History will remember him as one of the greatest and
most influencial men who ever lived. Nelson Mandela – first democratically
chosen black president of South Africa, Nobel Prize winner and anti-Apartheid
supporter, always fighting against segregation and devoting his life to the
service of humanity. He was a human rights lawyer, a prisoner of conscience and
an international peacemaker.
During his almost 100 years life (died at the age of
95) Mandela inspired all of us. Some of his inpirational words of wisdom are
enumerated below:
“I
am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I
cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the
sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in
humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to
despair. That way lays defeat and death.”
~
“I
learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The
brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that
fear.”
~
“Difficulties break some men but make others. No axe is
sharp enough to cut the soul of a sinner who keeps on trying, one armed with the
hope that he will rise even in the end.”
~
“It always seems impossible until it’s
done.”
~
“When a man has done what he considers to be his duty
to his people and his country, he can rest in peace.”
~
“Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the
freedom of their people.”
~
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can
use to change the world.”
~
“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains,
but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of
others.”
~
“Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many
times I fell down and got back up again.”
~
“Money won’t create success, the freedom to make it
will.”
~
“We must use time wisely and forever realize that the
time is always ripe to do right.”
~
“Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it
will kill your enemies.”
~
“I
like friends who have independent minds because they tend to make you see
problems from all angles.”
~
“A
good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.”
~
“When people are determined they can overcome
anything.”
July, 18 is Nelson Mandela’s birthday and
officially declared by The United Nations as International Nelson Mandela
Day to
celebrate freedom, justice and democracy. Each of us has the power and ability
to make the change, just like Mandela did – to change the world for the better.
Take action and inspire change!
Beata
Jaranowska