Haile Selassie I was Crown Prince and Regent of the Ethiopian Empire from 1916 to 1928, and then King and Regent from 1928 to 1930, and finally Emperor from 1930 to 1974. He is a defining figure in modern Ethiopian history. Profoundly inspirational Haile Selassie quotes will challenge the way you think, change the way you live and transform your whole life.
Famous Haile Selassie Quotes
Sometimes things that do not appear inspired by courage demand great courage. Halie Selassie
Outside the kingdom of the Lord there is no nation which is greater than any other. God and history will remember your judgment. Haile Selassie
Rich and poor have always existed and always will. Why? Because there are those that work and those that don’t, those wish to earn their living and those that prefer to do nothing. Those that work, that want to work, are not poor. Halie Selassie
We wish to recall here the spirit of tolerance shown by Our Lord Jesus Christ when He gave forgiveness to all including those that crucified Him. Haile Selassie
For it is true that Our Lord the Creator sends us into the world as equals, but it is also true that when one is born one is neither rich nor poor. One is naked. It is later on that one becomes rich or poor, according to one’s drive. Halie Selassie
Do not worship me, I am not God. I’m only a man. I worship Jesus Christ. Haile Selassie
Yes, We too are aware distributing alms serves no useful purpose. Because there is only one means to solve the poverty problem work. Halie Selassie
That until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned That until there are no longer first class and second class citizens of any nation; That until the color of a man’s skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes; That until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to race; That until that day, the dream of lasting peace and world citizenship and the rule of international morality will remain but a fleeting illusion, to be pursued but never attained. Haile Selassie
We have said that whoever doesn’t work because he doesn’t want to is poor. We have said wealth has to be gained through hard work. We have said those who don’t work starve. Halie Selassie
True love is like ghosts, which everyone talks about and few have seen. Haile Selassie
We add that the capacity to earn depends on the individual Each individual is responsible for his misfortunes, his fate. It is wrong to expect help to fall from above, as a gift Wealth has to be deserved! Halie Selassie
When African righteous people come together, the world will come together. Haile Selassie
Work is one of the commandments of Our Lord the Creator! Halie Selassie
Peace is a day to day problem, the product of a multitude of events and judgments. Peace is not an is, it is a ‘becoming. Haile Selassie
Young people will be young people. You can’t change the uncouth manners of the young. Halie Selassie
Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph. Haile Selassie
There is never anything new under the sun. Examine the past You’ll see that the disobedience of the young has occurred all thru history. The young don’t know what they want. They can‘t know it because they lack experience, they lack wisdom. Halie Selassie
Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it. Haile Selassie
A man who says I have learned enough and will learn no further should be considered as knowing nothing at all. Haile Selassie
It is for the head of the state to show the young which path to tread and to punish them when they revolt against authority. It is up to us. Halie Selassie
Alcohol may be man’s worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy. Haile Selassie
One should examine things thoroughly. One then discovers that the death penalty is just and necessary. For disobedience, for instance. Why? Because it is in the interests of the people. We have abolished many things. We have abolished slavery, too. But not the death penalty, We can’t abolish that. It would be like renouncing punishment for those who dare to defy authority. Halie Selassie
The Ethiopian government’s use of the railway from Djibouti to Addis Ababa was, in practice, a hazardous regards transport of arms intended for the Ethiopian forces. Haile Selassie
I was a very serious, very diligent youth. I was sometimes punished, but do you know why? Because what I was made to study did not seem enough and I wished to study further. I wanted to stay on at school after lessons were over. I were loath to amuse myself, to go riding, to play. I didn’t want to waste time on games. Halie Selassie
As the essence of our existence it embodies our culture, true identity, nationhood and destiny. Haile Selassie
It is my opinion that the world hasn’t changed at all. I believe that such changes have modified nothing. I don’t even notice any difference between monarchies and republics To me they appear as two substantially similar methods of governing a nation. Halie Selassie
If you are open minded and ready to learn, there are many things which you can learn not only from books and instructors but from the very life experience itself. Haile Selassie
Besides, one should consider the interests of a nation before subverting it with words. Democracy is necessary in some cases and We believe some African peoples might adopt it. But in other cases it is harmful, a mistake. Halie Selassie
It is much easier to show compassion to animals. They are never wicked. Haile Selassie
It is necessary to proceed slowly, cautiously, to be a watchful father for one’s children. Our realities are not yours. And Our misfortunes are endless. Halie Selassie
Peace demands the united efforts of us all. Who can foresee what spark might ignite the fuse? Haile Selassie
Even at the hardest, most painful moments, We have never regretted or cursed our fate. Never. And why should we have? Halie Selassie
Many discouraging hours will arise before the rainbow of accomplished goals will appear on the horizon. Haile Selassie
We were born of royal blood, authority is ours by right. Since it is ours by right and since our Lord the Creator has deemed we might serve our people as a father serves his son, being a monarch is a great joy to us. It’s what we were born for and what we have always lived for. Halie Selassie
Africa’s mineral wealth is great; we should co operate in its development. Haile Selassie
A king must never regret the use of force. Painful necessities are still necessities and a king must not stop when he is faced with them. Not even when they hurt him. We have never been afraid to be harsh It is the king knows what’s best for the people, the people themselves don’t know it. Halie Selassie
Let us set our goals too high; let us demand more of ourselves than we believe we possess. Haile Selassie
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As regards punishment, for instance. We must apply what Our conscience dictates, nothing more. And We never suffer when We inflict punishment be cause We believe in that punishment, We trust Our judgment completely. So it must be and so it is. Halie Selassie
We have finished the job, what shall we do with the tools? Haile Selassie
We devote a great deal of time to prayer and attend church as often as possible every morning when We can. We receive the sacraments every Sunday regularly. But We don’t consider Our religion alone valid and have granted Our people the freedom to observe any religion they please. Halie Selassie
Knowledge is power. If it is not applied properly to create, let there be no doubts, it will destroy. Haile Selassie
We believe in the reunification of the churches. Halie Selassie
An awareness of our past is essential to the establishment of our personality and our identity as Africans. Haile Selassie
He Mussolini is dead and what purpose is served by passing judgment on the dead? Death changes everything, sweeps everything away. Even mistakes. We dislike mentioning hatred or scorn in connection with a man who is no longer able to answer us. Halie Selassie
I have lived too long to cherish many illusions about the essential high mindedness of men when brought into stark confrontation with the issue of control over their security, and their property interests. Haile Selassie
History doesn’t forget but man can. He can also forgive, if he is kind hearted. And we try to be kind. Yes, we have forgiven. But not forgotten. No, not forgotten. We remember everything, everything! Halie Selassie
We should accept diversity in culture and tradition and coexist peacefully. Haile Selassie
That until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned That until there are no longer first class and second class citizens of any nation; That until the color of a man’s skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes; That until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to race; That until that day, the dream of lasting peace and world citizenship and the rule of international morality will remain but a fleeting illusion, to be pursued but never attained; And until the ignoble and unhappy regimes that hold our brothers in Angola, in Mozambique and in South Africa in subhuman bondage have been toppled and destroyed; Until bigotry and prejudice and malicious and inhuman self interest have been replaced by understanding and tolerance and good will; Until all Africans stand and speak as free beings, equal in the eyes of all men, as they are in the eyes of Heaven; Until that day, the African continent will not know peace. We Africans will fight, if necessary, and we know that we shall win, as we are confident in the victory of good over evil. Haile Selassie
This world was not created piecemeal. Africa was born no later and no earlier than any other geographical area on this globe. Haile Selassie
Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph. Haile Selassie
Africans, no more and no less than other men, possess all human attributes, talents and deficiencies, virtues and faults. Haile Selassie
That generation is fortunate indeed which learns from other than its own bitter experience. Haile Selassie
The fruits of one’s sweat and mental labour are always rewarding. Haile Selassie
If you are open minded and ready to learn, there are many things which you can learn not only from books and instructors but from the very life experience itself. Haile Selassie
Thousands of years ago, civilizations flourished in Africa which suffer not at all by comparison with those of other continents. In those centuries, Africans were politically free and economically independent. Their social patterns were their own and their cultures truly indigenous. Haile Selassie
No one should question the faith of others, for no human being can judge the ways of God. Haile Selassie
It is us today. It will be you tomorrow. Haile Selassie
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Our youth must be steadfast and take advantage of the benefits of modern civilization. Do not fall prey to idleness for it shall be a curse to you and to succeeding generations. You must set yourselves us as examples of determination and hard work. Plan your time and use both your physical and mental powers purposefully and productively. Haile Selassie
Leadership does not mean domination. The world is always well supplied with people who wish to rule and dominate others. Haile Selassie
We must become bigger than we have been more courageous, greater in spirit, larger in outlook. We must become members of a new race, overcoming petty prejudice, owing our ultimate allegiance not to nations but to our fellow men within the human community. Haile Selassie
The true leader is a different sort; he seeks effective activity which has a truly beneficient purpose. He inspires others to follow in his wake, and holding aloft the torch of wisdom, leads the way for society to realize its genuinely great aspirations. Haile Selassie
A man who says I have learned enough and will learn no further should be considered as knowing nothing at all. Haile Selassie
Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love. Haile Selassie
Many discouraging hours will arise before the rainbow of accomplished goals will appear on the horizon. Haile Selassie
Imagination, devotion, perseverance, together with divine grace, will assure your success. Haile Selassie
Knowledge is power. If it is not applied properly to create, let there be no doubts, it will destroy. Haile Selassie
The United Nations continues to sense as the forum where nations whose interests clash may lay their cases before world opinion. Haile Selassie
Spiritual power is the eternal guide, in this life and the life after, for man ranks supreme among all creatures. Led forward by spiritual power, man can reach the summit destined for him by the Great Creator. Haile Selassie
Here is our opportunity and our challenge. If the nuclear powers are prepared to declare a truce, let us seize the moment to strengthen the institutions and procedures which will serve as the means for the pacific settlement of disputes among men. Haile Selassie
Any who may wish to profit himself alone from the knowledge given him, rather than serve others through the knowledge he has gained from learning, is betraying knowledge and rendering it worthless. Haile Selassie
As man’s faculty attains higher level of development and sophistication, so do his wants in life. Haile Selassie
Democracy, Republic What do these words signify? What have they changed in the world? Have men become better, more loyal, kinder? Are the people happier? All goes on as before, as always. Illusions, illusions. Haile Selassie
The Charter of the United Nations expresses the noblest aspirations of man. Haile Selassie
There is always something moving, brewing. There are ambitious people everywhere. Wicked people. The only thing to do is to deal with them with courage and decision. One must beware of uncertainty, weakness or conflicting emotions they lead to defeat. Haile Selassie
It is not only war that can stop war but men of goodwill, conscious of their mission can deal with such deadly enemy. Haile Selassie
There is no power or authority without responsibility, and he who accepts the one cannot escape or evade the other. Haile Selassie
Mahatma Gandhi will always be remembered as long as free men and those who love freedom and justice live. Haile Selassie
It is important that spiritual advancement must keep pace with material advancement. When this comes to be realized man’s journey toward higher and more lasting values will show more marked progress while the evil in him recedes into the background. Knowing that material and spiritual progress are essential to man, we must ceaselessly work for the equal attainment of both. Only then shall we be able to acquire that absolute inner calm so necessary to our well being. Haile Selassie
You must always remember that to lead, one must first learn to follow. Haile Selassie
A well organized education should not be one which prepares students for a good remuneration alone. It should be one that can help and guide them towards acquiring clear thinking, a fruitful mind, and an elevated spirit. Haile Selassie
It is better to die with freedom than without it. Haile Selassie
Education develops the intellect; and the intellect distinguishes man from other creatures. It is education that enables man to harness nature and utilize her resources for the well being and improvement of his life. Haile Selassie
As is commonly said, to start anything is simple; to develop it and bring it to a successful culmination takes great effort. Haile Selassie
A house built on granite and strong foundations, not even the onslaught of pouring rain, gushing torrents and strong winds will be able to pull down. Some people have written the story of my life representing as truth what in fact derives from ignorance, error or envy; but they cannot shake the truth from its place, even if they attempt to make others believe it. Haile Selassie
The temple of the most high begins with the human body, which houses our life, essence of our existence. Haile Selassie
Man cannot live by bread alone. Man after all is composed of intellect and soul. Haile Selassie
There is nothing as precious to man as a sound mind in a sound body and it is essential that the physical well being of our people merits as much attention as its spiritual welfare. Haile Selassie
We must act to shape and mold the future, and leave our imprint on events as they slip past into history. Haile Selassie
Spirituality is not theology or ideology. It is simple a way of life, pure and original as was given by the most high. Haile Selassie
Do you agree with these powerful quotes from Haile Selassie? I would love to know. Please let me know your favorite Haile Selassie quotes in the comment section below.
