Maya Angelou, the prolific writer, poet, and civil rights activist, left behind a treasure trove of wisdom that continues to inspire generations. Her powerful words on life, love, resilience, courage, and identity are perfect for Instagram captions that resonate deeply with your followers.
Whether you’re navigating challenges, embracing joys, or seeking empowerment, Maya Angelou’s quotes offer a fresh perspective and motivational boost. Her timeless teachings remind us that “Nothing will work unless you do” and that we should “never forget how someone made us feel.”
This collection of quotes is a celebration of her legacy—expressive, exuberant, and steeped in the richness of human experience. Whether you’re looking to elevate your Instagram with poetic depth or spark thoughtful reflection, these quotes are accessible, relatable, and impactful.
Perfect for turning everyday moments into meaningful memories.
1. Maya Angelou Quotes on Life and Resilience
- “Nothing will work unless you do.”
- “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.”
- “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”
- “I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.”
- “We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.”
- “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”
- “Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”
- “Still, like air, I’ll rise.”
- “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”
- “I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one.”
- “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
- “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”
- “Stand up straight and realize who you are, that you tower over your circumstances.”
- “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive.”
- “Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted.”
- “You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody.”
- “I’ve learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life.”
- “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
- “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”
- “I work very hard, and I play very hard. I’m grateful for life.”
- “I’m not afraid of dying, I’m afraid of not trying.”
- “Life is pure adventure.”
- “Ask for what you want and be prepared to get it.”
- “Determine to live life with flair and laughter.”
- “When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.”
2. Inspirational Maya Angelou Quotes for Empowerment
- “Phenomenal woman, that’s me.”
- “I come as one, but I stand as ten thousand.”
- “I am a Woman, Phenomenally.”
- “You are only free when you realize you belong no place — you belong every place — no place at all.”
- “I respect myself and insist upon it from everybody. And because I do it, I then respect everybody, too.”
- “I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels.”
- “We need much less than we think we need.”
- “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through.”
- “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”
- “You may shoot me with your words… but still, like air, I’ll rise.”
- “I am grateful to be a woman. I must have done something great in another life.”
- “A wise woman wishes to be no one’s enemy; a wise woman refuses to be anyone’s victim.”
- “My greatest blessing has been the birth of my son. My next greatest blessing has been my ability to turn people into children of mine.”
- “The woman who survives intact and happy must be at once tender and tough.”
- “Having courage does not mean we are unafraid.”
- “It’s one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, to forgive.”
- “I have enough of life in me to make someone else happy.”
- “Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host.”
- “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said… but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
- “I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.”
- “Everything in the universe has a rhythm, everything dances.”
- “I believe that each of us comes from the Creator trailing wisps of glory.”
- “Ask for what you want and be prepared to get it.”
- “I sustain myself with the love of family.”
- “Nothing can dim the light that shines from within.”
3. Love and Relationship Quotes by Maya Angelou

- “Love recognizes no barriers.”
- “The best love is the kind that awakens the soul.”
- “Have enough courage to trust love one more time and always one more time.”
- “Love liberates. It doesn’t bind.”
- “If we lose love and self-respect for each other, this is how we finally die.”
- “If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded.”
- “Love costs all we are and will ever be.”
- “Love heals. Heals and liberates.”
- “I know for sure that love saves me and that it is here to save us all.”
- “Loving someone liberates the lover as well as the beloved.”
- “Open your eyes to the beauty around you, open your mind to the wonders of life.”
- “Be present in all things and thankful for all things.”
- “Love is like a virus. It can happen to anybody at any time.”
- “I believe that every person is born with talent.”
- “We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike.”
- “I know why the caged bird sings.”
- “Each of us has that right, that possibility, to invent ourselves daily.”
- “Never make someone a priority when all you are to them is an option.”
- “When you learn, teach. When you get, give.”
- “The ache for home lives in all of us.”
- “Love is that condition in the human spirit so profound it allows us to forgive.”
- “Words mean more than what is set down on paper.”
- “If you’re always trying to be normal you’ll never know how amazing you can be.”
- “I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels.”
- “It’s one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, to forgive.”
4. Famous Maya Angelou Quotes to Remember Always
- “Nothing will work unless you do.”
- “Still I Rise.”
- “Phenomenal Woman.”
- “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”
- “Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”
- “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”
- “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly.”
- “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.”
- “When you learn, teach.”
- “When you get, give.”
- “Love liberates.”
- “Nothing can dim the light that shines from within.”
- “People will never forget how you made them feel.”
- “If you don’t like something, change it.”
- “Courage is the most important of all the virtues.”
- “Bitterness is like cancer.”
- “We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike.”
- “Ask for what you want and be prepared to get it.”
- “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
- “I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.”
- “Success is liking yourself.”
- “Love heals. Heals and liberates.”
- “Be a blessing to somebody.”
- “Seek patience and passion in equal amounts.”
- “I have learned that making a living is not the same as making a life.”
5. Maya Angelou Quotes About Courage and Strength

- “Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency.”
- “Courage allows the successful woman to fail and learn powerful lessons.”
- “Having courage does not mean we are unafraid.”
- “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear.”
- “Ask for what you want and be prepared to get it.”
- “You can’t really know where you are going until you know where you have been.”
- “The need for change bulldozed a road down the center of my mind.”
- “All great achievements require time.”
- “I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one.”
- “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
- “I do not trust people who don’t love themselves.”
- “Never whine. Whining lets a brute know that a victim is in the neighborhood.”
- “You can’t use up creativity.”
- “We need much less than we think we need.”
- “It’s one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, to forgive.”
- “Everything in the universe has rhythm.”
- “We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.”
- “Love recognizes no barriers.”
- “I respect myself and insist upon it from everybody.”
- “I sustain myself with the love of family.”
- “Continue to be who you are.”
- “Determine to live life with flair and laughter.”
- “Pursue the things you love doing.”
- “Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future.”
- “You alone are enough.”
6. Quotes for Self-Worth and Confidence
- “I am enough.”
- “You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody.”
- “I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels.”
- “I am a woman. Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, that’s me.”
- “Ask for what you want and be prepared to get it.”
- “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”
- “If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.”
- “Stand up straight and realize who you are.”
- “Never make someone a priority when all you are to them is an option.”
- “Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”
- “I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.”
- “Determine to live life with flair and laughter.”
- “Be a blessing to somebody.”
- “I respect myself and insist upon it from everybody.”
- “The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious.”
- “If we lose love and self-respect for each other, this is how we finally die.”
- “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly.”
- “I’ve learned that making a living is not the same as making a life.”
- “Bitterness is like cancer.”
- “I come as one but stand as ten thousand.”
- “I’m grateful for life.”
- “Be present in all things and thankful for all things.”
- “Forgiveness is the greatest gift you can give yourself.”
- “Continue to be who you are and how you are.”
- “You may not control all the events… but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”
7. Maya Angelou Quotes That Inspire Change and Growth
- “If you don’t like something, change it.”
- “Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.”
- “Nothing will work unless you do.”
- “I can be changed by what happens to me.”
- “When you learn, teach.”
- “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly…”
- “Every storm runs out of rain.”
- “Success is loving yourself and what you do.”
- “Life is pure adventure.”
- “We may encounter many defeats…”
- “Ask for what you want…”
- “I respect myself…”
- “Bitterness is like cancer…”
- “If you’re always trying to be normal…”
- “Try to be a rainbow…”
- “Determine to live life with flair…”
- “You can’t use up creativity.”
- “My mission is to thrive.”
- “Everything in the universe has a rhythm.”
- “You alone are enough.”
- “Be present in all things…”
- “We need much less…”
- “Stand up straight and realize who you are.”
- “Phenomenal woman… that’s me.”
- “Do the best you can…”
8. Maya Angelou Quotes on Wisdom and Learning

- “When you learn, teach. When you get, give.”
- “I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.”
- “Wisdom is knowing what to do next; virtue is doing it.”
- “I’ve learned that making a ‘living’ is not the same as making a ‘life.’”
- “The more you know of your history, the more liberated you are.”
- “If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform one million realities.”
- “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”
- “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
- “I do my best because I’m counting on you counting on me.”
- “Be present in all things and thankful for all things.”
- “Everything in the universe has rhythm. Everything dances.”
- “History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived.”
- “Seek patience and passion in equal amounts.”
- “A leader sees greatness in other people.”
- “The need for change bulldozed a road down the center of my mind.”
- “Love liberates. It doesn’t bind.”
- “Ask for what you want and be prepared to get it.”
- “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly…”
- “All great achievements require time.”
- “Each time a woman stands up for herself, she stands up for all women.”
- “I respect myself and insist upon it from everybody.”
- “We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.”
- “Stand up straight and realize who you are.”
- “You alone are enough.”
- “Nothing can dim the light that shines from within.”
9. Overcoming Adversity Quotes
- “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.”
- “I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.”
- “Still, like air, I’ll rise.”
- “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
- “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.”
- “Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host.”
- “We need much less than we think we need.”
- “History cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.”
- “Life is pure adventure.”
- “Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”
- “The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious.”
- “I respect myself and insist upon it from everybody.”
- “Forgiveness is the greatest gift you can give yourself.”
- “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive.”
- “Ask for what you want and be prepared to get it.”
- “We are more alike than we are unalike.”
- “Courage allows the successful woman to fail and learn powerful lessons.”
- “We may encounter many defeats…”
- “Success is liking what you do.”
- “Determine to live life with flair and laughter.”
- “Be a blessing to somebody.”
- “I love to see a young girl grab the world by the lapels.”
- “You alone are enough.”
- “The need for change bulldozed a road down the center of my mind.”
- “Nothing can dim the light…”
10. Maya Angelou on Beauty and Transformation
- “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly…”
- “If you’re always trying to be normal…”
- “There’s something beautiful about a storm.”
- “We need to remember that beauty is more than looks.”
- “Everything in the universe has rhythm…”
- “Nothing can dim the light that shines from within.”
- “You may shoot me with your words… but still I’ll rise.”
- “Transform pain into power.”
- “Real beauty comes from the soul.”
- “Phenomenal woman — that’s me.”
- “The ache for home lives in all of us.”
- “Be present in all things and thankful for all things.”
- “Each of us has that right to invent ourselves daily.”
- “Love heals and liberates.”
- “Prejudice is a burden…”
- “When someone shows you who they are…”
- “Ask for what you want and be prepared to get it.”
- “Be a blessing to somebody.”
- “You alone are enough.”
- “I sustain myself with the love of family.”
- “Stand up straight and realize who you are.”
- “Success is liking what you do.”
- “Seek patience and passion…”
- “Courage allows us to grow.”
- “I come as one, but I stand as ten thousand.”
11. Kindness and Connection Quotes
- “Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”
- “Be a blessing to somebody.”
- “When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.”
- “Each of us has that right to invent ourselves daily.”
- “Love recognizes no barriers.”
- “You can never go wrong with kindness.”
- “Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host.”
- “Open your heart. Let someone in.”
- “Seek patience and passion in equal amounts.”
- “The ache for home lives in all of us.”
- “If you find it in your heart to care…”
- “We are more alike… than unalike.”
- “Friendship is a gift.”
- “Each person deserves a day away…”
- “Be present in all things…”
- “You alone are enough.”
- “Treat others with dignity.”
- “Speak to people’s hearts.”
- “Connection is the energy between people…”
- “Lift someone today.”
- “Kindness is the only investment…”
- “Compassion is language the deaf can hear…”
- “The best love is the kind that awakens the soul.”
- “You can give without loving, but you can’t love without giving.”
- “Be a friend. It costs nothing.”
13. Success and Achievement Quotes by Maya Angelou
- “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”
- “You can only become truly accomplished at something you love.”
- “Pursue the things you love doing, and do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off you.”
- “All great achievements require time.”
- “Ask for what you want and be prepared to get it.”
- “Nothing will work unless you do.”
- “I work very hard, and I play very hard.”
- “Success is living life on your own terms.”
- “The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious.”
- “Determine to live life with flair and laughter.”
- “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”
- “I sustain myself with the love of family.”
- “Be a blessing to somebody.”
- “The ache for home lives in all of us.”
- “Stand up straight and realize who you are.”
- “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive.”
- “Do the best you can until you know better.”
- “When you know better, do better.”
- “Success means surviving with dignity.”
- “I respect myself and insist upon it from everybody.”
- “Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel.”
- “Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host.”
- “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly.”
- “You alone are enough.”
- “Each time a woman stands up for herself, she stands up for all women.”
14. Creativity and Expression in Maya Angelou’s Words
- “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”
- “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
- “I’ve learned that making a living is not the same as making a life.”
- “Poetry is music written for the human voice.”
- “Writing and reading are to me synonymous with existing.”
- “The idea is to write it so that people hear it and it slides through the brain and goes straight to the heart.”
- “Words mean more than what is set down on paper.”
- “Express yourself fearlessly.”
- “Everything in the universe has rhythm. Everything dances.”
- “Seek patience and passion in equal amounts.”
- “Art speaks where words are unable to explain.”
- “A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.”
- “If you’re always trying to be normal, you’ll never know how amazing you can be.”
- “Each person deserves a day away…”
- “Love liberates. It doesn’t bind.”
- “Creative work is not a selfish act.”
- “My life has been long and believing.”
- “The courage to create is the courage to live.”
- “Let nothing dim your creative spark.”
- “Be present in all things and thankful for all things.”
- “I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels.”
- “Tell the truth, but tell it slant.”
- “Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainty.”
- “I write to discover what I know.”
- “Transform your passion into purpose.”
15. Identity and Selfhood Quotes
- “I am a woman. Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, that’s me.”
- “You alone are enough.”
- “Stand up straight and realize who you are.”
- “Be who you are and say what you feel.”
- “I come as one, but I stand as ten thousand.”
- “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.”
- “If you don’t like something, change it.”
- “If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”
- “You are only free when you realize you belong no place — you belong every place — no place at all.”
- “Determine to live life with flair and laughter.”
- “I respect myself and insist upon it from everybody.”
- “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said…”
- “I have enough of life in me to make someone else happy.”
- “I sustain myself with the love of family.”
- “Be proud of who you are.”
- “You can’t use up your self-worth.”
- “A wise woman refuses to be anyone’s victim.”
- “Bitterness is like cancer…”
- “We are more alike than we are unalike.”
- “I am grateful to be a woman.”
- “You can’t really know where you are going until you know where you have been.”
- “My mission is not merely to survive but to thrive.”
- “Success is liking yourself…”
- “Phenomenal woman — that’s me.”
- “Self-worth comes from within.”
16. Civil Rights and Justice Quotes
- “We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike.”
- “Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future, and renders the present inaccessible.”
- “Each time a woman stands up for herself, she stands up for all women.”
- “Love recognizes no barriers.”
- “We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.”
- “History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived…”
- “You may not control all the events that happen to you…”
- “Hate has caused a lot of problems in the world, but it has not solved one yet.”
- “Bitterness is like cancer.”
- “Still I rise.”
- “Ask for what you want and be prepared to get it.”
- “I come as one but stand as ten thousand.”
- “Nothing will work unless you do.”
- “You alone are enough.”
- “You can’t use up creativity…”
- “Love heals. Heals and liberates.”
- “I respect myself and insist upon it…”
- “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly…”
- “Phenomenal woman — that’s me.”
- “When someone shows you who they are…”
- “I know why the caged bird sings.”
- “Continue to be who you are…”
- “Treat others with dignity.”
- “Let gratitude be your foundation.”
- “Hope and justice can coexist.”
17. Quotes on Emotions and Human Feelings
- “People will never forget how you made them feel.”
- “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story.”
- “Let nothing dim the light that shines from within.”
- “When you know better, do better.”
- “Love liberates.”
- “You may shoot me with your words… but still, I’ll rise.”
- “I can be changed by what happens to me…”
- “Love heals and liberates.”
- “If you find it in your heart to care…”
- “Love is that condition in the human spirit…”
- “I come as one but stand as ten thousand.”
- “My life has been long and believing.”
- “Success is liking yourself…”
- “Ask for what you want…”
- “Emotions make us human.”
- “Bitterness is like cancer.”
- “Let your feelings guide your passion.”
- “I respect myself and insist upon it…”
- “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly…”
- “Be a blessing to somebody.”
- “I am enough.”
- “Stand up straight and realize who you are.”
- “Love costs all we are…”
- “Speak truth from the heart.”
- “Love is liberating, not binding.”
18. Quotes for Legacy and Memory
- “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said… but never how you made them feel.”
- “I know why the caged bird sings.”
- “My legacy is love.”
- “Love liberates.”
- “When I leave this world, let me leave behind light.”
- “Still, like air, I’ll rise.”
- “Nothing can dim the light…”
- “Success is making life meaningful.”
- “Write your legacy in acts of kindness.”
- “I sustain myself with the love of family.”
- “Stand up straight and realize who you are.”
- “History cannot be unlived.”
- “Tell the truth…”
- “Let gratitude be your foundation.”
- “Be a blessing to somebody.”
- “Transform memory into meaning.”
- “Leave light behind.”
- “Speak your truth.”
- “Let your life speak.”
- “Carry wisdom forward.”
- “Inspire those who come after you.”
- “Let your story empower others.”
- “Lift as you climb.”
- “Teach what you’ve learned.”
- “Let your legacy echo with love.”
19. Celebrating Womanhood and Feminism
- “Phenomenal woman — that’s me.”
- “I am grateful to be a woman.”
- “Each time a woman stands up for herself…”
- “A wise woman refuses to be anyone’s victim.”
- “You alone are enough.”
- “I come as one, but stand as ten thousand.”
- “Stand up straight and realize who you are.”
- “Love liberates.”
- “Determine to live life with flair and laughter.”
- “Let nothing dim the light…”
- “I am a Woman. Phenomenally.”
- “Ask for what you want…”
- “Speak your truth.”
- “Be proud of your journey.”
- “Feminine strength is boundless.”
- “Empowerment begins within.”
- “Courage is the most important of all the virtues.”
- “Be bold, be fearless.”
- “You can’t use up creativity…”
- “Celebrate your voice.”
- “Leave behind doubt.”
- “Write your story.”
- “Let your presence speak.”
- “Transform adversity into advocacy.”
- “Be the woman you were born to be.”
20. Best Maya Angelou Quotes for Every Instagram Mood
- “Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”
- “Nothing will work unless you do.”
- “Phenomenal woman — that’s me.”
- “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”
- “You alone are enough.”
- “Ask for what you want and be prepared to get it.”
- “If you don’t like something, change it.”
- “Still, like air, I’ll rise.”
- “I know why the caged bird sings.”
- “Love liberates.”
- “Be a blessing to somebody.”
- “We are more alike than we are unalike.”
- “Success is liking what you do.”
- “Let nothing dim your light.”
- “Everything in the universe has rhythm.”
- “I come as one, but I stand as ten thousand.”
- “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly…”
- “People will forget what you said…”
- “Forgiveness is a gift to yourself.”
- “Each of us has that right to reinvent ourselves.”
- “History cannot be unlived.”
- “The desire to reach for the stars…”
- “Celebrate your journey.”
- “Life is pure adventure.”
- “Continue to be who you are.”
Conclusion
Maya Angelou’s words carry immense power, empathy, and wisdom that transcend generations and platforms. Her expressive and autobiographical style has impacted millions around the world—making her quotes ideal for reflecting life’s challenges, victories, emotions, and transformations.
Whether you need a caption that empowers, uplifts, or connects with your followers, this curated list of Maya Angelou quotes for Instagram in 2025 is your go-to guide. Let her legacy continue to shine through your posts.
FAQs
Q1. Why are Maya Angelou quotes perfect for Instagram?
A: Maya Angelou’s quotes are poetic, profound, and relatable—making them ideal for Instagram captions that inspire and engage.
Q2. Can I use Maya Angelou quotes for motivational content?
A: Absolutely. Her quotes cover topics like resilience, self-worth, courage, and empowerment—perfect for motivational themes.
Q3. What are Maya Angelou’s most famous quotes?
A: “Still I Rise,” “Nothing will work unless you do,” and “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time” are among her most quoted lines.
Q4. Can I use these quotes for educational or podcast content?
A: Yes, her quotes add immense value to educational blogs, podcast scripts, presentations, and public speaking.
Q5. Are these quotes suitable for all age groups?
A: Definitely. Maya Angelou’s universal themes of love, wisdom, and human dignity resonate with audiences of all ages.