Nelson Mandela, the first democratically elected president of South Africa and a Noble Peace Prize laureate, died [1] on December 5, 2013 aged 95. Mandela spent 27 years in jail for his struggle against South Africa's system of racial segregation known as apartheid [2]. Freed from prison in 1990, he became president four years later, and left office after serving only one term, a rare gesture in African politics.
The internationally beloved statesman had an impressive way with words. One of his most famous quotes comes from a defiant speech he made in court during his Rivonia treason trial [3] in 1964, in which he said [4]:
I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But, if need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.
Apart from his Rivonia trial speech, Mandela leaves behind many memorable and wise quotes made throughout his life. Despite his passing, he continues to speak to the world through Twitter users, who have reacted to news of his death by sharing his words.
On judgement:
“Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”- Nelson Mandela #RIPNelsonMandela [5]
— Kate Gonzales∞♥ (@ReeeyPJr) December 6, 2013 [6]
“I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.” – Nelson Mandela
— Alfredo Flores (@AlfredoFlores) December 6, 2013 [7]
On hate:
“Hating clouds the mind. It gets in the way of strategy. Leaders cannot afford to hate.” — Nelson Mandela http://t.co/lUjOnHI7Jh [8]
— Simon Jones (@mrjonesinsf) December 6, 2013 [9]
“If they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” #NelsonMandela [10]
— John Roberts (@JohnRobertsFun) December 6, 2013 [11]
No one is born hating… _Nelson Mandela pic.twitter.com/nzs8zxNKrw [12]
— Joseph Attieh (@AttiehJoseph) December 6, 2013 [13]
On forgiveness:
“Courageous people do not fear forgiving for the sake of peace.”#NelsonMandelaquotes [14]
— ♠I_am_tobi☺™ (@AsvpNast) December 5, 2013 [15]
“You will achieve more in this world through acts of mercy than you will through acts of retribution” #NelsonMandelaQuotes [16]
— Sagittarius Queen (@Phin_Dee) July 18, 2012 [17]
On sports:
“Sport can awaken hope where there was previously only despair.” #RIPNelsonMandela [5] http://t.co/6TFhK8H6jb [18] pic.twitter.com/ymmPVXCbDo [19]
— HuffPost UK (@HuffPostUK) December 6, 2013 [20]
On leadership:
“Lead from the back — and let others believe they are in front.” ― #NelsonMandela [10] #NelsonMandelaQuotes [16] pic.twitter.com/4woa35MpEB [21]
— Move! magazine SA (@MoveMag) December 6, 2013 [22]
On racism:
“I detest racialism because I regard it as a barbaric thing, whether it comes from a black man or a white man.” #NelsonMandelaQuotes [16]
— Gabriel Le Roux (@gabrielpleroux) December 6, 2013 [23]
On determination:
‘it always seem impossible until it's done.’ #NelsonMandelaQuotes [16] pic.twitter.com/mSKP0LBrRX [24]
— melike futtu (@bilendikcebilen) December 6, 2013 [25]
The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.- Nelson Mandela, Long Walk To Freedom, 1994
— JHB STUDENTS (@JHBSTUDENTS) December 6, 2013 [26]
“Honour belongs to those who never forsake the truth, even when things seem dark and grim.”-Nelson Mandela 1969 #RIP [27]
— ANC_LECTURES (@ANC_LECTURES) December 6, 2013 [28]
On freedom:
“For to be free is not to merely cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. “#RIPMandela [29]
— Angisiwe Mafumana (@Angi_M_) December 6, 2013 [30]
On education:
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” ~Nelson Mandela RIP.
— Chris (@Valandir) December 6, 2013 [31]
On imprisonment:
“It is said that no one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails.” ― #NelsonMandelaQuotes [16]
— RISE NETWORKS (@Risenetworks) December 6, 2013 [32]
On duty:
“When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people & his country, he can rest in peace” ~ Nelson Mandela #RIPNelsonMandela [5]
— Melv73™ (@Melv73) December 6, 2013 [33]