People Quote by Maya Angelou
“I think we have systematically and critically harmed ourselves and many young people by advising them not to try things.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on Education, 1990s
Encouraging risk‑avoidance can stunt personal growth and societal innovation, especially among youth.
In simple terms: Avoiding challenges harms development.
Encourage trying new experiences.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- school policies
- parenting advice
- career counseling
- entrepreneurship
- mental health
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What risks have you avoided that could benefit you?
- How can we balance safety with exploration?
Overemphasis on safety may lead to missed opportunities and fear of failure.