Out of the experience of extraordinary human disaster that lasted too long, must be born a society of which all humanity will be proud...
The power of imagination created the illusion that my vision went much farther than the naked eye could actually see.
My respect for human beings is based not on the colour of a man’s skin nor authority he may wield, but purely on merit.
I like friends who have independent minds because they tend to make you see problems from all angles.
Sometimes strident, often tender, never afraid and seldom without humour, Desmond Tutu’s voice will always be the voice of the voiceless.
There is nobody more dangerous than one who has been humiliated, even when you humiliate him rightly.
A society that does not value its older people denies its roots and endangers its future. Let us strive to enhance their capacity to support themselves for as long as possible and, when they cannot do so anymore, to care for them.
The calm and tolerant atmosphere that prevailed during the elections depicts the type of South Africa we can build. It set the tone for the future. We might have our differences, but we are one people with a common destiny in our rich variety of culture, race and tradition.
I learned to have the patience to listen when people put forward their views, even if I think those views are wrong. You can’t reach a just decision in a dispute unless you listen to both sides.
We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference.
I should tie myself to no particular system of society other than of socialism.
People tend to measure themselves by external accomplishments, but jail allows a person to focus on internal ones; such as honesty, sincerity, simplicity, humility, generosity and an absence of variety. You learn to look into yourself.
There can be no greater gift than that of giving one’s time and energy to help others without expecting anything in return.
No child in Africa, and in fact anywhere in the world, should be denied education.
I am not an optimist, but a great believer of hope.
We owe our children – the most vulnerable citizens in any society – a life free from violence and fear.
Take it upon yourself where you live to make people around you joyful and full of hope.
When we can sit in the face of insanity or dislikes and be free from the need to make it different, then we are free.
I would like to be remembered not as anyone unique or special, but as part of a great team in this country that has struggled for many years, for decades and even centuries. The greatest glory of living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time you fall.
The cause of Communism is the greatest cause in the history of mankind!