“Freedom would be meaningless without security in the home and in the streets” ~ Nelson Mandela during Freedom Day celebrations, Pretoria, South Africa, 27 April 1995
"It is a grave error for any leader to be oversensitive in the face of criticism, to conduct discussions as if he or she is a schoolmaster talking to less informed and inexperienced learners." ~ Nelson Mandela from the unpublished sequel to his autobiography, circa 1998
"I am not truly free if I am taking away someone else’s freedom, just as sure as I am not free when my humanity is taken from me. The oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity." ~ Nelson Mandela from Long Walk to Freedom, 1994
"Our future as human beings depends on our intelligent and prudent use of the oceans. And that in turn will depend on the determined efforts of dedicated women and men from all parts of our planet." ~ Nelson Mandela during the 5th Session of the Independent World Commission on the Oceans, Cape Town, South Africa, 11 November 1997
"We operate in a world which is searching for a better life – without the imprisonment of dogma." ~ Nelson Mandela during the closing session of the 50th ANC National Conference, North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, South Africa, 20 December 1997
"A new world will be won not by those who stand at a distance with their arms folded, but by those who are in the arena" ~ Nelson Mandela from a letter to Winnie Mandela, written on Robben Island, 23 June 1969
"Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings." ~ Nelson Mandela during the launch of the 'Make Poverty History' Campaign, Trafalgar Square, London, England, 3 February 2005
"Your parents and elders sacrificed much so that you should have freedom without suffering what they did. Use this precious right to ensure that the darkness of the past never returns." ~ Nelson Mandela during an address at the Opening of the President's Budget Debate, Parliament, Cape Town, South Africa, 2 March 1999
"Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people." ~ Nelson Mandela during the Chief Albert Luthuli Centenary Celebrations, Kwadukuza, South Africa, 25 April 1998
"Those who conduct themselves with morality, integrity and consistency need not fear the forces of inhumanity and cruelty." ~ Nelson Mandela delivering the British Red Cross Humanity Lecture, Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London, England, 10 July 2003
"No child in Africa, and in fact anywhere in the world, should be denied education." ~ Nelson Mandela at the launch of 'Dream for Africa' International Fund-Raising Campaign, Cape Town, South Africa, 6 December 2004
"My respect for human beings is based not on the colour of a man’s skin nor authority he may wield, but purely on merit" ~ Nelson Mandela from a letter to General du Preez, Commissioner of Prisons, written on Robben Island, 12 July 1976
"I have discovered that in discussions it never helps to take a morally superior tone to one’s opponent" ~ Nelson Mandela from Long Walk to Freedom, 1994
"I came to accept that I have no right whatsoever to judge others in terms of my own customs" ~ Nelson Mandela from an unpublished autobiographical manuscript, written on Robben Island, 1975