"You see, baby, you have to protect yourself. If you don't protect yourself, you look like a fool asking somebody else to protect you." This emphasizes the importance of self-reliance and personal responsibility in safeguarding one's well-being.
"I thought about that for a second. She was right. A woman needs to support herself before she asks anyone else to support her." Maya Angelou highlights the value of independence and self-sufficiency for women, encouraging them to first establish their own strength and stability.