Former South African President Nelson Mandela, who served 27
years in prison for anti-apartheid activities and led his continent
into a new era, has died at age 95.
years in prison for anti-apartheid activities and led his continent
into a new era, has died at age 95.
World leader, civil rights icon, South African hero, Nelson Mandela will
be remembered not only through the millions of lives he touched
throughout his long life, but also through the words of wisdom he
has shared in speeches all across the world.
be remembered not only through the millions of lives he touched
throughout his long life, but also through the words of wisdom he
has shared in speeches all across the world.
From his rabble-rousing while leading South Africa's anti-apartheid
movement, to his first address as the newly elected president of
South Africa, Nelson Mandela's speeches remind us just how
powerful and world-changing words can be. As we reflect on
his legacy, check out some of Nelson Mandela's most poignant
and eloquent moments in front of a microphone.
movement, to his first address as the newly elected president of
South Africa, Nelson Mandela's speeches remind us just how
powerful and world-changing words can be. As we reflect on
his legacy, check out some of Nelson Mandela's most poignant
and eloquent moments in front of a microphone.
To celebrate the life of the former South African
president and political activist, here are 10 quotes
that embody the advice and observations of a
man who has devoted his life to the service
of humanity.
president and political activist, here are 10 quotes
that embody the advice and observations of a
man who has devoted his life to the service
of humanity.
1. “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond
measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most
frightens us. Your playing small does not serve
the world. There is nothing enlightened about
shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure
around you. We are all meant to shine as children
do. It’s not just in some of us; it is in everyone.
And as we let our own lights shine, we
unconsciously give other people permission
to do the same. As we are liberated from our
own fear, our presence automatically
liberates others.”
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond
measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most
frightens us. Your playing small does not serve
the world. There is nothing enlightened about
shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure
around you. We are all meant to shine as children
do. It’s not just in some of us; it is in everyone.
And as we let our own lights shine, we
unconsciously give other people permission
to do the same. As we are liberated from our
own fear, our presence automatically
liberates others.”
2. “I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that
comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say.
Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head
pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward.
There were many dark moments when my faith
in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and
could not give myself up to despair. That way
lays defeat and death.”
comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say.
Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head
pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward.
There were many dark moments when my faith
in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and
could not give myself up to despair. That way
lays defeat and death.”
3. “No one is born hating another person because
of the color of his skin, or his background, or his
religion. People must learn to hate, and if they
can learn to hate, they can be taught to love,
for love comes more naturally to the human
heart than its opposite.”
of the color of his skin, or his background, or his
religion. People must learn to hate, and if they
can learn to hate, they can be taught to love,
for love comes more naturally to the human
heart than its opposite.”
4. “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.”
the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead,
whereupon the others follow, not realizing that
all along they are being directed from behind.”
5. “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.”
fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not
he who does not feel afraid, but he who
conquers that fear.”
6. “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.”
—in settling for a life that is less than the one you
are capable of living.”
7. “If you want to make peace with your enemy,
you have to work with your enemy. Then he
becomes your partner.”
you have to work with your enemy. Then he
becomes your partner.”
8. “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.”
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.”
9. “There is nothing like returning to a place
that remains unchanged to find the ways in
which you yourself have altered.”
that remains unchanged to find the ways in
which you yourself have altered.”
10. “Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity,
it is an act of justice. Like Slavery and Apartheid,
poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be
overcome and eradicated by the actions of
human beings. Sometimes it falls on a
generation to be great. YOU can be that
great generation. Let your greatness blossom.”
it is an act of justice. Like Slavery and Apartheid,
poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be
overcome and eradicated by the actions of
human beings. Sometimes it falls on a
generation to be great. YOU can be that
great generation. Let your greatness blossom.”
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