966 Quotes by Nelson Mandela

The habit of attending to small things and of appreciating small courtesies is one of the important marks of a good person.

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.

Let the efforts of us all, prove that he [Martin Luther King] was not a mere dreamer when he spoke of the beauty of genuine brotherhood and peace being more precious than diamonds or silver or gold.

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 up to despair. That way lay defeat and death.

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.

I dream of an Africa, which is in peace with itself.

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.

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

When the water starts boilingit is foolish to turn off the heat.