We owe our children – the most vulnerable citizens in any society – a life free from violence and fear.
Nelson MandelaRead
Religion is one of the most important forces in the world. Whether you are a Christian, a Muslim, a Buddhist, a Jew, or a Hindu, religion is a great force, and it can help one have command of one's own morality, one's own behavior, and one's own attitude.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Religion significantly influences individual morality and behavior across different faiths.
In this quote, Nelson Mandela emphasizes the profound impact that religion has on guiding individuals' moral compass, behaviors, and attitudes. By recognizing the importance of diverse faiths, he suggests that regardless of one’s specific beliefs—be it Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, or Hinduism—religion serves as a powerful force for self-regulation and ethical living, shaping how individuals navigate the world.
Themes
ReligionMoralityBehaviorAttitudeInfluence
In practice
Example use cases
During an interfaith dialogue, one could use this quote to highlight the importance of religious values in shaping ethical behavior.
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.
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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.
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