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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 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

All Quotes by Nelson Mandela

“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

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

— Nelson Mandela

Change

“Where globalization means, as it so often does, that the rich and powerful now have new means to further enrich and empower themselves at the cost of the poorer and weaker, we have a responsibility to protest in the name of universal freedom.”

— Nelson Mandela

Freedom

“Forget the past.”

— Nelson Mandela

Movingon

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

— Nelson Mandela

Great

“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 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

“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 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 the United States of America or Britain is having elections, they don't ask for observers from Africa or from Asia. But when we have elections, they want observers.”

— Nelson Mandela

Politics

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

— Nelson Mandela

Time

“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

“Nonviolence is a good policy when the conditions permit.”

— Nelson Mandela

Good

“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

“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

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

— Nelson Mandela

Freedom

“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

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

— Nelson Mandela

Men

“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

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

— Nelson Mandela

Society