The quotations of

Nelson Mandela

President of South Africa and anti-apartheid activist

1918–2013

26 quotes, most often on Freedom, Race and Hope.

There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.
Long Walk to Freedom (1995)
- Change
It was during those long and lonely years that my hunger for the freedom of my own people became a hunger for the freedom of all people, white and black.
Long Walk to Freedom (1995)
- Freedom
- Race
Our march to freedom is irreversible. We must not allow fear to stand in our way.
Our March to Freedom is Irreversible (1990)
- Fear
- Freedom
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.
Speech for the “Make Poverty History” campaign. Trafalgar Square, London (3 February 2005).
- Money
Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward.
Long Walk to Freedom (1995)
- Hope
It is in the character of growth that we should learn from both pleasant and unpleasant experiences.
Nelson Mandela on character, Foreign Correspondent’s Association’s Annual Dinner, Johannesburg, South Africa (21 November 1997)
- Experience
Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.
Nelson Mandela on determination, From a letter to Makhaya Ntini on his 100th Cricket Test (17 December 2009)
- Motivation & Goals
- Success
Out of the experience of an extraordinary human disaster that lasted too long, must be born a society of which all humanity will be proud.
Inaugural celebration address (1994)
- Change
- Hope
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?
Nelson Mandela on Aids, 46664 Concert, Tromso, Norway (11 Jun 2005)
- History
- Responsibility
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 will live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for. But, my lord, if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.
Statement from the dock at the Rivonia Trial, Pretoria (20 April 1964)
Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another and suffer the indignity of being the skunk of the world. Let freedom reign!
Inaugural address, Pretoria (10 May 1994)
- Freedom

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