Nelson Mandela (1918 – 2013) is considered one of the personalities that have had the greatest impact in the last century of our history. His battle against the apartheid regime in his country was a display of his courage, endurance and humility.
Check out our collection of most striking quotes of Nelson Mandela that will inspire you to live your life with peace and happiness.
Difficulties break some men but make others.
– Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela Quotes
1. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela
2. “Forgiveness liberates the soul. It removes fear. That is why it is such a powerful weapon.” – Nelson Mandela
3. “Once a person is determined to help themselves, there is nothing that can stop them.” – Nelson Mandela
4. “It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another.” – Nelson Mandela
5. “Live life as though nobody is watching, and express yourself as though everyone is listening.” – Nelson Mandela
6. “Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.” – Nelson Mandela
7. “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Nelson Mandela
8. “After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.” – Nelson Mandela
9. “Resentment is like drinking poison and hoping it will kill your enemies.” – Nelson Mandela
10. “When a deep injury is done to us, we never heal until we forgive.” – Nelson Mandela
Inspirational Nelson Mandela Quotes
11. “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
12. “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” – Nelson Mandela
13. “A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens but its lowest ones.” – Nelson Mandela
14. “As we let our own light shine we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” – Nelson Mandela
15. “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” – Nelson Mandela
16. “As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest.” – Nelson Mandela
17. “If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.” – Nelson Mandela
18. “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.” – Nelson Mandela
19. “No single person can liberate a country. You can only liberate a country if you act as a collective.” – Nelson Mandela
20. “Peace is the greatest weapon for development that any person can have.” – Nelson Mandela
21. “There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere.” – Nelson Mandela
22. “Do not judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” – Nelson Mandela
23. “Let freedom reign. The sun never set on so glorious a human achievement.” – Nelson Mandela
24. “Poverty is not an accident like slavery & apartheid; it is man-made and can be removed by the actions of human beings.” – Nelson Mandela
25. “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
26. “There can be no keener revelation of a society soul than the way in which it treats its children.” – Nelson Mandela
27. “We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference.” – Nelson Mandela
28. “When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw.” – Nelson Mandela
29. “Fools multiply when wise men are silent.” – Nelson Mandela
30. “In my country we go to prison first and then become president.” – Nelson Mandela
31. “You will achieve more in this world through acts of mercy than you will through acts of retribution.” – Nelson Mandela
32. “I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.” – Nelson Mandela
33. “There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.” – Nelson Mandela
34. “Lead from the back and let others believe they are in front.” – Nelson Mandela
35. “Death is something inevitable. When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace.” – Nelson Mandela
36. “Sometimes, it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom.” – Nelson Mandela
37. “One cannot be prepared for something while secretly believing it will not happen.” – Nelson Mandela
38. “I am not an optimist, but a great believer of hope.” – Nelson Mandela
39. “Appearances matter — and remember to smile.” – Nelson Mandela
40. “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” – Nelson Mandela
41. “A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.” – Nelson Mandela
42. “Courageous people do not fear forgiving, for the sake of peace.” – Nelson Mandela
43. “I never lose. I either win or learn.” – Nelson Mandela
44. “We can’t afford to be killing one another.” – Nelson Mandela
45. “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela
46. “A winner is a dreamer who never gives up.” – Nelson Mandela
47. “Money wont create success, the fredom to make it will.” – Nelson Mandela
48. “We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.” – Nelson Mandela
49. “May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.” – Nelson Mandela
50. “A leader… is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.” – Nelson Mandela
51. “I dream of an Africa which is in peace with itself.” – Nelson Mandela
