December 5, 2013 will be remembered in History, the world lost a
hero of a century. Humanity will always remember the day we lost one of the
most influential public personalities of all times. “Madiba” lived
a life that gave hope to generations upon generations of people through his
work (Writing) and fight for human rights and justice. We all knew Nelson
Mandela’s story and everyone was profoundly touched by his life.
He started as a
political prisoner on Robben Island to the Head of state and the leader of the anti-Apartheid
Movement; he dedicated his life to being the voice of the unheard and the
suffering. He showed us that through kindness and love, everything is possible
and dreams can be goals and in fact be achieved. His attitude and reconciliation
with his oppressors showed us to be forgiving rather than seek revenge.
Mandela’s persistence
and undeterred stance reminded us the true meaning of remaining focus in whatever
you believe in no matter what the situation around you may be. Even after being
imprisoned for more 27 Years, he did not give up in his fight; he walked out of
that prison and led the long walk to freedom.
So, as a tribute to a
legend who has and will continue to inspire generations to come, here is a list
of Madiba’s most influential quotes.
“I learned that courage
was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he
who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
“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.”
“Resentment is like drinking poison and then
hoping it will kill your enemies.”
“Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by
how many times I fell down and got back up again.”
“A fundamental concern for others in our
individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the
better place we so passionately dreamed of.”
“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.”
“I learned that courage was not the absence of
fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel
afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
“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.”
“Resentment is like drinking poison and then
hoping it will kill your enemies.”
“Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by
how many times I fell down and got back up again.”
“A fundamental concern for others in our
individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the
better place we so passionately dreamed of.”
“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.”