Totsiens en Dankie, Nelson Mandela

The whole world is mourning over the recent succumb to death of Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg, South Africa. Once accused as a terrorist by his enemies who put him behind the bars, he became popular as a leader in his country and a world renowned statesman.

His life is an inspiration of triumph and tragedy. He is the foremost modern hero of liberation of his country from political turmoils and social crisis, giving the world an admirable inspiration. 

The world really feels like it lost a feather by his death. His presence may have gone but surely his wisdom will linger for as long as people remember his heroism. Totsiens en dankie, Nelson Mandela. Farewell and thank you for making the world a little better.

If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.

A good head and good heart are always a formidable combination. But when you add to that a literate tongue or pen, then you have something very special.

I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.

As I have said, the first thing is to be honest with yourself. You can never have an impact on society if you have not changed yourself... Great peacemakers are all people of integrity, of honesty, but humility.

As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

A leader is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.

When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace.

Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.

Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.

We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.

There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.

No one is born hating another person because of the color 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.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?

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.

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.

I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can only rest for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not ended.