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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
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Issues
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Arguments

More quotes by Nelson Mandela

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Men come and men go, I have come and I will go when my time comes
Nelson Mandela
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I admire young people who are concerned with the affairs of their community and nation perhaps because I also became involved in struggle whist I was still at school.
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We must also know that even before liberation in 1994 there [in South Africa] were people with resources who tried to share with those who were deprived.
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Racism is a blight on the human conscience
Nelson Mandela
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Disasters will always come and go, leaving their victims either completely broken or steeled and seasoned and better able to face the next crop of challenges that may occur.
Nelson Mandela
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In the end, reconciliation is a spiritual process, which requires more than just a legal framework. It has to happen in the hearts and minds of people.
Nelson Mandela
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You can never have an impact on society if you have not changed yourself.
Nelson Mandela
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We cannot proclaim this century the African Century and then ignore the AIDS pandemic, as some political leaders are apt to do. To claim this century the African Century is to declare war on AIDS.
Nelson Mandela
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There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere.
Nelson Mandela
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The United States of America is a threat to world peace. Because what [America] is saying is that if you are afraid of a veto in the Security Council, you can go outside and take action and violate the sovereignty of other countries. That is the message they are sending to the world. That must be condemned in the strongest terms.
Nelson Mandela
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There is little favorable to be said about poverty, but it was often an incubator of true friendship. Many people will appear to befriend you when you are wealthy, but precious few will do the same when you are poor. If wealth is a magnet, poverty is a kind of repellent. Yet, poverty often brings out the true generosity in others.
Nelson Mandela
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It is our duty to give support to the brother leader ... especially in regards to the sanctions which are not hitting just him, they are hitting the ordinary masses of the people ... our African brothers and sisters.
Nelson Mandela
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We tried in our simple way to lead our life in a manner that may make a difference to those of others.
Nelson Mandela
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I was able to change my life by knowing that if somebody does something good for you, you have to respond.
Nelson Mandela
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We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians.
Nelson Mandela
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I enjoyed the discipline and solitariness of long-distance running, which allowed me to escape from the hurly-burly of school life.
Nelson Mandela
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Even behind prison walls I can see the heavy clouds and the blue sky over the horizon
Nelson Mandela
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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
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Strong convictions are the secret of surviving deprivation your spirit can be full even when your stomach is empty.
Nelson Mandela
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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