Nelson Mandela

Anti-apartheid leader, South African president

Contemporary influential 54 sayings

Sayings by Nelson Mandela

I am prepared to die.

1964 — Statement during the Rivonia Trial
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

We must strive to live together in peace and harmony.

Unknown — Attributed
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

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

Unknown — Attributed
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The oppressed are allowed once every few years to decide which particular representatives of the oppressing class are to represent and repress them.

Unknown — Attributed, but often misattributed to him and more closely resembles a quote by Lenin or Marx
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Long Walk to Freedom is not a book; it is a pilgrimage.

Unknown — Attributed, referring to his autobiography
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried to not falter; I have made mistakes along the way. But with all of that, I have arrived at this point, and I stand before you as a humble servant of you, the people.

1990 — Speech upon his release from prison
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The purpose of studying history is to make certain that we do not make the same mistakes again.

Unknown — Attributed
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The quality of mercy is not strained; it droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath.

1964 — Quoting Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of Venice' during his trial
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I am not an expert on anything.

1990s — Interview
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I have always regarded myself as a man of the people, and I have always tried to live up to that ideal.

1994 — Long Walk to Freedom
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The education of children is a matter of paramount importance.

Unknown — Attributed
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The greatest weapon against injustice is education.

Unknown — Attributed
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

If the ANC does to you what the apartheid government did to you, then you must do to the ANC what you did to the apartheid government.

1990s — Warning about post-apartheid corruption
Controversial Unverifiable

The nationalisation of the mines, banks, and monopoly industries is the policy of the ANC, and a change or modification of our views in this regard is inconceivable.

1990 — Statement on economic policy
Controversial Unverifiable