Politics Quotes by Nelson Mandela

Unlike some politicians, I can admit to a mistake.

— Nelson Mandela

“Fools multiply when wise men are silent.”

— Nelson Mandela

A government which uses force to maintain its rule teaches the oppressed to use force to oppose it.

— Nelson Mandela

Politics can be strengthened by music, but music has a potency that defies politics.

— Nelson Mandela

Political division, based on color, is entirely artificial; and when it disappears, so will the domination of one color group by another.

— Nelson Mandela

Sport can create hope, where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers.

— Nelson Mandela

Why is the United States behaving so arrogantly? All that (Mr. Bush) wants is Iraqi oil.

— Nelson Mandela

Hating clouds the mind. It gets in the way of strategy. Leaders cannot afford to hate

— Nelson Mandela

“A Nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but it's lowest ones”

— Nelson Mandela

If the ANC does to you what the apartheid government did to you, then you must do to the ANC what you…

— Nelson Mandela

When I came to Johannesburg from the countryside, I knew nobody, but many strangers were very kind to me. I then was…

— Nelson Mandela

There must be an end to white monopoly on political power, and a fundamental restructuring of our political and economic systems to…

— Nelson Mandela

Now we are in the second term of the government of a united nation and the government has done very well. One…

— Nelson Mandela

“If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner. -Nelson…

— Nelson Mandela

The government has interpreted the peacefulness of the movement as a weakness: the people's non-violent policies have been taken as a green…

— Nelson Mandela

Success in politics demands that you must take your people into confidence about your views and state them very clearly, very politely,…

— Nelson Mandela

It was the government that should have been told to refrain from its inhuman policy of violence and massacre, not the African…

— Nelson Mandela

Some of the mission groups that have been responsible for our education have not been part of the government. In fact, they…

— Nelson Mandela

Regarding African education in this country, there was a time when the government took no interest whatsoever in African education. It was…

— Nelson Mandela

A critical, independent and investigative press is the lifeblood of any democracy. The press must be free from state interference. It must…

— Nelson Mandela

I and some colleagues came to the conclusion that as violence in this country was inevitable, it would be wrong and unrealistic…

— Nelson Mandela

I have found Jews to be more broad-minded than most whites on issues of race and politics, perhaps because they themselves have…

— Nelson Mandela

Only armchair politicians are immune from committing mistakes. Errors are inherent in political action.

— Nelson Mandela

If the United States of America or Britain is having elections, they don't ask for observers from Africa or from Asia. But…

— Nelson Mandela

Sabotage did not involve loss of life, and it offered the best hope for future race relations. Bitterness would be kept to…

— Nelson Mandela

Before I went to jail, I was active in politics as a member of South Africa's leading organization - and I was…

— Nelson Mandela

Artists reach areas far beyond the reach of politicians. Art, especially entertainment and music, is understood by everybody, and it lifts the…

— Nelson Mandela

“But I had little knowledge of Marxism, and in political discussions with my communist friends I found myself handicapped by my ignorance…

— Nelson Mandela

I have always admired men and women who used their talents to serve the community, and who were highly respected and admired…

— Nelson Mandela

We, the people of South Africa, declare for all our country and the world to know: That South Africa belongs to all…

— Nelson Mandela

There is an absence of democratic accountability and control in every sphere of government and the state. To address this debilitating legacy…

— Nelson Mandela

A political movement must keep in touch with reality and the prevailing conditions. Long speeches, the shaking of fists, the banging of…

— Nelson Mandela

“A blind pursuit of cheap popularity has nothing to do with revolution." [ Political Report of the National Executive Committee to the…

— Nelson Mandela

Individuals get caught up in the policy of their country. In prison, for instance, a warden or officer is not promoted if…

— Nelson Mandela

I have spent more than 20 years in prison, then on one night I decided to surrender by signing all the terms…

— Nelson Mandela