Author and poet Maya Angelou died Wednesday at the age of 86. In honor of her life and accomplishments, here are 11 inspirational quotes from the legendary writer.
1. “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.”
2. “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”
3. “We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.”
4. “Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.”
5. “In diversity there is beauty and there is strength.”
6. “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”
7. “One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous or honest.”
8. “Never make someone a priority when all you are to them is an option.”
9. “History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, however, if faced with courage, need not be lived again.”
10. “Nothing will work unless you do.”
11. “Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”