Famous Quotes

Quotes by Nelson Mandela

• A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.
• A good leader can engage in a debate frankly and thoroughly, knowing that at the end he and the other side must be closer, and thus emerge stronger. You don't have that idea when you are arrogant, superficial, and uninformed.
• After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.
• 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.
• 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.
• Courageous people do not fear forgiving, for the sake of peace.
• 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?
• Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
• 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.
• Forget the past.
• Give a child love, laughter and peace, not AIDS.
• 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.
• 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.
• I dream of an Africa which is in peace with itself.
• 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.
• I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• I really wanted to retire and rest and spend more time with my children, my grandchildren and of course with my wife.
• I should tie myself to no particular system of society other than of socialism.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.
• Intervention only works when the people concerned seem to be keen for peace.
• 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.
• Let freedom reign. The sun never set on so glorious a human achievement.
• Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all.
• Money won't create success, the freedom to make it will.
• Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another.
• Nonviolence is a good policy when the conditions permit.
• Only free men can negotiate prisoners cannot enter into contracts. Your freedom and mine cannot be separated.