Nelson Mandela quotes - page 8

Whatever position I occupied, it was the result of colleagues - of my comrades in the movement - who had decided in their wisdom to use me for the purpose of focusing the attention of the country and the international community on me. (Nelson Mandela)
I have always regarded myself, in the first place, as an African patriot. View quote
Nelson Mandela
Apart from life, a strong constitution, and an abiding connection to the Thembu royal house, the only thing my father bestowed upon me at birth was a name, Rolihlahla. View quote
Nelson Mandela
If you are poor, you are not likely to live long. View quote
Nelson Mandela
You know, you can only lead them from behind. View quote
Nelson Mandela
Prison life, fortunately, I spent a lot of years, about 18 years with other prisoners, and, as I say, they enriched your soul. View quote
Nelson Mandela
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. View quote
Nelson Mandela
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. View quote
Nelson Mandela
Africans require, want, the franchise on the basis of one man one vote. They want political independence. View quote
Nelson Mandela
Intervention only works when the people concerned seem to be keen for peace. View quote
Nelson Mandela
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. (Nelson Mandela)
Leaders in all spheres who are living with HIV should be encouraged, not coerced, to lead by example and disclose their HIV status. View quote
Nelson Mandela
I really wanted to retire and rest and spend more time with my children, my grandchildren and of course with my wife. View quote
Nelson Mandela
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. View quote
Nelson Mandela
Where globalization means, as it so often does, that the rich and powerful now have new means to further enrich and empower themselves at the cost of the poorer and weaker, we have a responsibility to protest in the name of universal freedom. View quote
Nelson Mandela
To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity. View quote
Nelson Mandela
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. View quote
Nelson Mandela
Courageous people do not fear forgiving, for the sake of peace. View quote
Nelson Mandela
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. View quote
Nelson Mandela
Forget the past. View quote
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 that they should play a role for their country. (Nelson Mandela)
There are times when a leader must move out ahead of the flock, go off in a new direction, confident that he is leading his people the right way. View quote
Nelson Mandela
People respond in accordance to how you relate to them. If you approach them on the basis of violence, that's how they'll react. But if you say, 'We want peace, we want stability,' we can then do a lot of things that will contribute towards the progress of our society. View quote
Nelson Mandela
I should tie myself to no particular system of society other than of socialism. View quote
Nelson Mandela
Sometimes, I feel like one who is on the sidelines, who has missed life itself. View quote
Nelson Mandela