We owe our children – the most vulnerable citizens in any society – a life free from violence and fear.
Honour belongs to those who never forsake the truth even when things seem dark and grim, who try over and over again, who are never discouraged by insults, humiliation and even defeat.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of standing by the truth and persistently striving, despite facing adversity and negative experiences.
Nelson Mandela's quote highlights that true honor is found in individuals who remain committed to the truth, regardless of the challenges they face. It underscores the value of resilience and perseverance, stressing that even in dark times, one should continue to uphold their beliefs and not be swayed by insults or setbacks. Honor is not merely a title to be claimed; it is earned through unwavering dedication to integrity in the face of adversity.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
Use this quote during a motivational speech about the importance of integrity in leadership.
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.
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.
We signal that good can be achieved amongst human beings who are prepared to trust, prepared to believe in the goodness of people.
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.
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.
Similar quotes
Down South, there was the old 'ladies-don't-do-such-things' way of thinking. You couldn't be a lady and a good athlete at the same time.
When I became finance minister, they called me Okonjo-Wahala - or 'Trouble Woman.' It means 'I give you hell.' But I don't care what names they call me. I'm a fighter; I'm very focused on what I'm doing, and relentless in what I want to achieve, almost to a fault. If you get in my way, you get kicked.
Let the fear of a danger be a spur to prevent it; he that fears not, gives advantage to the danger.
Great things are won by great dangers.
I've had journalists asking me, 'What do we call you - is it handicapped, are you disabled, physically challenged?' I said, 'Well hopefully you could just call me Aimee. But if you have to describe it, I'm a bilateral below-the-knee amputee.'
You may chain my hands, you may shackle my feet; you may even throw me into a dark prison; but you shall not enslave my thinking, because it is free!