"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style."

Action
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Insight & Reflection

The theme of action is universal, yet Maya Angelou manages to capture its essence in a uniquely profound way. Taking a moment to internalize this can shift our mindset, reminding us that our perspective on action often shapes our reality.

About Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou was an American memoirist, essayist, poet, and civil rights activist. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning more than 50 years. She received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees. Angelou's series of seven autobiographies focus on her childhood and early adult experiences. The first, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969), tells of her life up to the age of 17 and brought her international recognition and acclaim.

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Editorial Note: This quote is curated and fact-checked by the Quotes Archive Editorial Team. Verified Literature Specialist.

More by Maya Angelou

"It is a humble truth that a visionary sees the unseen possibilities in the heart of common struggles — an essential principle for the reflective life."

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"Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him."

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More about Action

"Books are but waste paper unless we spend in action the wisdom we get from thought - asleep. When we are weary of the living, we may repair to the dead, who have nothing of peevishness, pride, or design in their conversation."

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"I would love to be associated with some sports organization. I was a journalism major. That's kind of intriguing, to do something in the political-commentary arena."

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"It's not that I'm universally loved. We know I'm not in New Jersey. But what they do say in New Jersey is, 'We like him, and we think he's telling us the truth.' I think we need to have that type of politics on the national level."

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