Nelson Mandela

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.

I really wanted to retire and rest and spend more time with my children, my grandchildren and of course with my wife.

We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.

Does anybody really think that they didn't get what they had because they didn't have the talent or the strength or the endurance or the commitment?

I should tie myself to no particular system of society other than of socialism.

I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.

There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children.

Before I went to jail, I was active in politics as a member of South Africa's leading organization - and I was generally busy from 7 A.M. until midnight. I never had time to sit and think.

If the United States of America or Britain is having elections, they don't ask for observers from Africa or from Asia. But when we have elections, they want observers.

Intervention only works when the people concerned seem to be keen for peace.

I dream of an Africa which is in peace with itself.

Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all.

If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.

Forget the past.

I have retired, but if there's anything that would kill me it is to wake up in the morning not knowing what to do.

Only free men can negotiate. A prisoner cannot enter into contracts.

Give a child love, laughter and peace, not AIDS.

I do not deny that I planned sabotage. I did not plan it in a spirit of recklessness nor because I have any love of violence. I planned it as a result of a calm and sober assessment of the political situation that had arisen after many years of tyranny, exploitation and oppression of my people by the whites.

I made a mistake by being ejected from the presidency. Next time, I will choose a Cabinet which will allow me to be life President.

Sometimes, I feel like one who is on the sidelines, who has missed life itself.