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Wise Words From Nelson Mandela That Hit Harder Than Ever, In Honor of His Death Anniversary
Given Nelson Mandela’s efforts and insights and into how to make the world a better place, and in honor of his death anniversary–let’s take a look back on some of his powerful words!
Nelson Mandela outside his Soweto home three days after his release. (Photo by Gideon Mendel/Corbis via Getty Images)
Friday (Dec. 5) marks 22 years since Nelson Mandela died. The famed anti-apartheid activist and first President of South Africa left an indelible mark on the fight for social justice and democracy.
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As a Nobel Peace Prize recipient and lauded crusader for human rights, his work and more importantly his wisdom, is something we as a country could use now, more than ever. Given his efforts and insights and into how to make the world a better place and detailed history of being on the front lines in the fight for a fairer world, we felt it fitting to look back on some of his most impactful words that could hopefully help guide us.
While Mandela made it clear that “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” in 1990, he also proposed that some education doesn’t come from a classroom.
“To a narrow-thinking person, it is hard to explain that to be ‘educated’ does not mean being literate and having a BA, and that an illiterate man can be a far more ‘educated’ voter than someone with an advanced degree.”
On Courage
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – MARCH 8: Former President Nelson Mandela of South Africa speaks to visitors on March 8, 1999 in his residence in Houghton, a suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa. The ANC freedom fighter was in prison for 27 years and released in 1990. He became President of South Africa after the first multiracial democratic elections in April 1994. Mr. Mandela retired after one term in 1999 and gave leadership to the current president Mr. Thabo Mbeki. (Photo by Per-Anders Pettersson/Getty Images)
“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.”
On Overcoming the Impossible
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – APRIL 03: Nelson Mandela smiles during a lunch to Benefit the Mandela Children’s Foundation as part of the celebrations of the opening of the new One&Only Cape Town resort on April 3, 2009 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
On Embracing Diversity and Democracy
377915 20: Nelson Mandela waves to the crowd after speaking at the Colonial Stadium for the World Reconciliation Day Concert September 8, 2000 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Hamish Blair/Liaison)
“It is not our diversity which divides us; it is not our ethnicity, or religion or culture that divides us. Since we have achieved our freedom, there can only be one division amongst us: between those who cherish democracy and those who do not.”
On the Importance of Unbiased Media
SOUTH AFRICA – JUNE 02: A group of American and South African students, aged from 11 to 19, met with Nelson Mandela at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg, on 2 June 2009. This is part of a series of activities ahead of Mandela Day on 18 July. (Photo by Media24/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
“A critical, independent and investigative press is the lifeblood of any democracy. The press must be free from state interference. It must have the economic strength to stand up to the blandishments of government officials. It must have sufficient independence from vested interests to be bold and inquiring without fear or favour. It must enjoy the protection of the constitution, so that it can protect our rights as citizens.”
On How to Rise Above Current Circumstances
Former South African Pres. Nelson Mandela in undated portrait. (Photo by Allan Tannenbaum/Getty Images)
“Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.”
On Real Leadership
388486 07: Ex-South African President Nelson Mandela speaks at the Celebrate South Africa Concert April 29, 2001 in Trafalgar Square in London, England. (Photo by Sion Touhig/Newsmakers)
“Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people.”
On Reconciliation
SOUTH AFRICA – JUNE 14: Nelson Mandela reads short statement on the Jacob Zuma issue. South Africa. (Photo by Media24/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
“Reconciliation means working together to correct the legacy of past injustice.”
On Corruption
SOUTH AFRICA – APRIL 07: South Africa. Western Cape. Oudtshoorn. Former South African president, Nelson Mandela, delivering a speech in Afrikaans at the KKNK, Vryheid van Oudtshoorn. (Photo by Media24/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
“Corruption is a cancer that steals from the poor, undermines trust in institutions, and destroys the moral fibre of society.”
On Treating Children Kindly
LONDON – JUNE 27: Nelson Mandela poses onstage during the 46664 Concert In Celebration Of Nelson Mandela’s Life held at Hyde Park on June 27, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Davies/Getty Images)
“There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.”
On What It Means to Truly Live and Make an Impact
WASHINGTON – MAY 16: Former South African President Nelson Mandela smiles before speaking at the Brookings Intitution May 16, 2005 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”
“There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.”
On Our Duty to Society
TOPSHOT – Anti-apartheid leader and African National Congress (ANC) member Nelson Mandela raises clenched fist, arriving to address mass rally, a few days after his release from jail, 25 February 1990, in the conservative Afrikaaner town of Bloemfontein, where ANC was formed 75 years ago. (Photo by TREVOR SAMSON / AFP) (Photo by TREVOR SAMSON/AFP via Getty Images)
“It is in your hands, to make a better world for all who live in it.”
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