Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader, Nobel Prize winner and philanthropist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999.

He made a profound impact on millions of peoples lives by living his life in a selfless manner to being of service to the world. Best Nelson Mandela quotes will make you believe in yourself so that you can live life courageously.

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Nelson Mandela Quotes

It always seems impossible until it’s done. ― Nelson Mandela

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. ― Nelson Mandela

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

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

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

The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. ― Nelson Mandela

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. ― Nelson Mandela

After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. ― Nelson Mandela

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

I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul. ― Nelson Mandela

May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears. ― Nelson Mandela

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

Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again. ― Nelson Mandela

Live life as though nobody is watching and express yourself as though everyone is listening. ― Nelson Mandela

Sometimes, it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom. ― Nelson Mandela

When people are determined they can overcome anything. ― Nelson Mandela

A winner is a dreamer who never gives up. ― Nelson Mandela

One of the most difficult things is not to change society, but to change yourself. ― Nelson Mandela

Difficulties break some men but make others. No axe is sharp enough to cut the soul of a sinner who keeps on trying, one armed with the hope that he will rise even in the end. ― Nelson Mandela

Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do. ― Nelson Mandela

We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right. ― Nelson Mandela

A good head and good heart are always a formidable combination. But when you add to that a literate tongue or pen, then you have something very special. ― Nelson Mandela

I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying. ― Nelson Mandela

There can be no greater gift than that of giving one’s time and energy to helping others without expecting anything in return. ― Nelson Mandela

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. ― Nelson Mandela

Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies. ― Nelson Mandela

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. ― Nelson Mandela

As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison. ― Nelson Mandela

There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered. ― Nelson Mandela

One of the things I learned when I was negotiating was that until I changed myself, I could not change others. ― Nelson Mandela

And if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love. ― Nelson Mandela

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

As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. ― Nelson Mandela

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? ― Nelson Mandela

Poverty is not an accident. Like slavery and apartheid, it is man-made and can be removed by the actions of human beings. ― Nelson Mandela

Man’s goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished. ― Nelson Mandela

We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians. ― Nelson Mandela

Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity, it is an act of justice. ― Nelson Mandela

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

I never lose. I either win or learn. ― Nelson Mandela

Your playing small does not serve the world. Who are you not to be great? ― Nelson Mandela

We commit ourselves to the construction of a complete, just, and lasting peace. ― Nelson Mandela

Forgiveness liberates the soul. It removes fear. That is why it is such a powerful weapon. ― Nelson Mandela

Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people. ― Nelson Mandela

Inspirational Quotes From Nelson Mandela That Will Change Your Life

• It is what we make out of what we have given, not what we are given, that separates one person from another. ― Nelson Mandela
• No single person can liberate a country. You can only liberate a country if you act as a collective. ― Nelson Mandela
• You sharpen your ideas by reducing yourself to the level of the people you are with and a sense of humor and a complete relaxation, even when you’re discussing serious things, does help to mobilize friends around you. And I love that. ― Nelson Mandela
• Lead from the back, and let others believe they are in front. ― Nelson Mandela
• While poverty persists, there is no true freedom. ― Nelson Mandela
• Action without vision is only passing time, vision without action is merely day dreaming, but vision with action can change the world. ― Nelson Mandela
• Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death. ― Nelson Mandela
• Fools multiply when wise men are silent. ― Nelson Mandela
• 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
• You can start changing our world for the better daily, no matter how small the action. ― Nelson Mandela
• No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite. ― Nelson Mandela
• We need to exert ourselves that much more and break out of the vicious cycle of dependence imposed on us by the financially powerful: those in command of immense market power and those who dare to fashion the world in their own image. ― Nelson Mandela
• Courageous people do not fear forgiving, for the sake of peace. ― Nelson Mandela
• Forget the past. ― Nelson Mandela
• Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all. ― Nelson Mandela
• In my country, we go to prison first and then become President. ― Nelson Mandela
• Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another. ― Nelson Mandela
• There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere. ― Nelson Mandela
• As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest. ― Nelson Mandela
• People respond in accordance to how you treat them. ― Nelson Mandela
• I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death. ― Nelson Mandela
• To deny people their human rights is to deny their very humanity. ― Nelson Mandela
• Without education, your children can never really meet the challenges they will face. So, it’s very important to give children education and explain that they should play a role for their country. ― Nelson Mandela
• I dream of the realization of the unity of Africa, whereby its leaders combine in their efforts to solve the problems of this continent. ― Nelson Mandela
• There is nothing I fear more than waking up without a program that will help me bring a little happiness to those with no resources, those who are poor, illiterate, and ridden with terminal disease. ― Nelson Mandela
• Give a child love, laughter and peace. ― Nelson Mandela
• I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all person live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die. ― Nelson Mandela
• We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference. ― Nelson Mandela