Nelson Mandela Quotes

Sometimes, I feel like one who is on the sidelines, who has missed life itself.
Nelson Mandela

Life, Sometimes, Missed

Unlike some politicians, I can admit to a mistake.
Nelson Mandela

Mistake, Admit, Unlike

Forget the past.
Nelson Mandela

Moving On, Forget, Past

I was not a messiah, but an ordinary man who had become a leader because of extraordinary circumstances.
Nelson Mandela

Leader, Become, Ordinary

Intervention only works when the people concerned seem to be keen for peace.
Nelson Mandela

Peace, Seem, Works

I have always regarded myself, in the first place, as an African patriot.
Nelson Mandela

Place, African, Patriot

I have retired, but if there's anything that would kill me it is to wake up in the morning not knowing what to do.
Nelson Mandela

Morning, Knowing, Wake

I should tie myself to no particular system of society other than of socialism.
Nelson Mandela

Society, Socialism, System

Only free men can negotiate. A prisoner cannot enter into contracts.
Nelson Mandela

Men, Cannot, Free

The titanic effort that has brought liberation to South Africa, and ensured the total liberation of Africa, constitutes an act of redemption for the black people of the world.
Nelson Mandela

Black, Effort, Act

There are many people who feel that it is useless and futile to continue talking about peace and non-violence against a government whose only reply is savage attacks on an unarmed and defenceless people.
Nelson Mandela

Peace, Government, Against

I made a mistake by being ejected from the presidency. Next time, I will choose a Cabinet which will allow me to be life President.
Nelson Mandela

Life, Time, Made

It is wise to persuade people to do things and make them think it was their own idea.
Nelson Mandela

Wise, Idea, Persuade

I really wanted to retire and rest and spend more time with my children, my grandchildren and of course with my wife.
Nelson Mandela

Time, Wife, Children

I can't pretend that I'm brave and that I can beat the whole world.
Nelson Mandela

Brave, Whole, Pretend

I stand here before you not as a prophet, but as a humble servant of you, the people.
Nelson Mandela

Humble, Before, Here

I started to make a study of the art of war and revolution and, whilst abroad, underwent a course in military training. If there was to be guerrilla warfare, I wanted to be able to stand and fight with my people and to share the hazards of war with them.
Nelson Mandela

War, Art, Fight

If you are poor, you are not likely to live long.
Nelson Mandela

Live, Long, Poor

Nonviolence is a good policy when the conditions permit.
Nelson Mandela

Good, Policy, Conditions

The United States has made serious mistakes in the conduct of its foreign affairs, which have had unfortunate repercussions long after the decisions were taken.
Nelson Mandela

Mistakes, Long, Made

You know, you can only lead them from behind.
Nelson Mandela

Africans require, want, the franchise on the basis of one man one vote. They want political independence.
Nelson Mandela

Political, Vote, Franchise

Before I went to jail, I was active in politics as a member of South Africa's leading organization - and I was generally busy from 7 A.M. until midnight. I never had time to sit and think.
Nelson Mandela

Politics, Time, Busy

By ancestry, I was born to rule.
Nelson Mandela

Born, Rule, Ancestry

I have been influenced in my thinking by both west and east.
Nelson Mandela

Thinking, Both, West

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Biography

Nationality: South African

Type: Statesman

Born: July 18, 1918

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