Quote

The past is a rich resource on which we can draw in order to make decisions for the future, but it does not dictate our choices. We should look back at the past and select what is good, and leave behind what is bad.

Nelson Mandela

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Nelson Mandela
Age: 95 †
Born: 1918
Born: July 18
Died: 2013
Died: December 5
Autobiographer
Former President Of South Africa
Lawyer
Political Activist
Political Prisoner
Politician
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
Mandela
Prisoner 46664
Madiba
Doe
Behind
Dictate
Back
Leave
Resource
Look
Decision
Select
Looks
Rich
Draw
Make
Choices
Decisions
Good
Future
Draws
Order
Resources
Past
Behinds

More quotes by Nelson Mandela

Image
We slaughter one another in our words and attitudes. We slaughter one another in the stereotypes and mistrust that linger in our heads, and the words of hate we spew from our lips.
Nelson Mandela
Image
Our freedom is also incomplete, dear compatriots, as long as we are denied our security by criminals who prey on our communities, who rob our businesses and undermine our economy, who ply their destructive trade in drugs in our schools, and who do violence against our women and children.
Nelson Mandela
Image
Friends, Comrades and fellow South Africans. I greet you all in the name of peace, democracy and freedom for all. I stand here before you not as a prophet but as a humble servant of you, the people. Your tireless and heroic sacrifices have made it possible for me to be here today. I therefore place the remaining years of my life in your hands.
Nelson Mandela
Image
Do not allow your anger to control your reason, but rather your reason to control your anger.
Nelson Mandela
Image
There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere.
Nelson Mandela
Image
To a freedom fighter hope is what a lifebelt is to a swimmer - a guarantee that one will keep afloat and free from danger.
Nelson Mandela
Image
We understand and promote the notion that while children need to be guided they also have an entrenched right to be whatever they want to be and that they can achieve this only if they are given the space to dream and live out their dreams.
Nelson Mandela
Image
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.
Nelson Mandela
Image
There is nothing to popularize a person. Only humility, which is the ability to remain in the background and to put others in the front light.
Nelson Mandela
Image
Apart from life, a strong constitusion and an abiding connection to the Thembu royal house, the only thing my father bestowed upon me at birth was a name, Rolihlahla
Nelson Mandela
Image
If you want the cooperation of humans around you, you must make them feel they are important - and you do that by being genuine and humble.
Nelson Mandela
Image
My respect for human beings is based not on the colour of a man’s skin nor authority he may wield, but purely on merit.
Nelson Mandela
Image
Those South Africans who berate me for being loyal to our friends, literally they can go and throw themselves into a pool. I am not going to betray the trust of those who helped us.
Nelson Mandela
Image
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.
Nelson Mandela
Image
The freedom we enjoy is a richly textured gift handcrafted by ordinary folk
Nelson Mandela
Image
It is not the kings and generals that make history, but the masses of the people.
Nelson Mandela
Image
It is always impossible until it is done.
Nelson Mandela
Image
A new society cannot be created by reproducing the repugnant past, however refined or enticingly repackaged.
Nelson Mandela
Image
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
Nelson Mandela
Image
I understand that the legal position is under review in South Africa and that there will soon be a broader set of organizations to which donors can give and claim tax deductions.
Nelson Mandela