Fridge Quotes from the Book:
- “You can see that there is no easy walk to freedom anywhere” and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountain tops of our desires. (Quoting Jawaharlal Nehru, from a presidential address to the ANC traansval congress, also known as “no easy walk to freedom” speech. South Africa, Sep 1953).
- There are many things that disturb you when children grow up without you. (From the documentary Mandela: The living legend, 2003)
- I can only say that I felt morally obliged to do what I did. (Speech from the dock, Rivonia Trial, Palace of Justice. Pretoria, South Africa, April 20, 1964).
- I was prepared for the death penalty. To be truly prepared for something, one must actually expect it. One cannot be prepared for something while secretly believing it will not happen. We all were prepared, not because we were brave but because we were realistic. (From long walk of freedom, 1994).
- Death is something inevitable. When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and to his country, he can rest in peace. I believe I have made that effort and that is, therefore, why I will sleep for the eternity. (From the Documentary Mandela, 1996).
- I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. I felt fear myself more times than I can remember, but I hid it behind the mask of boldness. (From long walk to freedom, 1994).
- Through the years oppressed people have fought for their birthright by peaceful means, where that was possible, and through force where peaceful channels were closed. (From a memorandum to president P.w.Botha written in Victor Verster Prison, Paarl, South Africa, July, 1989).
- Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people. (At the chief albert Luthuli Centenary Celebrations, Kwadukza, South Africa, April 25, 1998).
- We don’t want freedom without bread, nor do we want bread without freedom. (Investiture, Clark University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, July 10, 1993).
- I have never regarded any man as my superior, either in my life outside or inside prison. (From the letter to General Du Preez, Commissioner of Prison, written on Robben Island, July 12 1976).
