Nelson Mandela (born: July 18, 1918 — died: December 5, 2013), was a South African political leader who became the first black president of South Africa in 1994, after his remarkable resistance to institutionalised racism, which privileged white people. For his services in restoring democracy, eliminating racism and reviving social justice, he received Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. In South Africa, he is regarded as the Father of the nation.
Famous Nelson Mandela Quotes
For your convenience, Nelson Mandela quotes have been classified into the following categories:
Nelson Mandela Leadership Quotes
The following Nelson Mandela leadership quotes reflect that to become a successful leader, you must think yourself to be a servant of people, and must be ready to sacrifice everything to enable the people to live the life they aspire to. These Nelson Mandela thoughts will definitely enhance your leadership skills.
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| "Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people." (Nelson Mandela) |
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.
(Nelson Mandela)
As a leader, I have always endeavoured to listen to what each and every person in the discussion had to say before venturing my own opinion.
(Nelson Mandela)
I stand here before you not as a prophet, but as a humble servant of you, the people.
(Nelson Mandela)
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| "A real leader uses every issue, no matter how serious and sensitive, to ensure that at the end of the debate we should emerge stronger and more united than ever." (Nelson Mandela) |
A leader. . .is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.
I was not a Messiah, but an ordinary man who had become a leader because of extraordinary circumstances.
(Nelson Mandela)
It is also the fate of leadership to be misunderstood. It is a grave error for any leader to be oversensitive in the face of the criticism.
(Nelson Mandela)
Nelson Mandela Quotes About Freedom
After enduring around 17 years of imprisonment, Nelson Mandela finally achieved his freedom, which was made possible by his resilience and unwillingness to give up. These freedom quotes by Nelson Mandela emphasize that one should strive to enhance one's freedom and freedom of others.
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| "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." (Nelson Mandela) |
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.
(Nelson Mandela)
As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison.
Only free men can negotiate; prisoners cannot enter into contracts. Your freedom and mine cannot be separated.
(Nelson Mandela)
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| "Money won't create success, the freedom to make it will." (Nelson Mandela) |
I have cherished the ideal of the democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.
(Nelson Mandela)
Powerful Nelson Mandela Quotes On Education
These Nelson Mandela education quotes reflect the immense significance of education in one's personal development, in the development of the nation, and ultimately in the advancement of the world.
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| "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." (Nelson Mandela) |
The power of education extends beyond the development skills we need for economic success. It can contribute to nation-building and reconciliation.
(Nelson Mandela)
A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination. But when you add to that a literate tongue or pen, then you have something very special.
(Nelson Mandela)
Young people must take it upon themselves to ensure that they receive the highest education possible so that they can represent us well in future as future leaders.
(Nelson Mandela)
No country can really develop unless its citizens are educated.
(Nelson Mandela)
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| "Education is the great engine of personal development." (Nelson Mandela) |
Without education your children can never really meet the challenges they will face. So it's very important to give children education and explain them that they should play a role for their country.
(Nelson Mandela)
Nelson Mandela Inspirational Quotes & Other Famous Quotes
Following Nelson Mandela inspirational and motivational quotes will encourage you to rise above your failures, stay dedicated and passionate towards your goal. Also, there are other famous Mandela thoughts that will help you out in enhancing your life.
Action without vision is only passing time, vision without action is merely daydreaming, but vision with action can change the world.
(Nelson Mandela)
A winner is a dreamer who never gives up
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| "The greatest glory in living is not in falling, but in rising every time we fall." (Nelson Mandela) |
Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.
(Nelson Mandela)
It always seems impossible until it's done.
(Nelson Mandela)
We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.
(Nelson Mandela)
Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.
(Nelson Mandela)
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| "Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward." (Nelson Mandela) |
When people are determined they can overcome anything.
(Nelson Mandela)
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.
Live life as if nobody is watching, and express yourself as though everyone is listening
(Nelson Mandela)
The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.
(Nelson Mandela)
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| "I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it." (Nelson Mandela) |
After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.
(Nelson Mandela)
I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.
(Nelson Mandela)
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.
(Nelson Mandela)
It is in the character of growth that we should learn from both pleasant and unpleasant experiences.
(Nelson Mandela)
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| "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." (Nelson Mandela) |
If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.
(Nelson Mandela)
I like friends who have independent minds because they tend to make you see problems from all angles.
(Nelson Mandela)
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.
(Nelson Mandela)
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| "As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same." (Nelson Mandela) |
Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.
(Nelson Mandela)
As I have said, the first thing is to be honest with yourself. You can never have an impact on society if you have not changed yourself... Great peacemakers are all people of integrity, honesty, and humility.
(Nelson Mandela)
If you want the cooperation of humans around you, you must make them feel they are important, and you do that by being genuine and humble.
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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| "There can be no greater gift than that of giving one’s time and energy to help others without expecting anything in return." (Nelson Mandela) |
There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.
(Nelson Mandela)
Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another.
(Nelson Mandela)
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.
(Nelson Mandela)
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| "Forgiveness liberates the soul. It removes fear. That is why it is such a powerful weapon." (Nelson Mandela) |
There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children.
(Nelson Mandela)
A Nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones
