Nelson Mandela has moved on into the realm of great leaders
that the world has known through the ages but what were some of his important
quotes on issues? I present to you 10 of his greatest quotes based on different
concepts.
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| Nelson Mandela few months before his death |
1. Forgiviness
“Courageous people do not fear forgiving, for the sake of peace.”
2. Optimism
“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.”
3. Freedom
“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.”
4. Hate
“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.”
5. Africa
“I dream of an Africa which is in peace with itself.”
6. Failure
“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every
time we fall.”
7. Leadership
“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.”
8. Enemies
“If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy.
Then he becomes your partner.”
9. Courage
“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.”
10. Education
“Education is the
most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
11. Change
“There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the
ways in which you yourself have altered.”
12. Society
“There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it
treats its children.”
13. South Africa’s Presidency
“In my country we go to prison first and then become President.”
14. Time
“We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do
right.”
15. Challenges
“After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to
climb.”
16. Dignity
“Any man or institution that tries to rob me of my dignity will lose.”
17. HIV
“Leaders in all spheres who are living with HIV should be encouraged, not
coerced, to lead by example and disclose their HIV status.”
18. Impossibility
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
19. Persuasion
“It is wise to persuade people to do things and make them think it was their
own idea.”
20. Communication
“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.”
There you have it, we can all learn from these words of a great man.
