Quotes By Nelson Mandela

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

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.

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 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.

Unlike some politicians, I can admit to a mistake.

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.

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?

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

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.

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

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.

We can't afford to be killing one another.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Forget the past.

It always seems impossible until its done.

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

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.

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 defenceless people.

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.