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Nelson Mandela

46 quotes

Nelson Mandela (1918–2013) was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and political leader who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. After 27 years of imprisonment, Mandela led his country's transition from apartheid to democracy with remarkable grace and a commitment to reconciliation that earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

— Nelson Mandela

Courage

All Quotes by Nelson Mandela

“There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”

— Nelson Mandela

Life

“I have retired, but if there's anything that would kill me it is to wake up in the morning not knowing what to do.”

— Nelson Mandela

Morning

“Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another.”

— Nelson Mandela

Experience

“I should tie myself to no particular system of society other than of socialism.”

— Nelson Mandela

Society

“I am confident that nobody... will accuse me of selfishness if I ask to spend time, while I am still in good health, with my family, my friends and also with myself.”

— Nelson Mandela

Family

“I do not deny that I planned sabotage. I did not plan it in a spirit of recklessness nor because I have any love of violence. I planned it as a result of a calm and sober assessment of the political situation that had arisen after many years of tyranny, exploitation and oppression of my people by the whites.”

— Nelson Mandela

Love

“Let freedom reign. The sun never set on so glorious a human achievement.”

— Nelson Mandela

Freedom

“For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”

— Nelson Mandela

Freedom

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

— Nelson Mandela

Change

“Communists have always played an active role in the fight by colonial countries for their freedom, because the short-term objects of Communism would always correspond with the long-term objects of freedom movements.”

— Nelson Mandela

Freedom

“I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.”

— Nelson Mandela

Society

“Our single most important challenge is therefore to help establish a social order in which the freedom of the individual will truly mean the freedom of the individual.”

— Nelson Mandela

Freedom

“Forget the past.”

— Nelson Mandela

Movingon

“Money won't create success, the freedom to make it will.”

— Nelson Mandela

Freedom

“I started to make a study of the art of war and revolution and, whilst abroad, underwent a course in military training. If there was to be guerrilla warfare, I wanted to be able to stand and fight with my people and to share the hazards of war with them.”

— Nelson Mandela

Art

“Before I went to jail, I was active in politics as a member of South Africa's leading organization - and I was generally busy from 7 A.M. until midnight. I never had time to sit and think.”

— Nelson Mandela

Politics

“I really wanted to retire and rest and spend more time with my children, my grandchildren and of course with my wife.”

— Nelson Mandela

Time

“Intervention only works when the people concerned seem to be keen for peace.”

— Nelson Mandela

Peace

“We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.”

— Nelson Mandela

Time

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

— Nelson Mandela

Courage