We owe our children – the most vulnerable citizens in any society – a life free from violence and fear.
Nelson MandelaRead
I and some colleagues came to the conclusion that as violence in this country was inevitable, it would be wrong and unrealistic for African leaders to continue preaching peace and non-violence at a time when the government met our peaceful demands with force. It was only when all else had failed, when all channels of peaceful protest had been barred to us, that the decision was made to embark on violent forms of political struggle.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the necessity of taking drastic measures when peaceful efforts are met with violence and oppression.
Nelson Mandela articulates a critical turning point in the struggle against oppression where the leaders realized that peace and non-violence, though noble, were ineffective in the face of systemic violence. He recognizes that there comes a time when all non-violent avenues have been exhausted, and the choice to resort to more aggressive forms of resistance becomes a moral imperative in the quest for justice and political change.
Themes
ViolencePeacePolitical StruggleJusticeOppression
In practice
Example use cases
During a university lecture on civil rights, where one might reference this quote to illustrate the limits of peaceful protest.
More from Nelson Mandela
All quotes →What freedom am I being offered while the organization of the people remains banned? Only free men can negotiate. A prisoner cannot enter into contracts.
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The past is a rich resource on which we can draw in order to make decisions for the future, but it does not dictate our choices. We should look back at the past and select what is good, and leave behind what is bad.
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We signal that good can be achieved amongst human beings who are prepared to trust, prepared to believe in the goodness of people.
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After one has been in prison, it is the small things that one appreciates: being able to take a walk whenever one wants, going into a shop and buying a newspaper, speaking or choosing to remain silent. The simple act of being able to control one's person.
Nelson MandelaRead
I dream of the realization of the unity of Africa, whereby its leaders combine in their efforts to solve the problems of this continent. I dream of our vast deserts, of our forests, of all our great wildernesses.
Nelson MandelaRead
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