Quote

I went as an observer, not a participant, for I do not think that I ever spoke. I wanted to understand the issues under discussion, evaluate the arguments, see the calibre of the men involved.

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
Issues
Observers
Went
Arguments
Understand
Spokes
Calibre
Ever
Spoke
Participant
Wanted
Discussion
Introvert
Men
Argument
Observer
Think
Involved
Participants
Thinking
Leader
Evaluate

More quotes by Nelson Mandela

Image
Video screenshot Facts and figures from Nelson Mandela's life, set to the trailer from 'Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.' Man's goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.
Nelson Mandela
Image
Information is a basic human right and the fundamental foundation for the formation of democratic institutions.
Nelson Mandela
Image
To be the father of a nation is a great honor, but to be the father of a family is a greater joy.
Nelson Mandela
Image
The calm and tolerant atmosphere that prevailed during the elections depicts the type of South Africa we can build. It set the tone for the future. We might have our differences, but we are one people with a common destiny in our rich variety of culture, race and tradition.
Nelson Mandela
Image
It's in your hands to make the world a better place.
Nelson Mandela
Image
I learned that to humiliate another person is to make him suffer an unnecessarily cruel fate. Even as a boy, I defeated my opponents without dishonoring them.
Nelson Mandela
Image
After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.
Nelson Mandela
Image
Courage is not the absence of fear — it s inspiring others to move beyond it.
Nelson Mandela
Image
Why is the United States behaving so arrogantly? All that (Mr. Bush) wants is Iraqi oil.
Nelson Mandela
Image
Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice.
Nelson Mandela
Image
Before I went to jail, I was active in politics as a member of South Africa's leading organization - and I was generally busy from 7 A.M. until midnight. I never had time to sit and think.
Nelson Mandela
Image
I would like to be remembered not as anyone unique or special, but as part of a great team in this country that has struggled for many years, for decades and even centuries. The greatest glory of living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time you fall.
Nelson Mandela
Image
Our children are the rock on which our future will be built, our greatest asset as a nation. They will be the leaders of our country, the creators of our national wealth, those who care for and protect our people.
Nelson Mandela
Image
We cannot blame other people for our troubles. We are not victims of the influx of foreign people into South Africa. We must remember that it was mainly due to the aggressive and hostile policies of the apartheid regime that the economic development of our neighbours was undermined.
Nelson Mandela
Image
Peace is the greatest weapon for development that any person can have.
Nelson Mandela
Image
A new world will be won not by those who stand at a distance with their arms folded, but by those who are in the arena, whose garments are torn by storms and whose bodies are maimed in the course of the contest.
Nelson Mandela
Image
If the United States of America or Britain is having elections, they don't ask for observers from Africa or from Asia. But when we have elections, they want observers.
Nelson Mandela
Image
We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference.
Nelson Mandela
Image
Our task is not to liberate the oppressed, but to liberate the oppressors
Nelson Mandela
Image
I shall stick to our vow: never, never under any circumstances, to say anything unbecoming of the other...The trouble, of course, is that most successful men are prone to some form of vanity. There comes a stage in their lives when they consider it permissible to be egotistic and to brag to the public at large about their unique achievements.
Nelson Mandela