Nelson Mandela Quotes

Until we are all free, we are none of us free.

I grew up with injustice and could do nothing about it. But once in America, I had freedom of choice.

For as long as I can remember, I've always been interested in issues of social justice, political freedom, and civil rights.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that you have to agree with people and their beliefs to defend them from injustice.

Liberty without equality is a name of noble sound and squalid result.

The Governments of the States parties to this Constitution on behalf of their peoples declare: that since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed; that ignorance of each other's ways and lives has been a common cause, throughout the history of mankind, of that suspicion and mistrust between the peoples of the world through which their differences have all too often broken into war; that the great and terrible war which has now ended was a war made possible by the denial of the democratic principles of the dignity, equality and mutual respect of men, and by the propagation, in their place, through ignorance and prejudice, of the doctrine of the inequality of men and races; that the wide diffusion of culture, and the education of humanity for justice and liberty and peace are indispensable to the dignity of man and constitute a sacred duty which all the nations must fulfill in a spirit of mutual assistance and concern; that a peace based exclusively upon the political and economic arrangements of governments would not be a peace which could secure the unanimous, lasting and sincere support of the peoples of the world, and that the peace must therefore be founded, if it is not to fail, upon the intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind.

From today onwards, all tyranny, injustice, atrocities, deportations and massacres are banished from this country.

Let us hasten to break the chains of those victims who groan in their dungeons, awaiting salvation at your hands! Do not abuse their confidence! Do not turn a deaf ear to the lamentations of your brothers! Let us fly quickly to avenge the dead, to give life to the dying, freedom to the oppressed and liberty to all!

Freedom is indivisible; the chains on any one of my people were the chains on all of them, the chains on all of my people were the chains on me.

Is word, sound, and powa dat break down de barriers of oppression an drive away transgression an rule equality.

We must keep fighting until using the word 'equality' isn't necessary because we will all be living as one.

We are living in tumultuous times, and our focus should be fighting against the oppression and injustices that are against us - not battling those who are on the same side of seeking justice and peace.

Justice, particularly for the oppressed and marginalized in our society, never comes without great effort and sacrifice.

I have undertaken vengeance. I want Liberty and Equality to reign in Saint-Domingue. I work to bring them into existence. Unite yourselves to us, brothers, and fight with us for the same cause.

We are one people, and we cannot let the power of darkness or Power, Priviledge, and Control - destroy the Light.

We understand it still that there is no easy road to freedom. We know it well that none of us acting alone can achieve success. We must therefore act together as a united people, for national reconciliation, for nation building, for the birth of a new world. Let there be justice for all. Let there be peace for all. Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all. 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.

Friends, Comrades and fellow South Africans. I greet you all in the name of peace, democracy and freedom for all. I stand here before you not as a prophet but as a humble servant of you, the people. Your tireless and heroic sacrifices have made it possible for me to be here today. I therefore place the remaining years of my life in your hands.

Finally and long overdue, your people, oppressed and disgraced by hatred and maliciousness, have achieved justice: now you enjoy full citizen's rights, but you'll remain Jews nonetheless.

As long as one people sit on another and are deaf to their cry, so long will understanding and peace elude all of us.

We will not know our own injustice if we cannot imagine justice. We will not be free if we do not imagine freedom. We cannot demand that anyone try to attain justice and freedom who has not had a chance to imagine them as attainable.

The victory of democracy in South Africa is the common achievement of all humanity.

An injustice committed against anyone is a threat to everyone.

If one of us is chained, none of us are free...

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

Where terrorists offer injustice, disorder and destruction, the United States and its allies stand for freedom, fairness, equality, hope, and opportunity.