Other people have qualities that may be better than your own. Let them express them.

In countries where innocent people are dying, the leaders are following their blood rather than their brains.

If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.

I was called a terrorist yesterday, but when I came out of jail, many people embraced me, including my enemies, and that is what I normally tell other people who say those who are struggling for liberation in their country are terrorists.

That was one of the things that worried me – to be raised to the position of a semi-god – because then you are no longer a human being. I wanted to be known as Mandela, a man with weaknesses, some of which are fundamental, and a man who is committed, but never the less, sometimes he fails to live up to expectations.

There is a universal respect and even admiration for those who are humble and simple by nature, and who have absolute confidence in all human beings irrespective of their social status.

It is a grave error for any leader to be oversensitive in the face of criticism