966 Quotes by Nelson Mandela

As an attorney, I could be rather flamboyant in court. I did not act as though I were a black man in a white man's court, but as if everyone else - white and black - was a guest in my court. When trying a case, I often made sweeping gestures and used high-flown language.

The relations between a man and his or her god is a personal matter; you can't go out and challenge the belief of people in a superior being.

The international community ... also made an important contribution to this struggle, ... not least through the imposition of economic and other sanctions.

I knew we could improve our lives even in jail. We could come out as different men, and we could even come out with two degrees. Educating ourselves was a way to give ourselves the most powerful weapon for freedom.

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.

A man who takes away another man's freedom is a prisoner of hatred, he is locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow mindedness.

You will achieve more in this world through acts of mercy than you will through acts of retribution.

One effect of sustained conflict is to narrow our vision of what is possible. Time and time again, conflicts are resolved through shifts that were unimaginable at the start.

I hope you will be able to discuss and consider this matter urgently and tell me your decision.