“Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.”

“It always seems impossible, until it is done.”

“Lead from the back – and let others believe they are in front.”

"I have always believed exercise is a key not only to physical health but to peace of mind."

“I am fundamentally an optimist. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.”

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."

“Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”

“I like friends who have independent minds because they tend to make you see problems from all angles.”

“No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”

<h5><time datetime="2022-07-17T15:40:00Z">Jul 17, 2022</time></h5><img src="https://assets.weforum.org/article/image/large_XQ7y0yxdPbc-FPVw5TVfkcd-yfr2CQyMSo6Whvslj4w.jpg" width="785" height="543">The words of wisdom Nelson Mandela spoke throughout his life form part of his enduring legacy. Image:&nbsp;REUTERS/ Juda NgwenyaThis article was first published in July 2019 and updated in July 2022.<UL><LI><div>18 July is Nelson Mandela Day, marking the day of the late South African president's birth.</div></LI><LI><div>This year, the Nelson Mandela Foundation is calling on people to 'Do what you can, with what you have, where you are' to tackle food insecurity.</div></LI><LI><div>Here are 11 of Nelson Mandela's most inspirational quotes.</div></LI></UL>Nelson Mandela would have been 104 on 18 July 2022.South Africa’s first Black president, the anti-Apartheid hero, and Nobel laureate – known affectionately as <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/nelson-mandela/10501587/Nelson-Mandela-Madiba-Tata-whats-in-a-name.html" dir="ltr">Madiba and Tata</a> – was born on 18 July 1918, and died in 2013, aged 95.<img src="https://assets.weforum.org/editor/Zp8xTxAa8o6R1WBSlfSbG-BRl30swHLaZS6i-esidN8.jpg" width="785" height="554"><figcaption dir="ltr">Mandela joins World Economic Forum Founder Klaus Schwab in Davos in 1992. Image: World Economic Forum</figcaption>Every year since 2009, the Nelson Mandela Foundation has marked his birthday with <a href="https://www.mandeladay.com/" dir="ltr">Mandela Day</a>, to carry on his work and inspire others to take action against poverty and change the world.This year, the Foundation is <a href="https://www.nelsonmandela.org/news/entry/media-statement-this-mandela-day-do-what-you-can-with-what-you-have-where-you-are" dir="ltr">highlighting the intersection between food security, climate change, poverty, and inequality</a> and urging people to: “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are”.It will focus on sustainable interventions such as fruit and indigenous tree planting and promoting community and backyard gardens. <img src="https://assets.weforum.org/editor/qMPM0row-EkPeNkWKrdpcjBjtZmdA5WHOuaNpVaARVk.jpg" width="785" height="561"><figcaption dir="ltr">Nelson Mandela addresses a rally in June 1995. Image: Juda Ngwenya/Reuters</figcaption><h3>Nelson Mandela's best quotes</h3>The words of wisdom Mandela spoke throughout his life form part of his enduring legacy. Here are just 11 of his best quotes:1. Be passionate“Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.”2. Nothing’s impossible“It always seems impossible, until it is done.”3. Lead from the back...“Lead from the back – and let others believe they are in front.”4. Exercise"I have always believed exercise is a key not only to physical health but to peace of mind." 5. Make a difference“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” 6. Be optimistic“I am fundamentally an optimist. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.”<img src="https://assets.weforum.org/editor/KfKqdL0rjeaFFC0sUWJJedmNNYo35WYwhlgzwzlA8UU.jpg" width="785" height="520"><figcaption dir="ltr">A supporter holds a Mandela placard during an ANC rally in May 2019. Image: REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko</figcaption>7. Learn and teach“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”8. Make mistakes“Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”<img src="https://assets.weforum.org/editor/gvduQXvw5rGGzvJFVzg2JBUey4gkHqpiPGzpRwLozNo.jpg" width="785" height="442">9. Don’t waste time“We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.”10. Choose your friends wisely“I like friends who have independent minds because they tend to make you see problems from all angles.”11. Love others“No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”

18 July is Nelson Mandela Day, marking the late South African president's birth. Here are some of his most inspiring quotes - and how his legacy lives on.

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Motivation & Inspiration

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Leadership & Management

The words of wisdom Nelson Mandela spoke throughout his life form part of his enduring legacy. Image: REUTERS/ Juda Ngwenya

This article was first published in July 2019 and updated in July 2022.

<ul><li><div>18 July is Nelson Mandela Day, marking the day of the late South African president's birth. </div> </li><li><div>This year, the Nelson Mandela Foundation is calling on people to 'Do what you can, with what you have, where you are' to tackle food insecurity. </div> </li><li><div>Here are 11 of Nelson Mandela's most inspirational quotes. </div> </li> </ul>

Nelson Mandela would have been 104 on 18 July 2022.

South Africa’s first Black president, the anti-Apartheid hero, and Nobel laureate – known affectionately as <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/nelson-mandela/10501587/Nelson-Mandela-Madiba-Tata-whats-in-a-name.html">Madiba and Tata </a>– was born on 18 July 1918, and died in 2013, aged 95.

Every year since 2009, the Nelson Mandela Foundation has marked his birthday with <a href="https://www.mandeladay.com/">Mandela Day </a>, to carry on his work and inspire others to take action against poverty and change the world.

This year, the Foundation is <a href="https://www.nelsonmandela.org/news/entry/media-statement-this-mandela-day-do-what-you-can-with-what-you-have-where-you-are">highlighting the intersection between food security, climate change, poverty, and inequality </a>and urging people to: “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are”.

It will focus on sustainable interventions such as fruit and indigenous tree planting and promoting community and backyard gardens.

The words of wisdom Mandela spoke throughout his life form part of his enduring legacy. Here are just 11 of his best quotes:

“Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.”

2. Nothing’s impossible

“It always seems impossible, until it is done.”

“Lead from the back – and let others believe they are in front.”

"I have always believed exercise is a key not only to physical health but to peace of mind."

“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”

“I am fundamentally an optimist. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.”

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

“Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”

“We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.”

10. Choose your friends wisely

“I like friends who have independent minds because they tend to make you see problems from all angles.”

“No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”

Here are 11 of Nelson Mandela’s most inspirational quotes

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