--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Unsurprisingly, Nelson Mandela had and…" description: "\"Unsurprisingly, Nelson Mandela had and still has many detractors.\" — Henry Rollins" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53b/henry-rollins-170_detractors_unsurprisingly-nelson-mandela-had-and-st_2553293.png" --- # Unsurprisingly, Nelson Mandela had and still has many… ![“Unsurprisingly, Nelson Mandela had and still has many detractors.” quote by Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53b/henry-rollins-170_detractors_unsurprisingly-nelson-mandela-had-and-st_2553293.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53b/henry-rollins-170_detractors_unsurprisingly-nelson-mandela-had-and-st_2553293.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53b/henry-rollins-170_detractors_unsurprisingly-nelson-mandela-had-and-st_2553293.png) > “Unsurprisingly, Nelson Mandela had and still has many detractors.” [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Even respected figures attract criticism, reflecting diverse perspectives. **In simple terms:** Everyone faces critics. Key Takeaway Accept criticism as feedback. Themes criticism leadership legacy Mood serious thoughtful Type analytical motivational When to use this quote - politics - activism - public speaking Key Concepts public perception resilience Questions to Reflect On - How do you differentiate constructive from destructive? - What can you learn from detractors? A Different Perspective Criticism can be hostile. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Detractors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/detractors/) [Had](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/had/) [Mandela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mandela/) [Mandela Detractors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mandela-detractors-1540245/) [Many](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/many/) [Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nelson/) [Nelson mandela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nelson-mandela/) [Still](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/still/) [Unsurprisingly Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unsurprisingly-nelson-1540246/) ## Related quotes > [Nelson Mandela will always be the face of South Africa. The traveler passing through the country will see Mandela's face almost everywhere he looks.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/nelson-mandela-will-always-be-the-face-of-south-africa-the-traveler/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [Even here in America, we felt the cool, refreshing breeze of freedom when Nelson Mandela took the seat of Presidency in his country where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/even-here-in-america-we-felt-the-cool-refreshing-breeze-of-freedom/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [ \[Nelson\] Mandela was very keen not to be understood as an exceptional person. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kumi-naidoo/nelson-mandela-was-very-keen-not-to-be-understood-as-an-exceptional/) [Kumi Naidoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kumi-naidoo/) > [Nelson Mandela was a towering figure in our time; a legend in life and now in death - a true global hero.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cameron/nelson-mandela-was-a-towering-figure-in-our-time-a-legend-in-life-and/) [David Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cameron/) > [Former South Africa President Nelson Mandela announced Tuesday he will begin writing his autobiography. He spent 25 years in prison before being elected to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/argus-hamilton/former-south-africa-president-nelson-mandela-announced-tuesday-he/) [Argus Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/argus-hamilton/) > [What an honor it was to step into the shoes of Nelson Mandela and portray a man who defied odds, broke down barriers, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idris-elba/what-an-honor-it-was-to-step-into-the-shoes-of-nelson-mandela-and/) [Idris Elba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idris-elba/) > [Nelson Mandela once said "I can't help it if the ladies take note of me; I'm not going to protest."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kumi-naidoo/nelson-mandela-once-said-i-can-t-help-it-if-the-ladies-take-note-of/) [Kumi Naidoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kumi-naidoo/) > [Nelson Mandela can rot in prison until he dies or I die, whichever takes longer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-w-botha/nelson-mandela-can-rot-in-prison-until-he-dies-or-i-die-whichever/) [P. W. Botha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-w-botha/) > [Nelson Mandela was an outstanding leader and a mentor for me. I was in South Africa at the time he was released. I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-kelly/nelson-mandela-was-an-outstanding-leader-and-a-mentor-for-me-i-was-in/) [Gail Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-kelly/) > [Video screenshot Facts and figures from Nelson Mandela's life, set to the trailer from 'Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.' "Man's goodness is a flame…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-mandela/video-screenshot-facts-and-figures-from-nelson-mandela-s-life-set-to/) [Nelson Mandela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-mandela/) > [As a world leader who refused to accept injustice, Nelson Mandela's courage helped change our entire world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salil-shetty/as-a-world-leader-who-refused-to-accept-injustice-nelson-mandela-s/) [Salil Shetty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salil-shetty/) > [“Mandela alikuwa hodari ndiyo maana akapelekwa jela. Alikuwa mvumilivu ndiyo maana akakaa jela kwa miaka ishirini na saba. Alivyotoka akawa kiongozi bora wa Afrika…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enock-maregesi/mandela-alikuwa-hodari-ndiyo-maana-akapelekwa-jela-alikuwa-mvumilivu/) [Enock Maregesi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enock-maregesi/) > [Nelson Mandela is a leader Barack Obama should try to emulate... He could start by spending 27 years in prison.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-imus/nelson-mandela-is-a-leader-barack-obama-should-try-to-emulate-he/) [Don Imus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-imus/) > [In Durban, where I was born and grew up, and all over Africa, Nelson Mandela was a hero! Now he is a hero to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kumi-naidoo/in-durban-where-i-was-born-and-grew-up-and-all-over-africa-nelson/) [Kumi Naidoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kumi-naidoo/) > [Nelson Mandela was just a human being, a person like other people, and everyone relaxed. Within a minute, that sort of thing about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kumi-naidoo/nelson-mandela-was-just-a-human-being-a-person-like-other-people-and/) [Kumi Naidoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kumi-naidoo/) ## More by Henry Rollins > [I believe that one defines oneself by reinvention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/i-believe-that-one-defines-oneself-by-reinvention/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [I think that one of the hardest things in the world to be is a black male. I mean everyone hates your guts. White…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/i-think-that-one-of-the-hardest-things-in-the-world-to-be-is-a-black/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [In the summer of '84, you just couldn't escape the Born in the USA record.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/in-the-summer-of-84-you-just-couldn-t-escape-the-born-in-the-usa/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [We spend millions of dollars to remove pain from our lives. It's why so many people get hooked on painkillers. The body becomes addicted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/we-spend-millions-of-dollars-to-remove-pain-from-our-lives-it-s-why/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [Sleep is for squares.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/sleep-is-for-squares/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [There's a lot of mountain climbers trapped inside of bodies of people behind the counter at Kinko's.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/there-s-a-lot-of-mountain-climbers-trapped-inside-of-bodies-of-people/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [If I lose the light of the sun, I will write by candlelight, moonlight, no light. If I lose paper and ink, I will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/if-i-lose-the-light-of-the-sun-i-will-write-by-candlelight-moonlight/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [I was raised in Washington, DC, very violent place. I grew up with violence. My introduction to music was violent. The years I've spent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/i-was-raised-in-washington-dc-very-violent-place-i-grew-up-with/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [I feel pain everyday of my life. When you see me perform, it's that pain you're seeing coming out. I put all my emotions,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/i-feel-pain-everyday-of-my-life-when-you-see-me-perform-it-s-that/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [I feel close to people like Jimi Hendrix because I connect with his music. Not the man but what he did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/i-feel-close-to-people-like-jimi-hendrix-because-i-connect-with-his/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [I don't believe in fate or destiny. I believe in various degrees of hatred, paranoia, and abandonment. However much of that gets heaped upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/i-don-t-believe-in-fate-or-destiny-i-believe-in-various-degrees-of/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [Young, gay and stuck in Arkansas? Sounds like a horror flick.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/young-gay-and-stuck-in-arkansas-sounds-like-a-horror-flick/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [I was never told to "Get up, get out there, get a job." It was never a thing either parent ever said I had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/i-was-never-told-to-get-up-get-out-there-get-a-job-it-was-never-a/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [There's no retirement, there's just a few years of non-work by the fire with someone bringing you some tea and relative peace and playing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/there-s-no-retirement-there-s-just-a-few-years-of-non-work-by-the/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [I love being a storyteller. I love telling stories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/i-love-being-a-storyteller-i-love-telling-stories/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) [Explore all 1,006 Henry Rollins quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) ## More Detractors quotes > [No matter how valuable you are and your ideas, fools will certainly play both of you down, so exclude yourselves from the inflammatory environs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/no-matter-how-valuable-you-are-and-your-ideas-fools-will-certainly/) [Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/) > [“Whenever i see someone fighting me for no reason, I'm always highly impressed that God has instigated his anger against me, just as he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/whenever-i-see-someone-fighting-me-for-no-reason-i-m-always-highly/) [Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/) > [I have my detractors, no doubt about it. I look at it as a compliment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-harrelson/i-have-my-detractors-no-doubt-about-it-i-look-at-it-as-a-compliment/) [Ken Harrelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-harrelson/) > [I have my detractors in Washington. There are bastards who spread things around, of course, who planted nasty things in the media. Not that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-blix/i-have-my-detractors-in-washington-there-are-bastards-who-spread/) [Hans Blix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-blix/) > [“Hold faithfully to your unique vision and your detractors will eventually tire and give-up.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/hold-faithfully-to-your-unique-vision-and-your-detractors-will/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“Staying with detractors is like sleeping in a room located just behind the public toilet. You will never feel comfortable until you relocate.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/staying-with-detractors-is-like-sleeping-in-a-room-located-just/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [Save your skin from the corrosive acids from the mouths of toxic people. Someone who just helped you to speak evil about another person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/save-your-skin-from-the-corrosive-acids-from-the-mouths-of-toxic/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You're always going to have your detractors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thom-tillis/you-re-always-going-to-have-your-detractors/) [Thom Tillis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thom-tillis/) > [“Protect your good image from the eyes of negative viewers, who may look at your good appearance with an ugly fiendish eye, and ruin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/protect-your-good-image-from-the-eyes-of-negative-viewers-who-may/) [Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/) > [ \[Detractors\] are just wrong, and that's okay. They just don't see it yet. That's what I would tell myself to keep those moments of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kudrow/detractors-are-just-wrong-and-that-s-okay-they-just-don-t-see-it-yet/) [Lisa Kudrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kudrow/) > [If my detractors knew me better they would hate me even more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nassim-nicholas-taleb/if-my-detractors-knew-me-better-they-would-hate-me-even-more/) [Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nassim-nicholas-taleb/) > [Scrutiny has never scared me because I have had detractors all my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijender-singh/scrutiny-has-never-scared-me-because-i-have-had-detractors-all-my-life/) [Vijender Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijender-singh/) > [There are some Trump detractors who feel like it's the media's job to stop Trump.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-kurtz/there-are-some-trump-detractors-who-feel-like-it-s-the-media-s-job-to/) [Howard Kurtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-kurtz/) > [We have our detractors. If we didn't, that would be weird. That would make me feel, 'Oh God, we must be really bland.' You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-giedroyc/we-have-our-detractors-if-we-didn-t-that-would-be-weird-that-would/) [Mel Giedroyc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-giedroyc/) > [“A leader does not reduce his speeds to meet the views of negative thinkers. He leaves them to do their job as he focuses.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/a-leader-does-not-reduce-his-speeds-to-meet-the-views-of-negative/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) [Browse all 24 Detractors quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/detractors/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Unsurprisingly, Nelson Mandela had and still has many detractors.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Henry Rollins" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/unsurprisingly-nelson-mandela-had-and-still-has-many-detractors/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Detractors" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/unsurprisingly-nelson-mandela-had-and-still-has-many-detractors/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53b/henry-rollins-170_detractors_unsurprisingly-nelson-mandela-had-and-st_2553293.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53b/henry-rollins-170_detractors_unsurprisingly-nelson-mandela-had-and-st_2553293.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53b/henry-rollins-170_detractors_unsurprisingly-nelson-mandela-had-and-st_2553293.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Unsurprisingly, Nelson Mandela had and still has many detractors.” — Henry Rollins", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Henry Rollins", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Unsurprisingly, Nelson Mandela had and still...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/unsurprisingly-nelson-mandela-had-and-still-has-many-detractors/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/unsurprisingly-nelson-mandela-had-and-still-has-many-detractors/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```