Nelson Mandela

Bekannte Zitate von Nelson Mandela

If there are dreams about a beautiful South Africa, there are also roads that lead to their goal. Two of these roads could be named Goodness and Forgiveness.

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 defenceless people.

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.

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.

I dream of the realization of the unity of Africa, whereby its leaders combine in their efforts to solve the problems of this continent. I dream of our vast deserts, of our forests, of all our great wildernesses.

I do not deny that I planned sabotage. I did not plan it in a spirit of recklessness nor because I have any love of violence. I planned it as a result of a calm and sober assessment of the political situation that had arisen after many years of tyranny, exploitation and oppression of my people by the whites.

Only free men can negotiate. A prisoner cannot enter into contracts.

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.

Money won't create success, the freedom to make it will.

Nonviolence is a good policy when the conditions permit.

After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 there's anything that would kill me it is to wake up in the morning not knowing what to do.

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

I started to make a study of the art of war and revolution and, whilst abroad, underwent a course in military training. If there was to be guerrilla warfare, I wanted to be able to stand and fight with my people and to share the hazards of war with them.

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.

Sometimes, I feel like one who is on the sidelines, who has missed life itself.

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

Courageous people do not fear forgiving, for the sake of peace.

Give a child love, laughter and peace, not AIDS.

Only free men can negotiate prisoners cannot enter into contracts. Your freedom and mine cannot be separated.