We owe our children β the most vulnerable citizens in any society β a life free from violence and fear.
Nelson MandelaRead
Sometimes strident, often tender, never afraid and seldom without humour, Desmond Tutu's voice will always be the voice of the voiceless.
Interpretation
Desmond Tutu's voice represents the concerns of the marginalized, balancing strength and compassion.
This quote by Nelson Mandela highlights the unique qualities of Desmond Tutu's voice in advocating for the oppressed. It captures the essence of Tutu's eloquence, which combines boldness with gentleness, ensuring that those who cannot speak for themselves are heard. His ability to infuse humor into serious discussions further emphasizes his approachable and impactful leadership style.
In practice
In a speech about social justice, I could use this quote to emphasize the importance of leadership in giving voice to the unheard.
We owe our children β the most vulnerable citizens in any society β a life free from violence and fear.
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.
If you have a sense of purpose and a sense of direction, I believe people will follow you. Democracy isn't just about deducing what the people want. Democracy is leading the people as well.
Soldiers generally win battles; generals get credit for them.
The appointing power vested in the president imposes delicate and onerous duties. So far as it is possible to be informed, I shall make honesty, capacity, and fidelity indispensable prerequisites to the disposal of office, and the absence of either of these qualities shall be deemed sufficient cause for removal.
The young very seldom lead anything in our country today. It's been quite some time since a younger generation pushed an older one to a higher standard.
When a president makes life and death decisions, he should draw strength and wisdom from broad and deep experience with the reasons for and the risks of committing our children to our defense. For no matter how many others are involved in the decision, the president is a lonely man in a dark room when the casualty reports come in.
Presidents are evaluated not by what they did by the stroke of their own pen; it's what they persuade Congress to do.
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