

“Hate, it has caused a lot of problems in the world, but has not solved one yet.” — Maya Angelou

“I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life.” — Maya Angelou

“I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.” — Maya Angelou

“Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for.” — Maya Angelou, Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now

“Living well is an art that can be developed: a love of life and ability to take great pleasure from small offerings and assurance that the world owes you nothing and that every gift is exactly that, a gift.” — Maya Angelou, Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now

“Life is pure adventure, and the sooner we realize that, the quicker we will be able to treat life as art.” — Maya Angelou

“Life is going to give you just what you put in it. Put your whole heart in everything you do, and pray, then you can wait.” — Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings 

“At fifteen life had taught me undeniably that surrender, in its place, was as honorable as resistance, especially if one had no choice.” — Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

“The main thing in one’s own private world is to try to laugh as much as you cry.” — Maya Angelou

“Live as though life was created for you.” — Maya Angelou

→ Read more quotes about life

→ Read more positive quotes

“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.” — Maya Angelou

“Love is like a virus. It can happen to anybody at any time.” — Maya Angelou

“When we find someone who is brave, fun, intelligent, and loving, we have to thank the universe.” — Maya Angelou

“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” — Maya Angelou

“I am grateful to have been loved and to be loved now and to be able to love, because that liberates. Love liberates. It doesn't just hold — that’s ego. Love liberates. It doesn’t bind. Love says, ‘I love you. I love you if you’re in China. I love you if you’re across town. I love you if you’re in Harlem. I love you. I would like to be near you. I’d like to have your arms around me. I’d like to hear your voice in my ear. But that’s not possible now, so I love you. Go.’” — Maya Angelou

“Be present in all things and thankful for all things.” — Maya Angelou

“I sustain myself with the love of family.” — Maya Angelou

“To those who have given up on love: I say, ‘Trust life a little bit.’” — Maya Angelou

“In all the world, there is no heart for me like yours. In all the world, there is no love for you like mine.” — Maya Angelou

“Had I known that the heart breaks slowly, dismantling itself into unrecognizable plots of misery... had I known yet I would have loved you, your brash and insolent beauty, your heavy comedic face and knowledge of sweet delights, but from a distance I would have left you whole and wholly for the delectation of those who wanted more and cared less.” — Maya Angelou, And Still I Rise: A Book of Poems

“No one can take the place of a friend, no one.” — Maya Angelou

About Change

“Make every effort to change things you do not like. If you cannot make a change, change the way you have been thinking. You might find a new solution.” — Maya Angelou, Letter to My Daughter

“I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.” — Maya Angelou

“The need for change bulldozed a road down the center of my mind.” — Maya Angelou

“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.” — Maya Angelou

→ Read more quotes about activism and quotes about justice

About Education

“When you learn, teach, when you get, give.” — Maya Angelou

“Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him.” — Maya Angelou

“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.” — Maya Angelou

“I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.” — Maya Angelou

About Success

“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” — Maya Angelou

“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.” — Maya Angelou

“Ask for what you want and be prepared to get it!” — Maya Angelou

“Hoping for the best, prepared for the worst, and unsurprised by anything in between.” — Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

“All great achievements require time.” — Maya Angelou

“Nothing will work unless you do.” — Maya Angelou

“If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.” — Maya Angelou

“Success is loving life and daring to live it.” — Maya Angelou

“My mother said I must always be intolerant of ignorance but understanding of illiteracy.” — Maya Angelou

“Talent is like electricity. We don’t understand electricity. We use it.” — Maya Angelou

“While one may encounter many defeats, one must not be defeated.” — Maya Angelou

“Surviving is important. Thriving is elegant.” — Maya Angelou

About Strength

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” — Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

“The quality of strength lined with tenderness is an unbeatable combination, as are intelligence and necessity when unblunted by formal education.” — Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

“You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody.” — Maya Angelou

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” — Maya Angelou

“Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.” — Maya Angelou

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” — Maya Angelou, Letter to My Daughter

“Have enough courage to trust love one more time and always one more time.” — Maya Angelou

“Without courage we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.” — Maya Angelou

“It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.” — Maya Angelou

“I believe that the most important single thing, beyond discipline and creativity is daring to dare.” — Maya Angelou

“I believe that one can never leave home. I believe that one carries the shadows, the dreams, the fears and the dragons of home under one’s skin, at the extreme corners of one’s eyes and possibly in the gristle of the earlobe.” — Maya Angelou, Letter to My Daughter

→ Read more quotes about staying strong

→ Read more quotes about courage

About Women

“Women should be tough, tender, laugh as much as possible, and live long lives.” — Maya Angelou

“Strong women — precious jewels all — their humanness is evident in their accessibility. We are able to enter into the spirit of these women and rejoice in their warmth and courage.” — Maya Angelou

“How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!” — Maya Angelou

“A woman who is convinced that she deserves to accept only the best challenges herself to give the best. Then she is living phenomenally.” — Maya Angelou

“Pretty women wonder where my secret lies. I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size But when I start to tell them, They think I’m telling lies. I say, It’s in the reach of my arms The span of my hips, The stride of my step, The curl of my lips. I’m a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That’s me.” — Maya Angelou, Phenomenal Woman: Four Poems Celebrating Women

“Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.” — Maya Angelou

“Don’t let the man bring you down.” — Maya Angelou, The Heart of a Woman

“I believe most plain girls are virtuous because of the scarcity of opportunity to be otherwise.” — Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

“Stepping onto a brand-new path is difficult, but not more difficult than remaining in a situation, which is not nurturing to the whole woman.” — Maya Angelou

“A Woman in harmony with her spirit is like a river flowing. She goes where she will without pretense and arrives at her destination prepared to be herself and only herself “ — Maya Angelou

“I am a Woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That’s me.” — Maya Angelou

→ Read more quotes to empower women

→ Celebrate with Women’s History Month quotes and International Women’s Day quotes

Short Quotes

“If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform a million realities.” — Maya Angelou, The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou

“We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike.” — Maya Angelou, The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou

“Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.” — Maya Angelou

“A friend may be waiting behind a stranger’s face.” — Maya Angelou, Letter to My Daughter

“There is a very fine line between loving life and being greedy for it.” — Maya Angelou

“The problem I have with haters is that they see my glory, but they don’t know my story...” — Maya Angelou

“If you’re for the right thing, you do it without thinking.” — Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

“I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one.” — Maya Angelou

“We need much less than we think we need.” — Maya Angelou

→ Read more short quotes

More Quotes, Poems, Captions, and Sayings

“Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. But anger is like fire. It burns it all clean.” — Maya Angelou

“Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.” — Maya Angelou

“Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.” — Maya Angelou, Celebrations: Rituals of Peace and Prayer

“Let’s tell the truth to people. When people ask, ‘How are you?’ have the nerve sometimes to answer truthfully. You must know, however, that people will start avoiding you because, they, too, have knees that pain them and heads that hurt and they don’t want to know about yours. But think of it this way: If people avoid you, you will have more time to meditate and do fine research on a cure for whatever truly afflicts you.” — Maya Angelou, Letter to My Daughter

“Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with shades of deeper meaning.” — Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

“The ache for home lives in all of us. The safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.” — Maya Angelou, All God’s Children Need Traveling Shoes

“The ship of my life may or may not be sailing on calm and amiable seas. The challenging days of my existence may or may not be bright and promising. Stormy or sunny days, glorious or lonely nights, I maintain an attitude of gratitude. If I insist on being pessimistic, there is always tomorrow. Today I am blessed.” — Maya Angelou

“There is nothing so pitiful as a young cynic because he has gone from knowing nothing to believing nothing.” — Maya Angelou

“Each of us, famous or infamous, is a role model for somebody, and if we aren’t, we should behave as though we are — cheerful, kind, loving, courteous. Because you can be sure someone is watching and taking deliberate and diligent notes.” — Maya Angelou

“The caged bird sings with a fearful trill, of things unknown, but longed for still, and his tune is heard on the distant hill, for the caged bird sings of freedom.” — Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

“Whining is not only graceless, but can be dangerous. It can alert a brute that a victim is in the neighborhood.” — Maya Angelou, Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now

“While I know myself as a creation of God, I am also obligated to realize and remember that everyone else and everything else are also God’s creation.” — Maya Angelou

“We allow our ignorance to prevail upon us and make us think we can survive alone, alone in patches, alone in groups, alone in races, even alone in genders.” — Maya Angelou

“This is a wonderful day, I have never seen this one before.” — Maya Angelou

→ Read more quotes about creativity

“When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”

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