20 of Nelson Mandela Quotes

Nelson Mandela, long-time champion of the anti-apartheid movement and former president of South Africa, died today at the age of 95. He will be remembered for his unrelenting pursuit of racial equality and lifelong struggle against segregation and poverty, as well for his passionate belief in humanity. But he has also been known for his ability to motivate millions with his words. From his testimony given during the trials leading up to his imprisonment to the speech he gave upon his release 27 years later, and the countless addresses and speeches given thereafter, Mandela provided us with no dearth of inspiring thoughts. Below, a curation of some of the best Nelson Mandela quotes.

1. "it always seems impossible until it's done."
2. "If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.
3. "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."
4. "Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all.
5. "There is no passion to be found playing small - in setting for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living."
6. "It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership."
7. "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."
8. "Money won't create success, the freedom to make it will."
9. "A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination."
10. "Where globalization means, as it so often does, that the rich and powerful now have new means to further enrich and empower themselves at the cost of the poorer and weaker, we have a responsibility to protest in the name of universal freedom."
11. "Courageous people do not fear forgiving, for the sake of peace."
12. "A good leader can engage in a debate frankly and thoroughly, knowing that at the end he and the other side must be closer, and thus emerge stronger. You don't have that idea when you are arrogant, superficial, and uninformed."
13. "Only free men can negotiate. A prisoner cannot enter into contracts."
14. "There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of ore desires."
15. "If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner."
16. "I stand here before you not as a prophet, but as a humble servant of you, the people."
17. "No country an really develop unless its citizens are educated."
18. "People respond in accordance to how you relate to them. If you approach them on the basis of violence, that's how they'll react. But if you say, 'We want peace, we want stability,' we can then do a lot of things that will contribute towards the progress of our society."
19. "In my country we go to prison first and then become President."
20. "Without education, your children can never really meet the challenges they will face. So it's very important to give children education and explain that they should play a role for their country."