Some critics will write 'Maya Angelou is a natural writer' - which is right after being a natural heart surgeon.

A leader sees greatness in other people. He nor she can be much of a leader if all she sees is herself.

Happiness is a chance to talk to a friend, to hear good music, to have a good glass of wine. Happiness is a chance to be myself and to find people with whom I agree or who I don't agree but I can learn something.

My people couldn't have survived slavery without having hope that it would get better. And there's some songs from the 19th and 18th century that say [sings], "By and by, by and by, I will lay down, this heavy load." And I mean, so many songs that spoke of hope and understand it better by and by. Amazing songs. So that the slaves, just knowing that he, she, did not have the right legally to walk within one inch away from where the slave owner dictated, and yet the same person, wrote and sang with fervor, "If the lord wants somebody, here am I, send me." It's amazing.

Be present in all things and thankful for all things.

Today, the first & last of every Tree/ Speaks to humankind. Come to me, here beside the River.

You can practice any virtue erratically, but nothing consistently without courage.