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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.

“Courageous people do not fear forgiving, for the sake of peace.”

— Nelson Mandela

Fear

All Quotes by Nelson Mandela

“There is nothing I fear more than waking up without a program that will help me bring a little happiness to those with no resources, those who are poor, illiterate, and ridden with terminal disease.”

— Nelson Mandela

Fear

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

— Nelson Mandela

Peace

“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”

— Nelson Mandela

Wisdom

“If there are dreams about a beautiful South Africa, there are also roads that lead to their goal. Two of these roads could be named Goodness and Forgiveness.”

— Nelson Mandela

Dreams

“Does anybody really think that they didn't get what they had because they didn't have the talent or the strength or the endurance or the commitment?”

— Nelson Mandela

Strength

“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

“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

“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

“I made a mistake by being ejected from the presidency. Next time, I will choose a Cabinet which will allow me to be life President.”

— Nelson Mandela

Life

“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

“If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.”

— Nelson Mandela

Peace

“A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.”

— Nelson Mandela

Good

“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

“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 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

“It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership.”

— Nelson Mandela

Leadership

“After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.”

— Nelson Mandela

Great

“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 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

“There is no such thing as part freedom.”

— Nelson Mandela

Freedom