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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.

“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

All Quotes by Nelson Mandela

“I dream of the realization of the unity of Africa, whereby its leaders combine in their efforts to solve the problems of this continent. I dream of our vast deserts, of our forests, of all our great wildernesses.”

— Nelson Mandela

Great

“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

“Our human compassion binds us the one to the other - not in pity or patronizingly, but as human beings who have learnt how to turn our common suffering into hope for the future.”

— Nelson Mandela

Future

“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

“There are many people who feel that it is useless and futile to continue talking about peace and non-violence against a government whose only reply is savage attacks on an unarmed and defenceless people.”

— Nelson Mandela

Government

“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

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

— Nelson Mandela

Change

“Forget the past.”

— Nelson Mandela

Movingon

“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

“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

“There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children.”

— Nelson Mandela

Society

“Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all.”

— Nelson Mandela

Peace

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

— Nelson Mandela

Fear

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

— Nelson Mandela

Peace

“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 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

“Only free men can negotiate. A prisoner cannot enter into contracts.”

— Nelson Mandela

Men

“Give a child love, laughter and peace, not AIDS.”

— Nelson Mandela

Love

“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

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

— Nelson Mandela

Experience