I have always regarded myself, in the first place, as an African patriot.
By ancestry, I was born to rule.
Leaders in all spheres who are living with HIV should be encouraged, not coerced, to lead by example and disclose their HIV status.
I dream of the realization of the unity of Africa, whereby its leaders combine in their efforts to solve the problems of this continent. I dream of our vast deserts, of our forests, of all our great wildernesses.
Nonviolence is a good policy when the conditions permit.
I can’t pretend that I’m brave and that I can beat the whole world.
If you are poor, you are not likely to live long.
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.
Africans require, want, the franchise on the basis of one man one vote. They want political independence.
Our single most important challenge is therefore to help establish a social order in which the freedom of the individual will truly mean the freedom of the individual.
There are times when a leader must move out ahead of the flock, go off in a new direction, confident that he is leading his people the right way.
There is no such thing as part freedom.
Give a child love, laughter and peace, not AIDS.
Only free men can negotiate; prisoners cannot enter into contracts. Your freedom and mine cannot be separated.
I cannot conceive of Israel withdrawing if Arab states do not recognize Israel, within secure borders.
Where globalization means, as it so often does, that the rich and powerful now have new means to further enrich and empower themselves at the cost of the poorer and weaker, we have a responsibility to protest in the name of universal freedom.
It is wise to persuade people to do things and make them think it was their own idea.
Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings.
We recall our terrible past so that we can deal with it, to forgive where forgiveness is necessary, without forgetting; to ensure that never again will such inhumanity tear us apart; and to move ourselves to eradicate a legacy that lurks dangerously as a threat to our democracy.
Forgiveness liberates the soul. It removes fear. That is why it is such a powerful weapon.