ON
HIS IDEALS
I
have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black
domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in
which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is
an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an
ideal for which I am prepared to die.
Famous “speech from
the dock” on April 20, 1964, at the end of what is known as the Rivonia trial,
which began October 1963 and in which Nelson Mandela and nine others were
charged with sabotage and faced the death penalty in a trial.
ON
DEATH
Death
is something inevitable. When a man has done what he considers to be his duty
to his people and his country, he can rest in peace. I believe I have made that
effort and that is, therefore, why I will sleep for the eternity.
From an interview for
the documentary Mandela, 1994
ON
LEADERSHIP
Real
leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people.
Chief
Albert Luthuli centenary celebrations, Kwadukuza, Kwazulu-natal, April 25,
1998, South Africa
ON
SPEAKING
Long
speeches, the shaking of fists, the banging of tables and strongly worded
resolutions out of touch with the objective conditions do not bring about mass
action and can do a great deal of harm to the organization and the struggle we
serve.
Presidential
address to the Anc Transvaal Congress, also known as the ‘No Easy Walk to
Freedom’ speech, Transvaal, South Africa, September 21,1953
ON
THE FUTURE
Many
people in this country have paid the price before me and many will pay the
price after me.
Speech
in mitigation of sentence after being convicted of inciting workers to strike
and leaving the country illegally, Old synagogue, Pretoria, South Africa,
November 1962
ON
THE LIBERATION MOVEMENT
If
I had my time over I would do the same again. So would any man who dares call
himself a man.
Speech
in mitigation of sentence after being convicted of inciting workers to strike
and leaving the country illegally, Old synagogue, Pretoria, South Africa, November
1962
ON
CHALLENGES
Difficulties
break some men but make others. No axe is sharp enough to cut the soul of a
sinner who keeps on trying, one armed with the hope that he will rise even in
the end.
From
a letter to Winnie Mandela, written on Robben Island, February 1, 1975
ON
FRIENDSHIP
I
like friends who have independent minds because they tend to make you see
problems from all angles.
From
his unpublished autobiographical manuscript written in prison, 1975
ON
EQUALITY
I
have never regarded any man as my superior, either in my life outside or inside
prison.
From
a letter to General Du Preez, Commissioner of prisons, written on Robben
Island, Cape town, South Africa, July 12, 1976
ON
TIME
I
never think of the time I have lost. I just carry out a programme because it’s
there. It’s mapped out for me.
From
a conversation with Richard Stengel, may 3, 1993
ON
IDEOLOGY
I
had no specific belief except that our cause was just, was very strong and it
was winning more and more support.
Robben
Island, Cape Town, South Africa, February 11, 1994
ON
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
A
critical, independent and investigative press is the lifeblood of any
democracy. The press must be free from state interference. It must have the
economic strength to stand up to the blandishments of government officials. It
must have sufficient independence from vested interests to be bold and
inquiring without fear or favour. It must enjoy the protection of the
constitution, so that it can protect our rights as citizens.
At
the international press institute congress, February 14, 1994
On
CHARACTER
It
is in the character of growth that we should learn from both pleasant and
unpleasant experiences.
Foreign
correspondents’ association’s annual dinner, Johannesburg, South Africa,
November 21, 1997
ON
WORDS
It
is never my custom to use words lightly. If twenty-seven years in prison have
done anything to us, it was to use the silence of solitude to make us
understand how precious words are and how real speech is in its impact on the
way people live and die.
Closing
address 13th International AIDS Conference, Durban, South Africa, July 14, 2000
ON
LIFE
What
counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference
we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the
life we lead.
90th
birthday celebration of Walter Sisulu, Walter Sisulu hall, Randburg,
Johannesburg, South Africa, May 18, 2002
ON
FREEDOM FIGHTERS
We
tried in our simple way to lead our life in a manner that may make a difference
to those of others.
Upon
receiving the Roosevelt Freedom Award, June 8, 2002
ON
INTEGRITY
Those
who conduct themselves with morality, integrity and consistency need not fear
the forces of inhumanity and cruelty.
At
the British Red Cross humanity lecture, Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre,
London, England, July 10, 2003
ON
AIDS
When
the history of our times is written, will we be remembered as the generation
that turned our backs in a moment of global crisis or will it be recorded that
we did the right thing?
46664
concert, Tromso, Norway, June 11, 2005
ON
HUMOUR
You
sharpen your ideas by reducing yourself to the level of the people you are with
and a sense of humour and a complete relaxation, even when you’re discussing
serious things, does help to mobilize friends around you. And I love that.
From
an interview with Tim Couzens, Verne Harris and Mac Maharaj for Mandela: the
authorized portrait, 2006, August 13, 2005
ON
SELFLESSNESS
A
fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a
long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of.
Kliptown,
Soweto, South Africa, July 12, 2008
ON
DETERMINATION
Everyone
can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to
and passionate about what they do.
From
a letter to Makhaya Ntini on his 100th cricket test, December 17, 2009
From Nelson Mandela By Himself: The Authorized Book of Quotations
No comments:
Post a Comment