QuoteProject
A society that does not value its older people denies its roots and endangers its future. Let us strive to enhance their capacity to support themselves for as long as possible and, when they cannot do so anymore, to care for them.
Nelson Mandela
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

valuing older individuals is essential for societal growth and stability.

This quote emphasizes the importance of recognizing and valuing the contributions of older people in society. It asserts that neglecting the elderly undermines the foundations of our community and threatens its progression, urging us to empower them to maintain their independence and ensure that they receive care when they need it.

Themes

SocietyElderlyCareValueFutureRoots

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used in a speech about elder care at a community meeting.

More from Nelson Mandela

We owe our children – the most vulnerable citizens in any society – a life free from violence and fear.
Nelson MandelaRead
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

Similar quotes

and for a moment he held out his hands as if to steady himself or as if to bless the ground there or perhaps as if to slow the world that was rushing away and seemed to care nothing for the old or the young or rich or poor or dark or pale or he or she. Nothing for their struggles, nothing for their names. Nothing for the living or the dead.
Cormac MccarthyRead
But then, I suppose, when with the benefit of hindsight one begins to search one's past for such 'turning points', one is apt to start seeing them everywhere.
Kazuo IshiguroRead
There is no reason to assume that the universe has the slightest interest in intelligence—or even in life. Both may be random accidental by-products of its operations like the beautiful patterns on a butterfly's wings. The insect would fly just as well without them.
Arthur C. ClarkeRead
Why should our bodies end at the skin, or include at best other beings encapsulated by skin?
Donna J. HarawayRead
What a pity that 'nothingness' has been devalued by an abuse of it made by philosophers unworthy of it!
Emile M. CioranRead
It was our view of the worst that could befall our people if they were taken captive. So, what was fascinating to me was that somehow it appears the techniques that we have feared most in the world would be used on our people, we are using on people in our custody.
Jane MayerRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.

Quote by Nelson Mandela | QuoteProject