Quotessence
Home / Authors / Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela Quotes

Former President of South Africa

Filter quotes by topic

AllPeopleInspiringIfsWorldLong Walk To FreedomSouth AfricaMenHumansApartheidCountryInspirationalChildrenSouthPovertyLeaderWayGivingLongNationsPersons

Famous Nelson Mandela Quotes

“How can I be expected to believe that this same racial discrimination which has been the cause of so much injustice and suffering right through the years, should now operate here to give me a fair and open trial?....consider myself neither morally nor legally obliged to obey laws made by a Parliament in which I am not represented. That the will of the people is the basis of the authority of government, is a principle universally acknowledged as sacred throughout the civilized world.”

PeopleWorldGivingShouldYearsBelieveHas BeensMadeGovernmentLawSufferingCausesPrinciplesAuthorityFairsBasesGive MeSacredInjusticeExpectedTrialsDiscriminationCivilizedParliamentObligedThrough The YearsRacial Discrimination
Author:Nelson Mandela
Create image

“[Giving] is the essence of the great religions of the world - whether you are discussing the Muslim, Hindu, Jewish or Christian religion. It is an essential fundamental principle of all religions, whatever stage of development a society has reached, to sympathize with others and to promote that spirit of equality.”

WorldGivingChristianSpiritPrinciplesStageDevelopmentEssentialsEssenceFundamentalsDiscussingFundamental PrinciplesStages Of Development
Author:Nelson Mandela
Create image

“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.”

WayGivingMomentsInspirationMovingHumanityPeaceDarkPovertyCourageSunFeetDespairOptimismLaysDefeatConvictionMoving ForwardOptimisticNurtureOptimistTestedNot Giving UpWorld LeaderBeing OptimisticLong Walk To FreedomOptimism In LifePositive OptimisticFaith In HumanityOptimistic LifeOptimism And HopeDark MomentsPositivity And OptimismGood Optimistic
Author:Nelson Mandela
Create image

“It always gives me great pleasure to be surrounded by the beautiful children of our land. Whenever I am with the energetic young people ... I feel like a recharged battery, confident that our country can look forward to great things.”

PeopleGivingFeelsLooksChildrenCountryBeautifulYoungPleasureLandGive MeGreat ThingsOur CountryEnergeticBatteries
Book:Nelson Mandela By Himself: The Authorised Book of Quotations
Create image

“We can neither heal nor build if, on the one hand the rich in our society see the poor as hordes of irritants or if on the other hand the poor sit back, expecting charity. All of us must take responsibility for the upliftment of our conditions, prepared to give our best to the benefit of all”

IfsGivingHandsPoorResponsibilityRichConditionsBenefitsPreparedCharityHealOur SocietyExpectingTaking ResponsibilityHordeIrritants
Book:Nelson Mandela: from freedom to the future : tributes and speeches
Create image