“Whatever position I occupied, it was the result of colleagues - of my ...” — Nelson Mandela Quote

“Whatever position I occupied, it was the result of colleagues - of my comrades in the movement - who had decided in their wisdom to use me for the purpose of focusing the attention of the country and the international community on me.”

“Apart from life, a strong constitution, and an abiding connection to the Thembu royal house, the only thing my father bestowed upon me at birth was a name, Rolihlahla.”

“When the water starts boiling it is foolish to turn off the heat.”

“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.”

“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.”

“As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest.”

“Information becomes knowledge only when it finds an application in real life.”

“Anyway, the trick is simply this: No matter what happens, keep your heart open. Wide open. The heart is made of love, and love is indestructible, and only the arrogance of ego would presume that it requires protection. To open your heart is to reduce your ego, and this is the only magic that is ever required to experience the naked truth.”

“If I could I would always work in silence and obscurity, and let my efforts be known by their results.”

“If you look around to find meaning in everything that happens, you will end up disappointed. Sometimes there aren’t reasons behind the terrible things that go on. I ask myself, If I knew all the answers, would it help? I lie awake and wonder why I don’t have parents and wonder what will become of my brother and me. But when the morning comes, I realize that there’s nothing to be done about what has already happened. I can only get up and do my chores and push through the day and find the good in it.”

“...a blink of an eye in itself is nothing. But the eye that blinks, that is something.”