Nelson Mandela, a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician, and philanthropist, was one of the most influential figures of the 20th century. He spent 27 years in prison for fighting against apartheid in South Africa and became the first black president of the country in 1994. His legacy continues to inspire people around the world with his words of wisdom, courage, and perseverance. Here are 30 of the best quotes from Nelson Mandela.
- “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
- “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.”
- “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
- “I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.”
- “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.”
- “If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.”
- “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.”
- “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
- “The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
- “I like friends who have independent minds because they tend to make you see problems from all angles.”
- “Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “The first thing is to be honest with yourself. You can never have an impact on society if you have not changed yourself.”
- “It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.”
- “There can be no greater gift than that of giving one’s time and energy to help others without expecting anything in return.”
- “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.”
- “I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.”
- “I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.”
- “There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.”
- “I dream of an Africa which is in peace with itself.”
- “It is never too late to start building the world we want.”
- “I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”
- “A winner is a dreamer who never gives up.”
- “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.”
- “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
- “Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.”
- “Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people.”
- “No one can take away your self-respect unless you allow them to.”
- “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.”
These quotes from Nelson Mandela showcase his strength, wisdom, and compassion, and continue to inspire people around the world to this day. From his leadership and dedication to the pursuit of freedom and equality, to his understanding of the power of education and the importance of self-reflection, Mandela’s words offer guidance and inspiration for all.
Photo by John-Paul Henry on Unsplash
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