By subscribing to Inspiring Quotes you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
The poet Maya Angelou was 8 years old when she suffered a trauma that left her ashamed of her own voice, and caused her to go mute for nearly five years. “I thought I would never speak again,” she recalled years later. For her, the process of self-forgiveness was a process of recognizing the power of her own voice. Finding her voice saved her — and continued to save her. “All these 60-odd years later,” she said in 2010, “if I am really shaken, I stop speaking — and I, then, bring myself out. I start. I sing. I speak. I speak loudly and firmly. Recite Poe and Shakespeare and James Weldon Johnson, and all, and all, and do it.”

Add a Dash of Laughter to Your Day With These Cooking Quotes

The Oldest Jokes in History

14 Quotes Guaranteed To Make You Crave Chocolate

13 Motivating Quotes for When You’re Feeling Overwhelmed

14 Beautifully Poetic Quotes From William Blake

14 Reminders That You’re Loved, for Anyone Who Feels Lonely

Quotes About How Passion Can Improve Your Life

Quotes To Help You Live a More Spontaneous Life

Create the Life You Desire With These 14 Transformative Quotes

12 of the All-Time Greatest Zingers

Quotes for Anyone Who Struggles With Patience