Prison life, fortunately, I spent a lot of years, about 18 years with other prisoners, and, as I say, they enriched your soul.
The process of illusion & disillusionment is part of life and goes on endlessly.
Our daily deeds as ordinary South Africans must produce an actual South African reality that will reinforce humanity's belief in justice, strenthen its confidence in the nobility of the human soul, and sustain all our hopes for a glorious life for all.
When those in power deny you of freedom the only path to freedom is power
Even if you have a terminal disease, you don't have to sit down and mope. Enjoy life and challenge the illness that you have.
Sometimes, I feel like one who is on the sidelines, who has missed life itself.
Love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.
I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.
It always seems impossible until its done.
There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.
Sabotage did not involve loss of life, and it offered the best hope for future race relations. Bitterness would be kept to a minimum and, if the policy bore fruit, democratic government could become a reality.
Apart from life, a strong constitution, and an abiding connection to the Thembu royal house, the only thing my father bestowed upon me at birth was a name, Rolihlahla.
I was first imprisoned in Pretoria, and then, thereafter, I was taken to Robben Island. I stayed there for a couple of weeks. I was taken back to Pretoria when I was charged in the Rivonia trial, when I was then sent to Robben Island for life.
I will not leave South Africa, nor will I surrender. Only through hardship, sacrifice and militant action can freedom be won. The struggle is my life. I will continue fighting for freedom until the end of my days.
This is one of the most important moments in the life of our country. I stand here before you filled with deep pride and joy - pride in the ordinary, humble people of this country. You have shown such calm, patient determination to reclaim this count
No one is born hating another person because of the color 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.
Live life as though nobody is watching, and express yourself as though everyone is listening.
One of the few advantages of prison life is that one has time to read. This opened our minds and forced us to re-examine some of our views.