16 Nelson Mandela Quotes That Still Resonate Today
Revolutionary and leader Nelson Mandela is remembered for both his resilience and his genuine belief in people’s potential for good. Born in South Africa in 1918, he was an outspoken critic of the apartheid system, and his work with the African National Congress called for the dismantling of the regime through nonviolent protest.
Mandela co-founded the first Black law practice in South Africa, and began specializing in anti-apartheid cases. In 1961, he worked with the South African Communist Party to co-found the militant arm of the organization, Umkhonto we Sizwe, through which he led a sabotage campaign against the government. He was eventually sentenced to 27 years in prison.
As a Black political prisoner, Mandela was subjected to severe conditions and poor treatment. Still, rather than build resentment or hatred toward his enemies, he focused on forgiveness and dreamt up new ways to heal his country’s divisions. He was finally released in 1990 after growing domestic and international pressure, at which point he helped to negotiate an end to apartheid. The people of South Africa were so inspired by his dedication to justice, they elected him president in the nation’s first multiracial general election in 1994.
Mandela’s leadership completely changed South Africa and made him a global icon for activists everywhere seeking a better, more just world. “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,” he wrote in his book Dare Not Linger. “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.”
Here are some of Mandela’s quotes that still resonate today, more than 30 years after his release from prison. His words and story remain a necessary reminder that the fight for freedom is never ending, and we dare not linger.
Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people. 
