Nelson Mandela Quotes
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I really wanted to retire and rest and spend more time with my children, my grandchildren and of course with my wife. But the problems are such that for anybody with a conscience who can use whatever influence he may have to try to bring about peace, it's difficult to say no.
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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.
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There is nothing like a fixed, steady aim, with an honorable purpose. It dignifies your nature, and insures your success.
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In Africa there is a concept known as 'ubuntu' - the profound sense that we are human only through the humanity of others; that if we are to accomplish anything in this world it will in equal measure be due to the work and achievement of others.
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The power of imagination created the illusion that my vision went much farther than the naked eye could actually see.
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The anchor of all my dreams is the collective wisdom of mankind as a whole.
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Running taught me valuable lessons. In cross-country competition, training counted more than intrinsic ability, and I could compensate for a lack of natural aptitude with diligence and discipline. I applied this in everything I did.
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In the 21st Century, the capacity to communicate will almost certainly be a key human right.
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We don't have to be victims of our past, that we can let go of our bitterness, and that all of us can achieve greatness.
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One of the things I learned when I was negotiating was that until I changed myself, I could not change others.
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True reconciliation does not consist in merely forgetting the past.
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The Commonwealth makes the world safe for diversity
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This must be a world of democracy and respect for human rights, a world freed from the horrors of poverty, hunger, deprivation and ignorance, relieved of the threat and the scourge of civil wars and external aggression and unburdened of the great tragedy of millions forced to become refugees.
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I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come.
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Honesty,sincer ity,simplicity, humility, pure generosity,abse nce of vanity,readines s to serve others -qualities which are within easy reach of every soul -are the foundation of one's spiritual life.
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Abject poverty is demeaning, is an assault on the dignity of those that suffer it. In the end it demeans us all. It makes the freedom of all of us less meaningful.
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Nothing is black or white.
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But the human body has an enormous capacity for adjusting to trying circumstances. I have found that one can bear the unbearable if one can keep one's spirits strong even when one's body is being tested. Strong convictions are the secret of surviving deprivation; your spirit can be full even when your stomach is empty.
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The time comes in the life of any nation when there remain only two choices - submit or fight. That time has now come to South Africa. We shall not submit and we have no choice but to hit back by all means in our power in defence of our people, our future, and our freedom
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I say to all those leaders, do not look the other way. Do not hesitate... It is within your power to avoid a genocide of humanity.
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Our march to freedom is irreversible. We must not allow fear to stand in our way.
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Few things make the life of a parent more rewarding and sweet as successful children.
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You see, when there is danger, a good leader takes the front line. But when there is celebration, a good leader stays in the back room. If you want the cooperation of human beings around you, make them feel that they are important. And you do that by being humble.
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Only free men can negotiate; prisoners cannot enter into contracts. Your freedom and mine cannot be separated.
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Of course we desire education and we think it is a good thing, but you don't have to have education in order to know that you want certain fundamental rights, you have got aspirations, you have got acclaims. It has nothing to do with education whatsoever.
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Jinnah is a constant source of inspiration for all those who are fighting against racial and group discrimination.
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We can't fight AIDS unless we do much more to fight TB as well.
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No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.
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It is not beyond our power to create a world in which all children have access to a good education.
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You have a limited time to stay on earth. You must try to use that period for the purpose of transforming your country into what you desire it to be: a democratic, non-racial, non-sexist country. And that is a great task.
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Nelson Mandela
- Born: July 18, 1918
- Died: December 5, 2013
- Occupation: Former President of South Africa
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