We owe our children – the most vulnerable citizens in any society – a life free from violence and fear.
Nelson MandelaRead
Although Verwoerd thought Africans were lower than animals, his death did not yield us any pleasure. Political assassination is not something I or the ANC ever supported. It is a primitive way of contending with an opponent
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of moral principles over personal or political vendettas, even against those with opposing views.
In this quote, Nelson Mandela reflects on the death of Hendrik Verwoerd, a key architect of apartheid, indicating that despite Verwoerd's inhumane views towards Africans, he maintained a stance against political assassination. Mandela argues that such violent means are primitive and do not align with democratic values. This statement underlines his dedication to a higher moral compass in the struggle against oppression, advocating for the rejection of violence, even when confronted with grave injustices.
Themes
PoliticsAssassinationMoralityViolenceOppositionHumanityPrinciples
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech discussing the importance of peace in conflict resolution.
More from Nelson Mandela
All quotes →What freedom am I being offered while the organization of the people remains banned? Only free men can negotiate. A prisoner cannot enter into contracts.
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The past is a rich resource on which we can draw in order to make decisions for the future, but it does not dictate our choices. We should look back at the past and select what is good, and leave behind what is bad.
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We signal that good can be achieved amongst human beings who are prepared to trust, prepared to believe in the goodness of people.
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After one has been in prison, it is the small things that one appreciates: being able to take a walk whenever one wants, going into a shop and buying a newspaper, speaking or choosing to remain silent. The simple act of being able to control one's person.
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I dream of the realization of the unity of Africa, whereby its leaders combine in their efforts to solve the problems of this continent. I dream of our vast deserts, of our forests, of all our great wildernesses.
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