120 Nelson Mandela Quotes On Freedom And Perseverance
Nelson Mandela was a pioneering anti-apartheid revolutionary and former President of South Africa who endured many struggles in his lifelong fight for freedom and equality. As one of the most inspirational and transformative figures of the 20th century, Mandela’s powerful words of wisdom continue to guide and motivate people around the world.
This article features 120 of Mandela’s most memorable and impactful quotes on the themes of freedom, social justice, courage, perseverance and reconciliation. The selected quotes have been carefully sourced from Mandela’s speeches, writings and interviews over several decades of his political career and presidency.
The quotes are organized thematically to tell the story of Mandela’s remarkable life and leadership. Early sections will focus on his teachings about the meaning and value of freedom as well as his philosophy of non-violent civil disobedience in combating oppression. Later quotes provide vision and advice for building an inclusive, equitable and compassionate society in the aftermath of conflict and change. Taken together, Mandela’s words showcase the unbreakable human spirit and celebrate the ongoing global struggle for democracy, human rights and peace.
1. Inspiring words on overcoming adversity
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – 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
“Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” – 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
“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
“A good head and good heart are always a formidable combination.” – Nelson Mandela
“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.” – 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.” – Nelson Mandela
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela
“How can one be committed to peace and dedicated to the people and not be committed to increasing the power of the people?” – Nelson Mandela
“Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people.” – Nelson Mandela
“Like many prisoners before me and sadly many millions after me, I faced the hostile world with little more than my own body and whatever integrity I still could muster.” – 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
“To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.” – 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
“With courage and perseverance, one can overcome even the most difficult obstacles.” – Nelson Mandela
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.” – Nelson Mandela
“Only free men can negotiate; prisoners cannot enter into contracts.” – Nelson Mandela
“It always seems impossible until its done.” – Nelson Mandela
2. Powerful messages about the fight for freedom
“After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.” – 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
“Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” – 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
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela
“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.” – 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
“A winner is a dreamer who never gives up.” – 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
“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
“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
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela
“Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.” – Nelson Mandela
“Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people.” – 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.” – Nelson Mandela
“The effect of imprisonment is to make a man come out with bitterness or humility. I chose the latter so that I could meet people with an open and pleasant spirit.” – 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
“A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.” – 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
“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
3. Thoughts on winning through non-violence and unity
“We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.” – Nelson Mandela
“If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.” – Nelson Mandela
“I always knew that deep down in every human heart, there is mercy and generosity.” – 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
“Learn from the past, set vivid, detailed goals for the future, and live in the only moment of time over which you have any control: now.” – Nelson Mandela
“A good leader can engage in a debate frankly and thoroughly, knowing that at the end he and the other side must be closer, and thus emerge stronger. You don’t have that idea when you are arrogant, superficial, and uninformed.” – 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
“If people are denied a sense of hope, the revolt of the soul can destroy nations just as surely as revolts of the body have destroyed empires throughout history.” – Nelson Mandela
“Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.” – Nelson Mandela
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – 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
“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
“Lead from the back — and let others believe they are in front.” – Nelson Mandela
“When a woman succeeds, society benefits because all benefit from the inputs of both men and women.” – Nelson Mandela
“I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.” – Nelson Mandela
“After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.” – 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
“A good head and good heart are always a formidable combination.” – Nelson Mandela
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – 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
4. Perseverance through patient resistance and hope
“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
“Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” – Nelson Mandela
“After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.” – Nelson Mandela
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – 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.” – Nelson Mandela
“A winner is a dreamer who never gives up.” – 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
“If I had my time over I would do the same again. So would any man who dares call himself a man.” – Nelson Mandela
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.” – Nelson Mandela
“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.” – 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
“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
“In my country we go to prison first and then become President.” – Nelson Mandela
“I am no more virtuous or deserving than the average man, but I found myself in circumstances where I was given an opportunity to leave my footprint in the sand of time.” – Nelson Mandela
“Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people.” – Nelson Mandela
“Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.” – Nelson Mandela
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela
“Difficulties break some men but make others.” – Nelson Mandela
“I am not truly free if I am taking away someone else’s freedom, just as surely as I am not free when my freedom is taken from me. The oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity.” – Nelson Mandela
“A winner is a dreamer who never gives up.” – Nelson Mandela
5. Wisdom on equality, reconciliation and compassion
“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
“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
“A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.” – 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
“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
“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
“Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life.” – Nelson Mandela
“For to deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.” – Nelson Mandela
“As I have said, the first thing is to be honest with yourself. You can never have an impact on society if you have not changed yourself… Great peacemakers are all people of integrity, of honesty, but humility.” – Nelson Mandela
“Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.” – Nelson Mandela
“A good leader can engage in a debate frankly and thoroughly, knowing that at the end he and the other side must be closer, and thus emerge stronger. You don’t have that idea when you are arrogant, superficial, and uninformed.” – 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
“I am not truly free if I am taking away someone else’s freedom, just as surely as I am not free when my freedom is taken from me. The oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity.” – Nelson Mandela
“As I have said, you will not find as good men as here. So I cannot in good conscience ask them to release you unilaterally. But if you and they can talk and find a solution I am at peace with that. And if that fails, I believe that with time and patience light will come, even in the darkness.” – 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
“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
“If there are dreams about a beautiful South Africa, there are also roads that lead to their goal. Two of these roads could be named Goodness and Forgiveness.” – 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
“No one is born hating another person because of the colour 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
6. Insights into change through courage and determination
“Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” – Nelson Mandela
“Freedom is indivisible. As long as anybody is oppressed, nobody is free.” – Nelson Mandela
“People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love.” – Nelson Mandela
“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Nelson Mandela
“Difficulties break some men but make others. No axe is sharp enough to cut the soul of a sannyasin.” – Nelson Mandela
“After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.” – Nelson Mandela
“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.” – Nelson Mandela
“We must use time creatively, and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.” – Nelson Mandela
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – 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.” – Nelson Mandela
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela
“I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.” – Nelson Mandela
“It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another.” – 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
“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
“Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another.” – Nelson Mandela
“Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people.” – Nelson Mandela
“No one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails. A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.” – Nelson Mandela
“Courageous people do not fear forgiving, for the sake of peace.” – Nelson Mandela
Conclusion
Nelson Mandela was a symbol of hope, courage and perseverance who fought against apartheid in South Africa. The 120 quotes featured from him provide powerful messages that still resonate today on the universal struggle for freedom and human rights. Mandela believed that everyone has the power to shape their own destiny and make a difference, regardless of challenges. His words remind us that through unity and collective action, oppressed people can overcome even the darkest of times. I encourage readers to reflect deeply on Mandela’s inspirational quotes, which highlight the importance of values like resilience, compassion, and never giving up on achieving a just world for all.
