It is a grave error for any leader to be oversensitive in the face of criticism Nelson Mandela More Quotes by Nelson Mandela More Quotes From Nelson Mandela I did not enjoy the violence of boxing so much as the science of it. I was intrigued by how one moved one's body to protect oneself, how one used a strategy both to attack and retreat, how one paced oneself over a match. Nelson Mandela boxingviolencebody It was during those long and lonely years that my hunger for the freedom of my own people became a hunger for the freedom of all people, white and black. I knew as well as I knew anything that the oppressor must be liberated just as surely as the oppressed. Nelson Mandela lonelywhiteyears Both Bush as well, as Tony Blair, are undermining an idea which was sponsored by their predecessors. They do not care. Is it because the secretary-general of the United Nations [Ghanaian Kofi Annan] is now a black man? They never did that when secretary-generals were white. Nelson Mandela whitemenideas I've never had a single moment of depression, because I know my cause will triumph. Nelson Mandela single-momtriumphmotivational The death sentence is a barbaric act. Nelson Mandela death-sentencedeath-penaltysentences History and the generations to come will judge our leaders by the decisions they make in the coming weeks. Nelson Mandela leaderdecisionjudging A government which uses force to maintain its rule teaches the oppressed to use force to oppose it. Nelson Mandela governmentteachinguse Soccer is one of the most unifying activities amongst us. Nelson Mandela unifyingactivitysoccer I cherish my own freedom dearly, but I care even more for your freedom. Too many have died since I went to prison. Too many have suffered for the love of freedom. I owe it to their widows, to their orphans, to their mothers and their fathers, who have grieved and wept for them ..... Not only have I suffered during these long lonely wasted years. I am no less life-loving than you are. But I cannot sell the birthright of the people to be free ....... Only free men can negotiate. Prisoners cannot enter into contracts. Your freedom and mine cannot be separated. Nelson Mandela lonelymotherfather If there is a country that has committed unspeakable atrocities in the world, it is the United States of America. They don't care for human beings.... What I am condemning is that one power, with a president [George W. Bush] who has no foresight, who cannot think properly, is now wanting to plunge the world into a holocaust. Nelson Mandela countryamericathinking I appeal to the Youth and those on the ground: start talking to each other across divisions of race and political organizations. Nelson Mandela organizationracetalking Do not allow your anger to control your reason, but rather your reason to control your anger. Nelson Mandela reason You know you are really famous the day you discover you have become a comic character! Nelson Mandela comicover-youcharacter As a leader... I have always endeavored to listen to what each and every person in a discussion had to say before venturing my own opinion. Oftentimes, my own opinion will simply represent a consensus of what I heard in the discussion. I always remember the axiom; a leader is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind. Nelson Mandela nimbleshepherdsleader Justice and I became friends, though we were opposites in many ways - he was extroverted, I was introverted; he was lighthearted, I was serious. Nelson Mandela leaderoppositesjustice Even if you have a terminal disease, you don't have to sit down and mope. Enjoy life and challenge the illness that you have. Nelson Mandela enjoy-lifechallengesinspiring Greece is the mother of democracy and South Africa is its youngest daughter Nelson Mandela democracydaughtermother A bright future beckons. The onus is on us, through hard work, honesty and integrity, to reach for the stars. Nelson Mandela honestystarsintegrity Our rich and varied cultural heritage has a Nelson Mandela heritagehelpingprofound Let us give practical recognition to the injustices of the past,by building a future based on equality&social justice Nelson Mandela justicegivingpast
