Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better. — Maya Angelou
—What lingers after this line?
Personal Growth
This quote emphasizes the importance of continuous self-improvement. It suggests that striving to do your best at any given moment, based on your current knowledge and abilities, is crucial. Once you gain more knowledge and experience, you should use it to improve further.
Learning and Adaptation
It highlights the necessity of being open to learning and adapting. When you acquire new insights or skills, it's essential to apply them and enhance your actions and decisions accordingly.
Humility and Self-Compassion
The quote encourages humility and self-compassion. It acknowledges that everyone starts from a place of limited knowledge and can grow over time. There's no shame in making mistakes, as long as you're willing to learn from them and make improvements.
Responsibility and Accountability
It underscores a sense of responsibility and accountability. Knowing better brings with it the responsibility to do better. This means taking accountability for your actions and continuously striving to uphold higher standards.
Historical Context
Maya Angelou was an American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist. Her works often dealt with themes of identity, family, and resilience. This quote reflects her belief in the power of education, experience, and continual self-improvement.
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One-minute reflection
What's one small action this suggests?
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