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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

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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
Went
Arguments
Understand
Spokes
Calibre
Ever
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Discussion
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Men
Argument
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Leader
Evaluate
Issues
Observers

More quotes by Nelson Mandela

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I want to sleep for eternity with a broad smile on my face. I want those who remain behind to say this man has done his duty.
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Let the efforts of us all, prove that he [Martin Luther King] was not a mere dreamer when he spoke of the beauty of genuine brotherhood and peace being more precious than diamonds or silver or gold
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Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another.
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There's no such thing as part freedom.
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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.
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Without language, one cannot talk to people and understand them one cannot share their hopes and aspirations, grasp their history, appreciate their poetry, or savor their songs.
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Teach the children that Africans are not one iota inferior to Europeans.
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The laws that stopped blacks from voting were the worst, because they prevented blacks from voting someone into parliament who could change the other laws. Even though the blacks were the majority of the population, they were still not getting a say.
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There are times when a leader must move out ahead of the flock, go off in a new direction, confident that he is leading his people the right way.
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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.
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I pay tribute to the endless heroism of youth.
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I cannot conceive of Israel withdrawing if Arab states do not recognize Israel, within secure borders.
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Greece is the mother of democracy and South Africa is its youngest daughter
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When the water starts boiling it is foolish to turn off the heat.
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Once a person is determined to help themselves, there is nothing that can stop them.
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No child in Africa, and in fact anywhere in the world, should be denied education.
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An organisation can only carry out its mandate if there is discipline, and where there is no discipline there can be no real progress
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Our rich and varied cultural heritage has a profound power to help build our nation
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As we judge others so are we judged by others. The suspicious will always be tormented by suspicion.
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Unlike some politicians, I can admit to a mistake.
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