Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

76 Great Quotes By Nelson Mandela, One Of The Most Inspiring Leaders Of The 20th Century

Famous As: Anti-Apartheid Activist Who Served as the First President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999
Born On: July 18, 1918
Died On: December 5, 2013
Born In: Mvezo, South Africa
Died At Age: 95

Nelson Mandela was the first democratically elected President of South Africa and the first black man to serve the prestigious head of the state position in the country. A politician, statesman, orator, philanthropist and revolutionary, Mandela directed his life for the anti-apartheid movement. He was an ardent opponent of the apartheid movement. He joined the African Council Youth League in 1942 and directed acts of civil disobedience against the South African government through a campaign of peaceful, nonviolent defiance against the government and its racist policies. Mandela's dedication to the opposition of apartheid in South Africa led to his imprisonment for 27 years and his subsequent appointment asSouth Africa’sinaugural elected President. A global symbol of peacemaker, he was bestowed withthe Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for his undaunted and unstinting efforts. Just as his life which is absolutely inspiring and motivating for the youth today, so are his quotes on varied topics including peace, importance of education, true happiness and meaning of life among others. Sneak peek into this section and get inspired by his collection of quotes. They are sure to provide you with food for thought.

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

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

Nelson Mandela
When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw.

When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw.

Nelson Mandela
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.

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.

Nelson Mandela
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.

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.

Nelson Mandela
It always seems impossible until it's done.

It always seems impossible until it's done.

Nelson Mandela
Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.

Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.

Nelson Mandela
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.

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

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

Nelson Mandela
Lead from the back — and let others believe they are in front.

Lead from the back — and let others believe they are in front.

Nelson Mandela
Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.

Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.

Nelson Mandela
I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.

I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.

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.

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.

Nelson Mandela
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.

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 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.

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
As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

Nelson Mandela
Appearances matter — and remember to smile.

Appearances matter — and remember to smile.

Nelson Mandela
I am the captain of my soul.

I am the captain of my soul.

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.

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.

Nelson Mandela
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.

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.

Nelson Mandela
Where you stand depends on where you sit.

Where you stand depends on where you sit.

Nelson Mandela
One of the things I learned when I was negotiating was that until I changed myself, I could not change others.

One of the things I learned when I was negotiating was that until I changed myself, I could not change others.

Nelson Mandela
A winner is a dreamer who never gives up

A winner is a dreamer who never gives up

Nelson Mandela
After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.

After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.

Nelson Mandela
Courage is not the absence of fear — it s inspiring others to move beyond it.

Courage is not the absence of fear — it s inspiring others to move beyond it.

Nelson Mandela
A Nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but it's lowest ones

A Nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but it's lowest ones

Nelson Mandela
One cannot be prepared for something while secretly believing it will not happen.

One cannot be prepared for something while secretly believing it will not happen.

Nelson Mandela
You will achieve more in this world through acts of mercy than you will through acts of retribution.

You will achieve more in this world through acts of mercy than you will through acts of retribution.

Nelson Mandela
Nothing is black or white.

Nothing is black or white.

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

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

Nelson Mandela
Live life as though nobody is watching, and express yourself as though everyone is listening.

Live life as though nobody is watching, and express yourself as though everyone is listening.

Nelson Mandela