One isn't born with courage. One develops it by doing small courageous things-in the way that if one sets out to pick up a 100-pound bag of rice, one would be advised to start with a five-pound bag, then 10 pounds, then 20 pounds, and so forth, until one builds up enough muscle to lift the 100-pound bag. It's the same way with courage. You do small courageous things that require some mental and spiritual exertion.
Maya AngelouWe need to not be in denial about what we've done, what we've come through. It will help us if we all do that.
Maya AngelouStand up straight and realize who you are, that you tower over your circumstances. You are a child of God. Stand up straight.
Maya AngelouUntil blacks and whites see each other as brother and sister, we will not have parity. It's very clear.
Maya AngelouIt may in fact be utterly impossible to be successful without helping others to become successful.
Maya AngelouWe can see, from California to New York, from Maine to Florida, Seattle to New Mexico - everywhere there are women's groups. Everywhere there are women who have gotten together to examine global warming, and women who have gotten together to prepare each other for single parenting - there are women who have come together to be supportive to those whose mates are in prison, male or female, partners are in prison. All sorts of gatherings of women. I mean, I'm just celebrating my 80th year on this planet, and I look back 50 years ago and there was nothing like that.
Maya Angelou