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Quote by Maya Angelou

Work

Singin' and Swingin' and Gettin' Merry Like Christmas

This book is a compilation of festive songs and tales that celebrate the joy and warmth of the Christmas season, capturing the essence of the holiday spirit through both musical and literary means. more

Author

Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou was an American author, poet, playwright, actress, and lecturer, known for her profound exploration of race, gender, and culture in her work. Her autobiographical works, including 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,' which detailed her early life of poverty and sexual exploitation, have gained widespread acclaim. more

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“Kali was extremely lucky to have lived as long as she did. Most octopuses die as paralarvae. Only two in 100,000 hatchlings survive to sexual maturity-otherwise the sea would be overrun with octopuses. "And at least we know she had a good last day, " I said. "Yes," said Wilson. "She had a day of freedom. And that she got out tells you a phenomenally inquisitive and intelligent creature wanted her freedom. We know, clearly, it must have taken a lot of effort to get out. A stupid animal wouldn't do that." "She died like a great explorer," I said. Like the astronauts who died blasting off in Challenger, or the brave men who perished in attempts to find the source of the Nile, penetrate the Amazon, visit the poles, Kali had chosen to face unknown dangers in the quest to widen the horizons of her world.”

“It is only against the big waves that he is required to use all his skill, all his courage and concentration to overcome; only then can he realize the true limits of his capacities. At that point he often attains his peak. In other words, the more challenging the obstacle he faces, the greater the opportunity for the surfer to discover and extend his true potential. The potential may have always been within him, but until it is manifested in action, it remains a secret hidden from himself. The obstacles are a very necessary ingredient to this process of self-discovery. Note that the surfer in this example is not out to prove himself; he is not out to show himself or the world how great he is, but is simply involved in the exploration of his latent capacities. He directly and intimately experiences his own resources and thereby increases his self-knowledge.”

“Humans Are Defined (The Sonnet) Vegetables are defined, By the comfort they crave, Humans are defined, By the obstacles they brave. Absence of obstacles, Is not a sign of achievement. Absence of obstacles, Indicates a lack of movement. Even the mountains bow, But not for self-absorbed snobs. Oceans part making way, Only for those not afraid of storms. Awake, arise o soldier of valiance and valor. Sleep not, slacken not, the world is in your care.”