Always seeking acceptance from others, searching for belonging. Striving for individuality, yet wanting to fit in. Never understanding that acceptance for one’s own individuality make all of that redundant.
All endeavor calls for the ability to tramp the last mile, shape the last plan, endure the last hours toil. The fight to the finish spirit is the one… characteristic we must posses if we are to face the future as finishers.
If you hold a cat by the tail you learn things you cannot learn any other way.
It cannot in the opinion of His Majesty’s Government be classified as slavery in the extreme acceptance of the word without some risk of terminological inexactitude.
You see things; and you say Why? But I dream things that never were; and I say Why not?
At one point, I was just perceived as only being angry, but now I’m being perceived as angry, peaceful, and spiritual.
finally know what distinguishes man from other beasts: financial worries.
I dont think members of the royal family sign prenuptial agreements
Get a black suit and just freeload, problem it’s too God damned late now even to be any of the things I never wanted to be.
This is the true joy in life: Being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one, being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it what I can. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.
(While accepting the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for Good Will Hunting) Most of all, I want to thank my father, up there, the man who when I said I wanted to be an actor, he said, ‘Wonderful. Just have a back-up profession like welding.’
No man’s fortune can be an end worthy of his being.
When I was in high school I asked myself at one point: Why do I care if my high school’s team wins the football game? I don’t know anybody on the team, they have nothing to do with me… why am I here and applaud? It does not make any sense. But the point is, it does make sense: It’s a way of building up irrational attitudes of submission to authority and group cohesion behind leadership elements. In fact it’s training in irrational jingoism. That’s also a feature of competitive sports.
There’s nothing written in the Bible, Old or New testament, that says, If you believe in Me, you ain’t going to have no troubles.
Upon retiring, sleep as if you had entered your last sleep. Upon awakening, leave your bed behind you instantly as if you had cast away a pair of old shoes.
My music is Jazz.
Some critics will write ‘Maya Angelou is a natural writer’ – which is right after being a natural heart surgeon.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Children sweeten labours, but they make misfortunes more bitter.
What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say
When I started, I never gave any thought whatsoever to what I would be doing when I was 70.
