Quotes by 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying. ”

“ Lead from the back — and let others believe they are in front. ”

“ 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. ”

“ I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can only rest for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not ended. ”

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

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

“ 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. ”

“ Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”