Oprah:How do you remain connected to those who came before you?
Maya:I have the blessing of seeing our connection and the courage to admit what I see. Timidity makes a person modest. It makes him or her say, "I'm not worthy of being written up in the record of deeds in heaven or on earth." Timidity keeps people from their good. They are afraid to say, "Yes, I deserve it."
Oprah:I know you don't believe in modesty.
Maya:I hate it. It makes me wary. Modesty is a learned affectation. And as soon as life slams the modest person against the wall, that modesty drops.
Oprah:So when you hear someone being modest....
Maya:I run like hell. The minute you say to a singer, "Would you sing?" and they say, "Oh, no. I can't sing here," I say, "Oops! I wonder, where is that train to Bangkok?"
Oprah:Because?
Maya:Because that person is not reliable. She may not know it, but modesty speaks volumes about falseness.
wary