On willpower:
"No power on earth can stop an oppressed people determined to win their freedom." (June 1961)
On regrets, or having none:
“If I had my time over I would do the same again, so would any man who dares call himself a man.” (After being convicted to five years hard labor, November 1962)
On his commitment to change:
"I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." (At the Rivonia treason trial, April 1964)
On courage:
"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."
On leadership:
"I stand here before you not as a prophet but as a humble servant of you, the people." (After release from prison, February 1990)
On the transformation of South Africa:
"Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another and suffer the indignity of being the skunk of the world. Let freedom reign." (Inauguration as president, May 1994)
On racism:
"No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite." (From Long Walk to Freedom, 1994)
On freedom:
"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." (From Long Walk to Freedom, 1994)
On enemies:
"If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner." (From Long Walk to Freedom, 1994)
On receiving the Nobel Peace Prize:
"The award was a tribute to all South Africans and especially to those who fought in the struggle; I would accept it on their behalf." (December 1994)
On reconciliation:
"Reconciliation means working together to correct the legacy of past injustice." (December 16, 1995)
On stepping down as president:
"I step down with a clear conscience, feeling that I have in a small way done my duty to my people and my country." (May 1999)
On retirement:
"My bosses always say that I have had 27 years in prison to loaf. It is now time to do some catching up." (November 2000)
