Nelson Mandela

We recall the joy and excitement of a nation that had found itself, the collective relief that we had stepped out of our restrictive past, and the expectant air of walking into a brighter future.

Political division, based on color, is entirely artificial; and when it disappears, so will the domination of one color group by another.

A political movement must keep in touch with reality and the prevailing conditions. Long speeches, the shaking of fists, the banging of tables, and strongly worded resolutions out of touch with the objective conditions do not bring about mass action and can do a great deal of harm to the organization and the struggle we serve.

The United States of America is a threat to world peace. Because what [America] is saying is that if you are afraid of a veto in the Security Council, you can go outside and take action and violate the sovereignty of other countries. That is the message they are sending to the world. That must be condemned in the strongest terms.

The USA is a threat to world peace. Who are they to pretend that they are the policemen of the world, the ones that should decide for the people of Iraq what should be done with their government and their leadership. All that [the USA] wants is Iraqi oil. [Blair is] simply the foreign minister of the United States. He is no longer prime minister of Britain.

To a freedom fighter hope is what a lifebelt is to a swimmer - a guarantee that one will keep afloat and free from danger.

Take it upon yourself where you live to make people around you joyful and full of hope.

In the end, reconciliation is a spiritual process, which requires more than just a legal framework. It has to happen in the hearts and minds of people.

It is also the fate of leadership to be misunderstood. For historians, academics, writers and journalists to reflect great lives according to their own subjective canon.

As we judge others so are we judged by others. The suspicious will always be tormented by suspicion.

You negotiate in bad faith if you do not forgive your adversary.

I'm not going to sit here and argue with you. Just PUT THE BLOODY METER ON.

We cannot blame other people for our troubles. We are not victims of the influx of foreign people into South Africa. We must remember that it was mainly due to the aggressive and hostile policies of the apartheid regime that the economic development of our neighbours was undermined.

Why is the United States behaving so arrogantly? All that (Mr. Bush) wants is Iraqi oil.

Even behind prison walls I can see the heavy clouds and the blue sky over the horizon

We owe our children Ђ' the most vulnerable citizens in any society Ђ' a life free from violence and fear.

There is a universal respect and even admiration for those who are humble and simple by nature, and who have absolute confidence in all human beings irrespective of their social status.

We can build a society grounded on friendship and our common humanity - a society founded on tolerance. That is the only road open to us.

Those who can't imagine change reveal the deficits of their imaginations, not the difficulty of change.

There can be no greater gift than that of giving one's time and energy to help others without expecting anything in return.

No child in Africa, and in fact anywhere in the world, should be denied education.

For every woman and girl violently attacked, we reduce our humanity. For every woman forced into unprotected sex because men demand this, we destroy dignity and pride. Every woman who has to sell her life for sex we condemn to a lifetime in prison. For every moment we remain silent, we conspire against our women. For every woman infected by HIV, we destroy a generation.

We must look within ourselves, become responsible and provide fresh solutions if we ever want to do more than complain,or make excuses.

The more informed you are, the less arrogant and aggressive you are.

Living isn't just about doing for yourself,but what you do for others as well.

It is always impossible until it is done.

I am fundamentally an optimist.

In prison, illusions can offer comfort.

When we read we are able to travel to many places, meet many people and understand the world.

AIDS is no longer just a disease, it is a human rights issue.