Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918, in Mveso, Transkei, South Africa. Becoming actively involved in the anti-apartheid movement in his 20s, Mandela joined the African National Congress in 1942. For 20 years, he directed a campaign of peaceful, nonviolent defiance against the South African government and its racist policies. In 1993, Mandela and South African President F.W. de Klerk were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to dismantle the country’s apartheid system. In 1994, Mandela was inaugurated as South Africa’s first black president. In 2009, Mandela’s birthday (July 18) was declared “Mandela Day” to promote global peace and celebrate the South African leader’s legacy. Mandela died at his home in Johannesburg on December 5, 2013, at age 95. (via bio.com)
Nelson Mandela is one of my heroes – a larger than life person, who dared to take on a whole system at great personal cost, and triumphed over it, and yet managed not to be bitter. He was truly a person who walked the talk.
Today I want to reflect on some of his words and ask you to join me in doing this.
Immortal Nelson Mandela Quotes
“I hate race discrimination most intensely and in all its manifestations. I have fought it all during my life; I fight it now, and will do so until the end of my days.”
“I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.” from Long Walk to Freedom, Nelson Mandela’s autobiography.
“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.” from Long Walk to Freedom, Nelson Mandela’s autobiography
“If I had my time over I would do the same again, so would any man who dares call himself a man.”
The legacy of Nelson Mandela lives on – as do his immortal words!
This post is written for the letter ‘N’ for the Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2014.
Truly a fabulous choice for N, Corinne! What a great soul and a real hero!
Love the quotes! 🙂
Vidya Sury recently posted..Natural
Thanks, Vidya. I feel so good that he walked this earth while we did.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Manifest Moment To Moment
A true hero indeed. I love that line from him…if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love. So true! As Vidya said, this was a fabulous choice for the letter N. An inspiring post indeed. I have been meaning to watch that film Invictus for quite some time now, maybe reading this post on Mandela was the final inspiration I needed. I did watch the film based on his biography, a must watch movie for Mandela fans 🙂
Beloo Mehra recently posted..N is for Near, From Near to Far (Third Principle of True Teaching)
Beloo – I meant to include this one and somehow didn’t, but it’s meant just for you:
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
He was a hero, truly! I haven’t watched the movie either, but I do remember watching one about his prison guard – will find out the name and let you know.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Manifest Moment To Moment
Thanks Corinne for this special quote 🙂
Beloo Mehra recently posted..O is for Opportunity, “Opportunity to Develop All that is Best in the Nature”
Thank you for rounding up the quotations and taking the time to share.
Absolutely my pleasure, Catherine. He was a great man.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..11 Things I’ve Learned Since Your Murder
Wonderful topic to pick up….I had to read this to keep myself grounded and get inspired. I read about him to my son…have to continue reading more about him. We just did it on the day he passed…You really inspire in many ways, Corinne! I want to read his autobiography…
Found In Folsom recently posted..N for Names!!!
He was a hero, Prudhvi. I’m sorry to say I haven’t read his book either – but as I did this post I decided to buy a copy. We all need our heroes – and I’m glad you did such a special thing with your son. You inspire me too! ♥
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes On Sunday 6
Wonderful choice for N. He was one amazing, inspirational man. ♥
Kathy recently posted..N is for Nurse
Thanks, Kathy. And he was all that!
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Fabulous Blogging With Julie DeNeen
Nelson Mandela is a true hero in all ways and deserves all the applaud. Rare to find such people who walked the earth.
He was, Vishal. And I’m glad he was around when I was growing up and later……..
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Manifest Moment To Moment
A truly inspiring post! *Bookmarked*
I love the inspiration that can be found through Nelson Mandela’s life. He wasn’t perfect but he was inspiring! Thank you for sharing more of what he had to share with the world.
Heather Cameron recently posted..Time Flies
Really enjoyed reading your post Corinne 🙂 Thanks for sharing!!
Joan Harrington recently posted..Email Marketing 101
Excellent compilation of wise words.
What an amazing man. Thank you for honoring a true hero!
Stephanie Faris recently posted..N is for Nicole Lee
The greatest thing about Nelson Mandela, as also Gandhi, Martin Luther King and other socio-political leaders, is their conscious and successful effort to eschew bitterness and hatred.
I think the most relevant of Nelson Mandela’s sayings (among those you have quoted) is:
“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.”
Many of us fight against those forms of discrimination where we are victims, but do we also fight against all those forms of discrimination where we have the upper hand?
Proactive Indian recently posted..No
Very pertinent question Pro.. Will think about it .. 🙂
and Corinne great choice for the letter N .. Loved the post..
simple girl recently posted..AtoZchallenge -O for…onion, oranges and olkopi ..
An inspiring and touching tribute to an amazing human being! We all stand to learn a great deal from Mandela’s example, in our daily lives and even in our writing.
WriterlySam recently posted..Architects of Illusion (Echoes of Olympus, #1): Muse of Music
I love the first one. Actually, I love all of them. I believe inspirational quotes are important. Even if we read them once, quickly, then go about our day they remain in our subconscious, guiding us. I believe that is one of the many ways we connect as human beings, around the world, through time–by sharing inspirational thoughts. It is a connection with our deepest, inner selves.
Darla Sue Dollman recently posted..Kindness, Paying it Forward, and Goats
An inspiration to mankind, a great soul, he continues to live within us. Thanks for sharing such wonderful quotes. I have yet to read his book though 🙁
Aditi recently posted..The Marigold Seller
Aaaww, so happy to see your N for Nelson:-) One of the most inspirational persons I know also! A really good read to be reminded of these lovely words from him.. Thanks a lot dear Corinne:-)
Eli recently posted..N for New Zealand
Inspiring words, indeed! He was an amazing man.
Blessings, Corinne!
Martha Orlando recently posted..New Life
Oh he was a great man and he will live on in history and should be taught to all children as he promoted peace, acceptance, tolerance, strength and forgiveness. I hold him in the utmost respect
Excellent collection of quotes! He really was an inspirational man.
Loni Townsend recently posted..Murder Most Fowl – Part N #atozchallenge
Nelson, a very powerful, brave outspoken man. Most of could never measure up to his life of bravery and courage.
Mary Stephenson recently posted..Eco Friendly and Save Some Money
A hero, a stalwart of our times. Excellent choice for N.
Damyanti recently posted..#AtoZchallenge #flashfiction: Never in her life did she think..
What a wonderful choice for N. He is truly inspiring. What’s amazing is how he carried no bitterness, no hate.
Great compilation, Corinne. I love the one where he says, ‘….if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison’. So many times, we’re trapped in prisons of our own making; we don’t understand the joy and exhilaration there is in the realization that we have the power to set ourselves free.
Fab recently posted..Recipe for the Week – Chocolate Babka Muffins (Baking Partners Challenge #21)
A great man and great quotes. My favourite is the one where he says you can be taught to love.
That’s a good collection to go into my archives.
Shailaja V recently posted..Only That!
What an inspiration, this man continues to be, Corinne ! His departure from the world signified not just a man’s death ; it marked the mortal end to an Era , an Era immortalised by his life !!
Sreeja Praveen recently posted..A to Z Series Post – O – Oh ! he’s handsome 🙂
Nelson Mandela had the most incredible quotes!
🙂 Mandy xo
Mandy – The Complete Book recently posted..Red Lentil Dahl
He is one of those immortals the world could never get enough of. Wasn;t born to see Gandhi but good enough to be around when he was 🙂
PhenoMenon
Pheno Menon recently posted..Oats – Interesting ways to eat
Inspiring person who will never be forgotton. Great choice for ‘N’!
Chai a Cup of Life recently posted..What is Vegemite?
Thank you Corinne for sharing Nelson Mandela’s amazing words. I had forgotten how much I love them.
He truly was a great man.
Doreen McGettigan recently posted..Obsessive Compulsive Disorder [OCD]
Great quotes.
While I don’t think Mandela was perfect (and neither did he!) he is an inspiration.
—
Timothy S. Brannan
The Other Side, April Blog Challenge: The A to Z of Witches
Timothy Brannan recently posted..A to Z of Witches. O
Inspiring quotes. Thank you.
Damaria Senne recently posted..7 Lessons I’m Learning While Taking Part In The A-Z Challenge
He was such an inspiration!
Thank you for sharing his most famous words Corinne 🙂
Pixie recently posted..Happiness is…
Love the quote “As I walked out … ” So true that to move forward and be free, we have to learn to let go and forgive.
Suzy recently posted..Life’s Jigsaw – Paddling Downstream
I have read a lot about him and the collection of these quotes mark so many turns of years he had seen. But the most about him fighting discrimination up until the last day of his life…
Richa Singh recently posted..Permanently Peeved
He truly was an amazing person and an inspiration to all of us.
Joyce recently posted..#AtoZ : The Queen
he will always be an inspiration. The quotes are amazing. thank you for sharing them.
Rajlakshmi recently posted..The Ultra-Chic Complex
Great quotes, great post, great man. xo
Adriana Boatwright ( recently posted..Montparnasse…
Thanks, Adriana.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..12 Most Powerful Quotes On Grace
A perfect choice for the letter N. Nelson Mandela not only fought against apartheid but conquered over hatredness and bitterness by leaving them in the prison.
kalpana solsi recently posted..No questions , please
Thanks, Kalpana.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..12 Most Powerful Quotes On Grace
Nelson is my hero too… I just loved your pick of his quotes… The closest to my heart is “if I do not leave my bitterness and hatred behind, i would still be in prison” This is so true..to go through all that he did and come out with hope and fire to still fight it out and change it for better without bitterness and discrimination.,..that is the true triumph of a soul.. Adore him!!!
Shiva recently posted..Float – Haiku
Thanks, Shiva. He was true one of the greats of our time!
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..12 Most Powerful Quotes On Grace
Nelson Mandela was truly an amazing human being …. and an inspiration to mankind….
thank you Corinne for sharing his quotes …… very informative post
Thanks for stopping by to read and comment, Huma.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..12 Most Powerful Quotes On Grace
A lovely string of quotes Corinne. Each a reflection of the great soul. Thanks for the share.
Geeta Nair recently posted..Book Review – Bubble Wrap
You’re very welcome, Geeta. Can never say enough about him, can we?
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..12 Most Powerful Quotes On Grace