Nelson Mandela

The greatest glory in living lies in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

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

Tread softly, Breathe peacefully, Laugh hysterically.

It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another.

A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.

Difficulties break some men but make others.

Who ever is out of patience is out of possession of their soul.

By common consent of all the nations and all the ages the most valuable thing in this world is the homage of men, whether deserved or undeserved.

If men be good, government cannot be bad.

Nothing does reason more right, than the coolness of those that offer it: For Truth often suffers more by the heat of its defenders, than from the arguments of its opposers.

A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.

However small the chance might be of striking lucky, the chance is there. The chance had to be there.

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

Begin, be bold and venture to be wise.

It is no great art to say something briefly when, like Tacitus, one has something to say; when one has nothing to say, however, and none the less writes a whole book and makes truth into a liar – that I call an achievement.

Every wall is a door.

There are two tragedies in life. One is to lose your heart’s desire. The other is to gain it.

I dislike feeling at home when I am abroad.

Self-trust is the essence of heroism.

People sleep, and when they die they wake.

Welcome evermore to gods and men is the self-helping man. For him all doors are flung wide: him all tongues greet, all honors crown, all eyes follow with desire. Our love goes out to him and embraces him, because he did not need it. We solicitously and apologetically caress and celebrate him, because he held on his way and scorned our disapprobation. The gods loved him because men hated him.