Nelson Mandela

Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.

I was not a messiah, but an ordinary man who had become a leader because of extraordinary circumstances.

I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.

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

Difficulties break some men but make others.

I am the captain of my soul.

Whiskey is for drinking; water is for fighting over.

You should always own a black dress because no one ever remembers a black dress.

Turn on the prudent ant thy heedful eyes. Observe her labors, sluggard, and be wise.

Lexicographer: a writer of dictionaries, a harmless drudge, that busies himself in tracing the original, and detailing the signification of words.

As far as I knew white women were never lonely, except in books. White men adored them, Black men desired them and Black women worked for them.

How we glow over these novels of passion, when the story is told with any spark of truth and nature! And what fastens attention, in the intercourse of life, like any passage betraying affection between two parties? Perhaps we never saw them before and never shall meet them again. But we see them exchange a glance or betray a deep emotion, and we are no longer strangers. We understand them and take the warmest interest in the development of the romance. All mankind love a lover.

The measure of a master is his success in bringing all men around to his opinion twenty years later.

Take away the danger and remove the restraint, and wayward nature runs free.

A portion of mankind take pride in their vices and pursue their purpose; many more waver between doing what is right and complying with what is wrong.

Read not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted… but to weigh and consider.

If there be three distinct and separate Persons, then three distinct and separate Substances. . . . And since the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Spirit is God . . . then unless the Father, Son and Spirit are three distinct Nothings, they must be three distinct Substances, and consequently three distinct Gods.

You are a constant. Forever in my mind; forever in my heart. It seems that most matter how much I try I can’t get rid of you. You are a thorn, stuck in deep; painful to remove, and even when I do, still I’ll bleed and feel the soreness. It will take time, but it will heal. No matter the pain, I will still dare to pick roses.

In the word of no master am I bound to believe.

Only trust thyself, and another shall not betray thee.

Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.