We owe our children – the most vulnerable citizens in any society – a life free from violence and fear.
Nelson MandelaRead
If our expectations, if our fondest prayers and dreams, are not realized then we should all bear in mind that the greatest glory of living lies not in never falling but in rising every time you fall.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The true glory of life is found in our ability to rise after setbacks, rather than avoiding failure altogether.
This quote emphasizes the importance of resilience in the face of failure. It suggests that experiencing setbacks is a natural part of life, and instead of fearing them, we should focus on our capacity to overcome challenges and grow from them. The greatest achievements come not from a never-failing life, but from the determination to rise every time we fall.
Themes
ResilienceFailureSuccessDeterminationGlory
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech to inspire students who have faced academic challenges.
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.
Nelson MandelaRead
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.
Nelson MandelaRead
We signal that good can be achieved amongst human beings who are prepared to trust, prepared to believe in the goodness of people.
Nelson MandelaRead
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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