(Source-The-New-York-Times)
Numerous renowned individuals have graced history’s stage, but a few shine as brightly as Nelson Mandela. His resilience, heroism, and political leadership, coupled with his role as an anti-apartheid revolutionary and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, mark him as an exceptional figure. We commemorate and pay homage to his inspiring life, profound impact, and enduring legacy with this collection of 20 famous quotes by Nelson Mandela.
In embracing Mandela’s profound words, we embark on a journey towards transformative change and unwavering unity, echoing his enduring legacy in the fabric of our shared humanity.
We hope you find these quotes by Nelson Mandela inspirational:
- “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
- “When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell and got back up again.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “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, of honesty, but humility.”
- “It is said that no one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails. A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.”
- “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.”
- “There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find how you have altered.”
- “Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.”
- “It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another.”
14. “I have never cared very much for personal prizes. A person does not become a freedom fighter in the hope of winning awards.”
15. “It is not our diversity which divides us; it is not our ethnicity or religion or culture that divides us. Since we have achieved our freedom, there can only be one division amongst us: between those who cherish democracy and those who do not.”
- “Without language, one cannot talk to people and understand them; one cannot share their hopes and aspirations, grasp their history, appreciate their poetry, or savor their songs.”
- “A good head and good heart are always a formidable combination. But when you add to that a literate tongue or pen, then you have something very special.”
- “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.”
- “Men have different capacities and react differently to stress. But the stronger ones raised the weaker ones, and both became stronger in the process.”
- “Those who conduct themselves with morality, integrity, and consistency need not fear the forces of inhumanity and cruelty.”
By reflecting on these lessons from quotes by Nelson Mandela, we can gain valuable insights into how to create positive change in our own lives and the world around us. These quotes by Nelson Mandela often emphasize the importance of courage and resilience, showing us the power of perseverance in the most challenging of circumstances.