--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Maya Angelou observed you cant use up…" description: "\"Maya Angelou observed you cant use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have. Sadly,too often creativity is smothered rather than nurtured. Th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b02/john-c-maxwell-113_angelou_maya-angelou-observed-you-cant-use-up-cr_824097.jpg" --- # Maya Angelou observed you cant use up creativity. The more… ![“Maya Angelou observed you cant use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have. Sadly,too often creativity is smothered rather than nurtured. There has to be climate in which new ways of thinking,perceiving, questioning are encouraged.” quote by John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b02/john-c-maxwell-113_angelou_maya-angelou-observed-you-cant-use-up-cr_824097.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b02/john-c-maxwell-113_angelou_maya-angelou-observed-you-cant-use-up-cr_824097.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b02/john-c-maxwell-113_angelou_maya-angelou-observed-you-cant-use-up-cr_824097.jpg) > “Maya Angelou observed you cant use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have. Sadly,too often creativity is smothered rather than nurtured. There has to be climate in which new ways of thinking,perceiving, questioning are encouraged.” [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Creativity expands with use; fostering an encouraging environment nurtures innovative thinking. **In simple terms:** Use creativity, it grows. Key Takeaway Cultivate supportive climates for ideas. Themes creativity growth environment Mood optimistic encouraging Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - workshops - team brainstorming - educational curricula - artistic practice Key Concepts psychology innovation Questions to Reflect On - How can you create a nurturing space? - What habits sustain creative flow? A Different Perspective Neglecting support can stifle ideas. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/angelou/) [Climate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climate/) [Creativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creativity/) [Creativity Smothered](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creativity-smothered-498571/) [Creativity Use](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creativity-use-498569/) [Maya angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/maya-angelou/) [Questioning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/questioning/) [Sadly Creativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sadly-creativity-498572/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Use](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use/) [Use Creativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use-creativity-498570/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have. As quoted in Conversations with Maya Angelou (1989)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/by-jeffrey-m-elliot/you-can-t-use-up-creativity-the-more-you-use-the-more-you-have-as/) [by Jeffrey M. Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/by-jeffrey-m-elliot/) > [You can't use up creativity, creative thinking builds on itself and increases the creativity of the thinker...You can't use up creativity. The more you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/you-can-t-use-up-creativity-creative-thinking-builds-on-itself-and/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/you-can-t-use-up-creativity-the-more-you-use-the-more-you-have/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Creativity or talent, like electricity, is something I don’t understand but something I’m able to harness and use. While electricity remains a mystery, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/creativity-or-talent-like-electricity-is-something-i-don-t-understand-2/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Thank you so much for supporting me from the day I stepped foot into the music industry. It really means something to me to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-j-blige/thank-you-so-much-for-supporting-me-from-the-day-i-stepped-foot-into/) [Mary J. Blige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-j-blige/) > [From Maya Angelou I began to believe that I, too, someday, could be a writer, and I also learned how tortuous it can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dirk-benedict/from-maya-angelou-i-began-to-believe-that-i-too-someday-could-be-a/) [Dirk Benedict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dirk-benedict/) > [I love "Phenomenal Woman." The experiences she had of being African American in the U.S. - that itself is a task. I appreciate the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serena-williams/i-love-phenomenal-woman-the-experiences-she-had-of-being-african/) [Serena Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serena-williams/) > [When people tell you who they are, Maya Angelou famously advised, believe them. Just as importantly, however, when people try to tell you who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-popova/when-people-tell-you-who-they-are-maya-angelou-famously-advised/) [Maria Popova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-popova/) > [I've learned to rely on the strength I inherited from all those who came before me-the grandmothers, sisters, aunts, and brothers who were tested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/i-ve-learned-to-rely-on-the-strength-i-inherited-from-all-those-who-2/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [You did the best you could, the best you knew how at the time." It was something like that. From Oprah on an Oprah…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/you-did-the-best-you-could-the-best-you-knew-how-at-the-time-it-was/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [When you learn, teach. When you get, give. Maya Angelou taught me that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/when-you-learn-teach-when-you-get-give-maya-angelou-taught-me-that/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [I am an English major in school with an emphasis in creative writing. I think hearing Maya Angelou speak at school last year was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-savage/i-am-an-english-major-in-school-with-an-emphasis-in-creative-writing/) [Fred Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-savage/) > [Of course, there are those critics - New York critics as a rule - who say, 'Well, Maya Angelou has a new book out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/of-course-there-are-those-critics-new-york-critics-as-a-rule-who-say/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [What stands out to me most about Maya Angelou is not what she has done or written or spoken; it's how she lived her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/what-stands-out-to-me-most-about-maya-angelou-is-not-what-she-has/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [Imagine what our culture would be like if Americans sold ideas, words, and books with the same creativity we use to sell designer jeans,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-trelease/imagine-what-our-culture-would-be-like-if-americans-sold-ideas-words/) [Jim Trelease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-trelease/) ## More by John C. Maxwell > [“Why do so many people do nothing? I think it’s because most of us look at the evils and injustice around us, and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/why-do-so-many-people-do-nothing-i-think-it-s-because-most-of-us-look/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [You cannot have growth without change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/you-cannot-have-growth-without-change/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/change-is-inevitable-growth-is-optional/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Goals not only help you develop initial motivation by making your dreams obtainable, but they also help you continue to be motivated and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/goals-not-only-help-you-develop-initial-motivation-by-making-your/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Vision is a picture of a desired future; a picture of something that I don't possess right now, but it is something I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/vision-is-a-picture-of-a-desired-future-a-picture-of-something-that-i/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [If you want to make your mother happy, talk to her. If you want to make your father happy, listen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/if-you-want-to-make-your-mother-happy-talk-to-her-if-you-want-to-make/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Experiences isn't the best teacher - evaluated experience is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/experiences-isn-t-the-best-teacher-evaluated-experience-is/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [A big man is one who makes us feel bigger when we are with him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-big-man-is-one-who-makes-us-feel-bigger-when-we-are-with-him/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Passion gives you an advantage over others, because one person with passion is greater than ninety-nine who have only an interest!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/passion-gives-you-an-advantage-over-others-because-one-person-with/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [I thought if I was open and honest, it would help the reader to get open and honest, and they also would realize sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/i-thought-if-i-was-open-and-honest-it-would-help-the-reader-to-get/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [A person who has a dream knows what he is willing to give up in order to go up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-person-who-has-a-dream-knows-what-he-is-willing-to-give-up-in-order/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [The bottom line on attitude is that a good one helps to increase your possibilities. Pessimists usually get what they expect. So do optimists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/the-bottom-line-on-attitude-is-that-a-good-one-helps-to-increase-your/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Working together precedes winning together...collaboration is multiplication.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/working-together-precedes-winning-together-collaboration-is/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Leaders don't rise to the pinnacle of success without developing the right set of attitudes and habits; they make every day a masterpiece.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/leaders-don-t-rise-to-the-pinnacle-of-success-without-developing-the/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Your leadership skills determine the level of your success, and the success of those who work around you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/your-leadership-skills-determine-the-level-of-your-success-and-the/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) [Explore all 1,233 John C. Maxwell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) ## More Angelou quotes > [Thank you so much for supporting me from the day I stepped foot into the music industry. It really means something to me to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-j-blige/thank-you-so-much-for-supporting-me-from-the-day-i-stepped-foot-into/) [Mary J. Blige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-j-blige/) > [Of course, there are those critics - New York critics as a rule - who say, 'Well, Maya Angelou has a new book out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/of-course-there-are-those-critics-new-york-critics-as-a-rule-who-say/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [I thought, "why don't we be innovative and create something nobody had ever done before?" It was a huge hit and we immediately did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-louis-gates/i-thought-why-don-t-we-be-innovative-and-create-something-nobody-had/) [Henry Louis Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-louis-gates/) > [I am an English major in school with an emphasis in creative writing. I think hearing Maya Angelou speak at school last year was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-savage/i-am-an-english-major-in-school-with-an-emphasis-in-creative-writing/) [Fred Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-savage/) > [When you learn, teach. When you get, give. Maya Angelou taught me that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/when-you-learn-teach-when-you-get-give-maya-angelou-taught-me-that/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [You did the best you could, the best you knew how at the time." It was something like that. From Oprah on an Oprah…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/you-did-the-best-you-could-the-best-you-knew-how-at-the-time-it-was/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [I've learned to rely on the strength I inherited from all those who came before me-the grandmothers, sisters, aunts, and brothers who were tested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/i-ve-learned-to-rely-on-the-strength-i-inherited-from-all-those-who-2/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [“Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with the shades of deeper meaning.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/words-mean-more-than-what-is-set-down-on-paper-it-takes-the-human-2/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [I go to a hotel and try to get there by 5:30 in the morning. I keep a dictionary, a thesaurus, a bible, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/i-go-to-a-hotel-and-try-to-get-there-by-5-30-in-the-morning-i-keep-a/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [When people tell you who they are, Maya Angelou famously advised, believe them. Just as importantly, however, when people try to tell you who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-popova/when-people-tell-you-who-they-are-maya-angelou-famously-advised/) [Maria Popova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-popova/) > [I love "Phenomenal Woman." The experiences she had of being African American in the U.S. - that itself is a task. I appreciate the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serena-williams/i-love-phenomenal-woman-the-experiences-she-had-of-being-african/) [Serena Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serena-williams/) > [From Maya Angelou I began to believe that I, too, someday, could be a writer, and I also learned how tortuous it can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dirk-benedict/from-maya-angelou-i-began-to-believe-that-i-too-someday-could-be-a/) [Dirk Benedict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dirk-benedict/) > [What stands out to me most about Maya Angelou is not what she has done or written or spoken; it's how she lived her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/what-stands-out-to-me-most-about-maya-angelou-is-not-what-she-has/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) [Browse all 14 Angelou quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/angelou/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Maya Angelou observed you cant use up creativity. 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