Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (1918 – 2013) was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader, and philanthropist, who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999.

983. To deny people their human rights is to deny their very humanity.

984. 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.

985. I dream of the realization of the unity of Africa, whereby its leaders combine in their efforts to solve the problems of this continent.

986. 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.

987. 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.

975. 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.

976. Courageous people do not fear forgiving, for the sake of peace.

977. When people are determined they can overcome anything.

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

979. In my country, we go to prison first and then become President.

980. Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another.

981. There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere.

982. As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest.

419. It always seems impossible until it's done.

420. May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.

421. I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.

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

423. Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

424. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward.

425. I never lose. I either win or learn.

426. While poverty persists, there is no true freedom.

427. 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.

257. Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

258. A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.

259. It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership.

260. 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.

261. No country can really develop unless its citizens are educated.

262. Prison life, fortunately, I spent a lot of years, about 18 years with other prisoners, and, as I say, they enriched your soul.

263. Unlike some politicians, I can admit to a mistake.