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

“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.”

WayInspirationalWisdomInspirationFreedomInspiringLibertyPositiveDrugRespectIndependentCastsPositivityHumanitarianChainsLiberationLive LifePrisonerRespecting OthersFreedom And LibertyFreedom Of ThoughtWay To LiveFreedom LibertyCivil LibertiesApartheidFreedom Of ChoiceBeing FreeFreedom FighterLive FreeInspirational CharityLiberty And JusticeEnhancementLong Walk To FreedomFighting For FreedomIndependence And FreedomGreat FreedomBreaking FreeLive For OthersInspiring Independence DayEducation And FreedomHappy 4th Of JulyInspirational FreedomFavorite WordsFreedom Of AssemblyMoral FreedomUsa Freedom
Book:Nelson Mandela By Himself: The Authorised Book of Quotations
Create image

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

WayInspirationalSelfBlackGrowthChangeLeadershipInspiringPovertyTravelDiscoveryRemainsPersonal GrowthSelf DiscoveryFulfillmentSouth AfricaNot Giving UpThings ChangeKnow YourselfAlteredApartheidEulogySelf ActualizationChange YourselfDiscovering YourselfLong Walk To FreedomDiscovering SelfVacation TimeBest VacationDiscovering The WorldSelf Change
Book:Nelson Mandela By Himself: The Authorised Book of Quotations
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

“I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can only rest for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not ended.”

WayInspirationalLooksLongMadeI CanMomentsWisdomFreedomWalksInspiringViewsSecretResponsibilityTakenDistancePerseveranceDareStealingHillsGloriousClimbsSurroundPrisonerClimbingPersonal ResponsibilityApartheidMoments In TimeVistasAbsolute FreedomLong WalksLong Walk To FreedomLong RoadGreat FreedomInspirational FreedomUltimate Freedom
Author:Nelson Mandela
Create image

“The truth is that we are not yet free; we have merely achieved the freedom to be free, the right not to be oppressed. We have not taken the final step of our journey, but the first step on a longer and even more difficult road. 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. The true test of our devotion to freedom is just beginning.”

WayFirstsDifficultStepsTakenJourneyTruth IsTestsFinalsCastsDevotionChainsFirst StepsOppressed
Book:Dare Not Linger: The Presidential Years
Create image

“Sports have the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire, the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sports can create hope, where there was once only despair. It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of all types of discrimination. Sports is the game of lovers.”

PeopleWorldWayLittlesDoeSpeakLanguageSportsYouthInspireDespairChanging The WorldPower To ChangePower To Change The World
Book:Nelson Mandela By Himself: The Authorised Book of Quotations
Create image

“We need a fundamental change of mindset with regards to the way we speak and behave about sex and sexuality. Boys and men have a particularly critical role in this regard, changing the chauvinist and demeaning ways sexuality and women were traditionally dealt with in both our actions and speaking.”

MenWayNeedsActionSpeakSexBoysRolesRegardFundamentalsCriticalSexualityMindsetBehaveOur ActionsDemeaning
Book:Nelson Mandela By Himself: The Authorised Book of Quotations
Create image

“In some ways, I saw the garden as a metaphor for certain aspects of my life. A leader must also tend his garden; he, too, plants seeds, and then watches, cultivates, and harvests the results. Like the gardener, a leader must take responsibility for what he cultivates; he must mind his work, try to repel enemies, preserve what can be preserved, and eliminate what cannot succeed.”

WayTryingMindCertainResultsResponsibilityLeaderEnemyWatchesSawsSucceedAspectGardenPlantMetaphorSeedsPreservesHarvestTaking ResponsibilityGardener
Author:Nelson Mandela
Create image