We owe our children β the most vulnerable citizens in any society β a life free from violence and fear.
Nelson MandelaRead
Prison life, fortunately, I spent a lot of years, about 18 years with other prisoners, and, as I say, they enriched your soul.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Prison life can be transformative, providing deep personal growth through shared experiences with others.
In this quote, Nelson Mandela reflects on his long imprisonment and how his interactions with fellow prisoners contributed to his personal development and understanding of humanity. He emphasizes that despite the harsh circumstances of prison life, the relationships and shared experiences enriched his soul, highlighting the power of connection and resilience in adversity.
Themes
PrisonGrowthSoulExperienceResilience
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about overcoming adversity, one might use this quote to illustrate the theme of personal growth through tough experiences.
More from Nelson Mandela
All quotes βWhat 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
Similar quotes
There is an important idea in psychology: The 'just world theory,' which says that it is very important for us to convince ourselves that the world is just and things happen for a reason. That there is some elemental fairness in everything, which creates the illusion of justice.
Malcolm GladwellRead
Vexed sailors cursed the rain, for which poor shepherds prayed in vain.
Edmund WallerRead
Even the disciples of Jesus all fled from their master's cross. Christians who do not have the feeling that they must flee the crucified Christ have probably not yet understood him in a sufficiently radical way.
Jrgen MoltmannRead
If I convert it's because it's better that a believer dies than that an atheist does.
Christopher HitchensRead
To do evil a human being must first of all believe that what he's doing is good... Ideology - that is what gives devildoing its long-sought justification and gives the evildoer the necessary steadfastness and determination. That is the social theory which helps to make his acts seem good instead of bad in his own and others' eyes, so that he won't hear reproaches and curses but will receive praise and honors.
Aleksandr SolzhenitsynRead
Hearing often-times the still, sad music of humanity, nor harsh nor grating, though of ample power to chasten and subdue.
William WordsworthRead