Quotes By Nelson Mandela

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.

Forget the past.

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.

It always seems impossible until its done.

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.

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.

I really wanted to retire and rest and spend more time with my children, my grandchildren and of course with my wife.

We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.

Only free men can negotiate. A prisoner cannot enter into contracts.

I have been influenced in my thinking by both west and east.

I dream of an Africa which is in peace with itself.

I have retired, but if there's anything that would kill me it is to wake up in the morning not knowing what to do.

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.

You know, you can only lead them from behind.

Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another.

A good leader can engage in a debate frankly and thoroughly, knowing that at the end he and the other side must be closer, and thus emerge stronger. You don't have that idea when you are arrogant, superficial, and uninformed.

In my country we go to prison first and then become President.

If there is a country that has committed unspeakable atrocities in the world, it is the United States of America.

Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all.

I detest racialism, because I regard it as a barbaric thing, whether it comes from a black man or a white man.

I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.

My son has died of AIDS.

Intervention only works when the people concerned seem to be keen for peace.

Nonviolence is a good policy when the conditions permit.

Our human compassion binds us the one to the other - not in pity or patronizingly, but as human beings who have learnt how to turn our common suffering into hope for the future.

The titanic effort that has brought liberation to South Africa, and ensured the total liberation of Africa, constitutes an act of redemption for the black people of the world.

There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.

I started to make a study of the art of war and revolution and, whilst abroad, underwent a course in military training. If there was to be guerrilla warfare, I wanted to be able to stand and fight with my people and to share the hazards of war with them.

I stand here before you not as a prophet, but as a humble servant of you, the people.

Let us give publicity to H.I.V./AIDS and not hide it, because the only way to make it appear like a normal illness like TB, like cancer, is always to come out and say somebody has died because of H.I.V./AIDS, and people will stop regarding it as something extraordinary.