We owe our children – the most vulnerable citizens in any society – a life free from violence and fear.
Nelson MandelaRead
We speak here of the challenge of the dichotomies of war and peace, violence and non-violence, racism and human dignity, oppression and repression and liberty and human rights, poverty and freedom from want.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote discusses the inherent challenges between conflicting societal values and the struggle for justice.
Nelson Mandela's quote highlights the complex interplay between opposing forces in society, such as war and peace, violence and non-violence, and oppression and freedom. He calls attention to the ongoing struggles humanity faces in addressing issues like racism, poverty, and the quest for human rights, illustrating that these dichotomies are central to the fight for dignity and equality.
Themes
WarPeaceViolenceNon-ViolenceHuman RightsJusticeDignityFreedom
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech at a human rights conference, this quote can emphasize the importance of striving for social justice.
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.
Nelson MandelaRead
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