The poetry you read has been written for you, each of you - black, white, Hispanic, man, woman, gay, straight.

I don't know how much longer I'll be around. I'll probably be writing when the Lord says, 'Maya, Maya Angelou, it's time.'

Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future and renders the present inaccessible.

I love wisdom. And you can never be great at anything unless you love it. Not be in love with it, but love the thing, admire the thing. And it seems that if you love the thing, and you don't just want to possess it, it will find you. But if you're in love with the thing, it may run like hell away from you.

The only way you can be a mark is if you want something for nothing. If you're greedy, you're set up.

All men are prepared to accomplish the incredible if their ideals are threatened.

At our best, we are all teachers