Nelson Mandela, Born: 18 July 1918, Mvezo, Union of South Africa [now South Africa]

I was not a messiah, but an ordinary man who had become a leader because of extraordinary circumstan...Show more »

I was not a messiah, but an ordinary man who had become a leader because of extraordinary circumstances. Show less «

Does anybody really think that they didn't get what they had because they didn't have the talent or ...Show more »

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? Show less «

You know, you can only lead them from behind.

For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhanc...Show more »

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. Show less «

I detest racialism, because I regard it as a barbaric thing, whether it comes from a black man or a ...Show more »

I detest racialism, because I regard it as a barbaric thing, whether it comes from a black man or a white man. Show less «

There are many people who feel that it is useless and futile to continue talking about peace and non...Show more »

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 defenseless people. Show less «

If there is a country that has committed unspeakable atrocities in the world, it is the United State...Show more »

If there is a country that has committed unspeakable atrocities in the world, it is the United States of America. Show less «

Money won't create success, the freedom to make it will.

In my country we go to prison first and then become President.

It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory w...Show more »

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. Show less «

Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all.

I started to make a study of the art of war and revolution and, whilst abroad, underwent a course in...Show more »

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. Show less «

I was called a terrorist yesterday, but when I came out of jail, many people embraced me, including ...Show more »

I was called a terrorist yesterday, but when I came out of jail, many people embraced me, including my enemies, and that is what I normally tell other people who say those who are struggling for liberation in their country are terrorists. Show less «

I have always regarded myself, in the first place, as an African patriot.

Give a child love, laughter and peace, not AIDS.

Nonviolence is a good policy when the conditions permit.

There is nothing I fear more than waking up without a program that will help me bring a little happi...Show more »

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. Show less «

I have been influenced in my thinking by both west and east.

Only free men can negotiate; prisoners cannot enter into contracts. Your freedom and mine cannot be ...Show more »

Only free men can negotiate; prisoners cannot enter into contracts. Your freedom and mine cannot be separated. Show less «

There are many people in South Africa who are rich and who can share those riches with those not so ...Show more »

There are many people in South Africa who are rich and who can share those riches with those not so fortunate who have not been able to conquer poverty. Show less «

Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppressi...Show more »

Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another. Show less «

There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you your...Show more »

There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered. Show less «

There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of th...Show more »

There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires. Show less «

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

Any man or institution that tries to rob me of my dignity will lose.

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

I can't pretend that I'm brave and that I can beat the whole world.

During my lifetime, I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought ag...Show more »

During my lifetime, I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea 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. Show less «

There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you...Show more »

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. Show less «

To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.

Special Olympians face prejudice with the injustice of apartheid.

In countries where innocent people are dying, the leaders are following their blood rather than thei...Show more »

In countries where innocent people are dying, the leaders are following their blood rather than their brains. Show less «

Leaders in all spheres who are living with HIV should be encouraged, not coerced, to lead by example...Show more »

Leaders in all spheres who are living with HIV should be encouraged, not coerced, to lead by example and disclose their HIV status. Show less «

It is wise to persuade people to do things and make them think it was their own idea.

The United States has made serious mistakes in the conduct of its foreign affairs, which have had un...Show more »

The United States has made serious mistakes in the conduct of its foreign affairs, which have had unfortunate repercussions long after the decisions were taken. Show less «

I cannot conceive of Israel withdrawing if Arab states do not recognize Israel, within secure border...Show more »

I cannot conceive of Israel withdrawing if Arab states do not recognize Israel, within secure borders. Show less «

The titanic effort that has brought liberation to South Africa, and ensured the total liberation of ...Show more »

The titanic effort that has brought liberation to South Africa, and ensured the total liberation of Africa, constitutes an act of redemption for the black people of the world. Show less «

Unlike some politicians, I can admit to a mistake.

Forget the past.

If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your pa...Show more »

If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner. Show less «

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

My son has died of AIDS.

If there are dreams about a beautiful South Africa, there are also roads that lead to their goal. Tw...Show more »

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. Show less «

Africans require, want, the franchise on the basis of one man one vote. They want political independ...Show more »

Africans require, want, the franchise on the basis of one man one vote. They want political independence. Show less «

I do not deny that I planned sabotage. I did not plan it in a spirit of recklessness nor because I h...Show more »

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. Show less «

Courageous people do not fear forgiving, for the sake of peace.

Communists have always played an active role in the fight by colonial countries for their freedom, b...Show more »

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. Show less «

Sometimes, I feel like one who is on the sidelines, who has missed life itself.

A good leader can engage in a debate frankly and thoroughly, knowing that at the end he and the othe...Show more »

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. Show less «

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

Intervention only works when the people concerned seem to be keen for peace.

I dream of an Africa which is in peace with itself.

There is no such thing as part freedom.

There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children.

If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his ...Show more »

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. Show less «

When the water starts boiling it is foolish to turn off the heat.

I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he...Show more »

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. Show less «

It always seems impossible until it's done.

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

No country can really develop unless its citizens are educated.

[on Steve Biko, who was murdered in 1977] They had to kill him to prolong the life of apartheid.

If the United States of America or Britain is having elections, they don't ask for observers from Af...Show more »

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. Show less «

I really wanted to retire and rest and spend more time with my children, my grandchildren and of cou...Show more »

I really wanted to retire and rest and spend more time with my children, my grandchildren and of course with my wife. Show less «

Our human compassion binds us the one to the other - not in pity or patronizingly, but as human bein...Show more »

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. Show less «

Before I went to jail, I was active in politics as a member of South Africa's leading organization -...Show more »

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. Show less «

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

By ancestry, I was born to rule.

I dream of the realization of the unity of Africa, whereby its leaders combine in their efforts to s...Show more »

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. Show less «

I have retired, but if there's anything that would kill me it is to wake up in the morning not knowi...Show more »

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. Show less «

I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in ha...Show more »

I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. Show less «

I made a mistake by being ejected from the presidency. Next time, I will choose a Cabinet which will...Show more »

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. Show less «

We can't afford to be killing one another.

A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.

I am confident that nobody... will accuse me of selfishness if I ask to spend time, while I am still...Show more »

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. Show less «

Our single most important challenge is therefore to help establish a social order in which the freed...Show more »

Our single most important challenge is therefore to help establish a social order in which the freedom of the individual will truly mean the freedom of the individual. Show less «

I stand here before you not as a prophet, but as a humble servant of you, the people.

Let us give publicity to H.I.V./AIDS and not hide it, because the only way to make it appear like a ...Show more »

Let us give publicity to H.I.V./AIDS and not hide it, because the only way to make it appear like a normal illness like TB, like cancer, is always to come out and say somebody has died because of H.I.V./AIDS, and people will stop regarding it as something extraordinary. Show less «

Where globalization means, as it so often does, that the rich and powerful now have new means to fur...Show more »

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. Show less «

If you are poor, you are not likely to live long.