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" I should tie myself to no particular system of society other than of socialism. "

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" You know, you can only lead them from behind. "

" We pledge ourselves to liberate all our people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination. "

" Unlike some politicians, I can admit to a mistake. "

" Apart from life, a strong constitution, and an abiding connection to the Thembu royal house, the only thing my father bestowed upon me at birth was a name, Rolihlahla. "

" There are many people in South Africa who are rich and who can share those riches with those not so fortunate who have not been able to conquer poverty. "

" At the outset, I want to say that the suggestion that the struggle in South Africa is under the influence of foreigners or communists is wholly incorrect. I have done whatever I did because of my experience in South Africa and my own proudly felt African background, and not because of what any outsider might have said. "

" When I came to Johannesburg from the countryside, I knew nobody, but many strangers were very kind to me. I then was dragged into politics, and then, subsequently, I became a lawyer. "

" Africans require, want, the franchise on the basis of one man one vote. They want political independence. "

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

" Only free men can negotiate. A prisoner cannot enter into contracts. "

" When the water starts boiling it is foolish to turn off the heat. "

" Our human compassion binds us the one to the other - not in pity or patronizingly, but as human beings who have learnt how to turn our common suffering into hope for the future. "

" I was first imprisoned in Pretoria, and then, thereafter, I was taken to Robben Island. I stayed there for a couple of weeks. I was taken back to Pretoria when I was charged in the Rivonia trial, when I was then sent to Robben Island for life. "

" Sabotage did not involve loss of life, and it offered the best hope for future race relations. Bitterness would be kept to a minimum and, if the policy bore fruit, democratic government could become a reality. "

" Leaders in all spheres who are living with HIV should be encouraged, not coerced, to lead by example and disclose their HIV status. "

" Does anybody really think that they didn't get what they had because they didn't have the talent or the strength or the endurance or the commitment? "

" I cannot conceive of Israel withdrawing if Arab states do not recognize Israel, within secure borders. "

" In my country we go to prison first and then become President. "

" For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. "

" There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered. "

" There are so many men and women who hold no distinctive positions but whose contribution towards the development of society has been enormous. "

" Courageous people do not fear forgiving, for the sake of peace. "

" As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest. "

" Before I went to jail, I was active in politics as a member of South Africa's leading organization - and I was generally busy from 7 A.M. until midnight. I never had time to sit and think. "

" 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. "

" I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die. "

" Whatever position I occupied, it was the result of colleagues - of my comrades in the movement - who had decided in their wisdom to use me for the purpose of focusing the attention of the country and the international community on me. "

" I made a mistake by being ejected from the presidency. Next time, I will choose a Cabinet which will allow me to be life President. "

" It always seems impossible until it's done. "

" People respond in accordance to how you relate to them. If you approach them on the basis of violence, that's how they'll react. But if you say, 'We want peace, we want stability,' we can then do a lot of things that will contribute towards the progress of our society. "