Quotes by Nelson Mandela

Forget the past.

Does anybody really think that they didnt get what they had because they didnt have the talent or the strength or the endurance or the commitment?

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

There are so many men and women who hold no distinctive positions but whose contribution towards the development of society has been enormous.

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

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 dont have that idea when you are arrogant, superficial, and uninformed.

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

At the outset, I want to say that the suggestion that the struggle in South Africa is under the influence of foreigners or communists is wholly incorrect. I have done whatever I did because of my experience in South Africa and my own proudly felt African background, and not because of what any outsider might have said.

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.

I would wear the blue overalls of the fieldworker and often wore round, rimless glasses known as Mazzawati teaglasses. I had a car, and I wore a chauffeurs cap with my overalls. The pose of chauffeur was convenient because I could travel under the pretext of driving my masters car.

If the United States of America or Britain is having elections, they dont ask for observers from Africa or from Asia. But when we have elections, they want observers.

Before I went to jail, I was active in politics as a member of South Africas leading organization - and I was generally busy from 7 A.M. until midnight. I never had time to sit and think.

When I came to Johannesburg from the countryside, I knew nobody, but many strangers were very kind to me. I then was dragged into politics, and then, subsequently, I became a lawyer.

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 defenseless people.

Money wont create success, the freedom to make it will.