# Quote — Maya Angelou, And Still I Rise

> You were a precious pearl
>
> How I loved to see you shine,
>
> You were the perfect girl.
>
> And you were mine.
>
> For a time.
>
> For a time.
>
> Just for a time.

- Author: [Maya Angelou](https://www.leafyquotes.com/maya-angelou.md)
- Book: [And Still I Rise](https://www.leafyquotes.com/maya-angelou/and-still-i-rise.md)
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Maya_Angelou#And_Still_I_Rise_(1978)) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/maya-angelou/and-still-i-rise/you-were-a-precious

## More from this book

> Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
>
> I rise
>
> Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
>
> I rise
>
> Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
>
> I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
>
> I rise
>
> I rise
>
> I rise.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/maya-angelou/and-still-i-rise/leaving-behind-nights.md)

> Does my sexiness upset you?
>
> Does it come as a surprise
>
> That I dance like I've got diamonds
>
> At the meeting of my thighs?

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/maya-angelou/and-still-i-rise/does-my-sexiness.md)

> You may shoot me with your words,
>
> You may cut me with your eyes,
>
> You may kill me with your hatefulness,
>
> But still, like air, I'll rise.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/maya-angelou/and-still-i-rise/you-may-shoot.md)