Get All Access for $5/mo

10 Inspirational Quotes From Literary Legend Maya Angelou Having suffered from heart problems for some time, Angelou passed away at her home in Winston-Salem, N.C., this morning at age 86.

By Geoff Weiss

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

The world has bid goodbye today to Maya Angelou, 86, whose autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings led her to become one of the most influential voices in contemporary literature.

Throughout her storied career, Angelou also delivered the inaugural poem for Bill Clinton in 1993 (both grew up in rural Arkansas) and counted among her luminous friends and colleagues Dr. Martin Luther King and Oprah Winfrey.

In celebration of Angelou's groundbreaking achievements in fields as varied as poetry, education and civil rights activism, here's a look back at some of her most poignant remarks over the years:

Related: Steve Jobs' 13 Most Inspiring Quotes

1. "I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage and tangled Christmas tree lights."

2. "You shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back."

3. "Nothing will work unless you do."

4. "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

5. "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you."

6. "I've learned that making a "living' is not the same thing as making a "life.'"

Related: 10 Inspirational Quotes from Navy SEAL Training

7. "Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends."

8. "Never make someone a priority when all you are to them is an option."

9. "To grow up is to stop putting blame on parents."

10. "You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don't make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and then do them so well that people can't take their eyes off you."

Related: As Mark Zuckerberg Turns 30, His 10 Best Quotes as CEO

Geoff Weiss

Former Staff Writer

Geoff Weiss is a former staff writer at Entrepreneur.com.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

The Side Hustle He Started in His College Apartment Turned Into a $70,000-a-Month Income Stream — Then Earned Nearly $2 Million Last Year

Kyle Morrand and his college roommates loved playing retro video games — and the pastime would help launch his career.

Business News

New Southwest Airlines Major Investor Wants to Force Out CEO, Slams Company's 'Stubborn Unwillingness to Evolve'

Elliot Investment Management announced a $1.9 billion stake in the Dallas-based Southwest Airlines on Monday and is urging shareholders to vote for new leadership.

Science & Technology

Why We Shouldn't Fear AI in Education (and How to Use It Effectively)

Facing resistance to new technologies in the educational process is nothing new, and AI is no exception. Yet, this powerful tool is set to overcome these challenges and revolutionize education, preparing students and professionals for a future of unparalleled efficiency and personalized learning.

Business News

Elon Musk Threatens to Ban Employees from Using Apple Products, Says Will Lock Devices in 'Cages'

The Tesla founder sounded off on X following Apple's 2024 Worldwide Developer Conference on Monday.

Business News

Apple's AI Has a Catch — And It Could Help Boost Sales

Not every iPhone owner will get to use the new Apple Intelligence.