Nelson Mandela International Day, observed annually on July 18th, is a global call to action that honors the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s iconic former president. This day, established by the United Nations in 2009, is not a public holiday but a day dedicated to celebrating Mandela’s unwavering commitment to social justice, equality, and the transformative power of individual action.
Mandela’s 67 years of dedicated service serve as a powerful reminder that each person has the ability to make a difference. In the spirit of his message, the Mandela Day campaign quotes “Nelson Mandela has fought for social justice for 67 years. We’re asking you to start with 67 minutes.”
So this blog post explores 20 of Nelson Mandela’s most impactful quotes, illuminating his wisdom and inspiring us to embody his values.
20 Nelson Mandela Quotes On Leadership & Freedom
1. “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
2. “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.”
3. “If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.”
4. “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.”
5. “As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
6. “Lead from the back – and let others believe they are in front.”
7. “There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”
8. “Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”
9. “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.”
10. “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.”
11. “No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”
12. “Live life as though nobody is watching, and express yourself as though everyone is listening.”
13. “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.”
14. “I never lose. I either win or learn.”
15. “A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.”
16. “The brave man is not the one who has no fears, he is the one who triumphs over his fears.”
17. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
18. “It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another.”
19. “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
20. “A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.”
End Note
Nelson Mandela’s words still mean a lot to us today. They remind us to keep going even when things are tough, to fight for what’s right, and that everyone can make a difference. On Nelson Mandela International Day, let’s use his quotes to inspire us to do good things. Let’s try to live by his values and make the world a better place, just like he did.
Also Read: Quotes on birds – International Migratory Bird Day
