Nelson Mandela

“Long speeches, the shaking of fists, the banging of tables and strongly worded resolutions out of touch with the objective conditions do not bring about mass action and can do a great deal of harm to the organisation and the struggle we serve.”

“Many people in this country have paid the price before me and many will pay the price after me.”

“If I had my time over I would do the same again. So would any man who dares call himself a man.”

“Difficulties break some men but make others. No axe is sharp enough to cut the soul of a sinner who keeps on trying, one armed with the hope that he will rise even in the end.”

“I never think of the time I have lost. I just carry out a programme because it’s there. It’s mapped out for me.”

“Death is something inevitable. When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace. I believe I have made that effort and that is, therefore, why I will sleep for the eternity.”

“I had no specific belief except that our cause was just, was very strong and it was winning more and more support.”

“A critical, independent and investigative press is the lifeblood of any democracy. The press must be free from state interference. It must have the economic strength to stand up to the blandishments of government officials.”

“It is in the character of growth that we should learn from both pleasant and unpleasant experiences.”

“Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people.”

“It is never my custom to use words lightly. If twenty-seven years in prison have done anything to us, it was to use the silence of solitude to make us understand how precious words are and how real speech is in its impact on the way people live and die.”

“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”

“Those who conduct themselves with morality, integrity and consistency need not fear the forces of inhumanity and cruelty.”

“When the history of our times is written, will we be remembered as the generation that turned our backs in a moment of global crisis or will it be recorded that we did the right thing?”

“Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.”

“It was difficult to concentrate on the negative aspect of your life. The important thing is that I was in the company of men of great experience and great talent.”

“I am committed to ensuring that the president of a country like ours must not live in a style which is totally different from that of the masses of the people who put him in power.”

“South Africa is a country of many races. There is room for all the various races in this country.”

“There’s nothing as bad as a leader making a demand which you know can never succeed.”

“People will feel I see too much good in people. So it’s a criticism I have to put up with and I’ve tried to adjust to because, whether it is so or not, it is something which I think is profitable.”

“I accepted that if you have a problem, you must face it and not gloss over it.”

“Success in politics demands that you must take your people into confidence about your views and state them very clearly, very politely, very calmly, but nevertheless state them openly.”

“A common touch is of immense advantage, especially on the part of a head of state.”

“A softer approach, especially when you are confident of a case, brings about results far more than aggression.”

“The masses like to see somebody who is responsible and who speaks in a responsible manner. They like that, and so I avoid rabble-rousing speeches.”

“When people are determined they can overcome anything.”

“I can’t remember losing my sense of control; after all, in that situation you can only survive if you keep calm and cool.”

“A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of.”

“We tried in our simple way to lead our life in a manner that may make a difference to those of others.”