Famous Quotes

Quotes by Nelson Mandela

• 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.