Inspiring Quotes From Nelson Mandela

“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.” – Nelson Mandela

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.  The brave man is not the he who does not feel afraid but he who conquers that fear.” – Nelson Mandela

“A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.” – Nelson Mandela

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela

“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.” – Nelson Mandela

“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.” – Nelson Mandela

“As I walked out the door toward my freedom, I knew that if I did not leave all the anger, hatred and bitterness behind, that I would still be in prison.” – Nelson Mandela

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

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most.  We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?’  Actually, who are you not to be?  You are a child of God.  Your playing small does not serve the world.  There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.  It’s not just in some of us, it’s in all of us.  And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” – Nelson Mandela

“Lead from the back and let others believe they are in front.” – Nelson Mandela

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

“We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.” – Nelson Mandela

“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.” – Nelson Mandela

“It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve.  But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.” – Nelson Mandela

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Nelson Mandela

“One cannot be prepared for something while secretly believing it will not happen.” – Nelson Mandela

“When people are determined, they can overcome anything.” – Nelson Mandela

“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.” – Nelson Mandela

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela

“We should never forget those on whose shoulders we stand and those who paid the supreme price for freedom.” – Nelson Mandela