Nelson Mandela

Man’s goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.

Topic: Leadership
Photo: Jeffrey Benjamin

More Quotes from Nelson Mandela

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

So many of our dreams at first seem impossible. Then they seem improbable. And then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.

› Nelson Mandela

Determination Dreams Possibility

Responsibility Society

Great peacemakers are all people of integrity, of honesty, but humility. — Nelson Mandela

Honesty Integrity Leadership Peace

The brave man is not the one who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. — Nelson Mandela

Confidence Courage Fear Leadership

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. — Nelson Mandela

Passion Perseverance

You can never have an impact on society if you have not yet changed yourself. — Nelson Mandela

Change Self Society

I am fundamentally an optimist. Part of being optimistic is keeping one's head pointed toward the sun, one's feet moving forward. — Nelson Mandela

Action Attitude Optimism

Revenge-seeking minds destroy states, while those seeking reconciliation build nations.

› Nelson Mandela

Focus Forgiveness

More on Leadership

In some ways, I saw the garden as a metaphor for certain aspects of my life. A leader must also tend his garden; he, too, plants seeds, and then watches, cultivates, and harvests the result. — Nelson Mandela

Leadership Practice Work

A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.

› Lao-tzu

Leadership Team Teamwork

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. — Chinese Proverb

Character Example Leadership

Love inspires, illumines, designates and leads the way.

› Mary Baker Eddy

Inspiration Leadership Love

The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.

› William Arthur Ward

Example Leadership

Those who enjoy responsibility usually get it; those who merely enjoy exercising authority usually lose it.

› Malcolm S. Forbes

Accountability Freedom Leadership Power Responsibility Self-esteem

No man can be a good ruler unless he has first been ruled. — Russian Proverb

Leadership

When a mighty tree falls, the birds are scattered into the bush. — Nigerian Proverb

Fear Freedom Leadership Liberty

Never fail to honor your people. When a true leader’s work is done and his aims fulfilled, they should say and believe, ‘we did this ourselves’. — General George Patton

Appreciation Honor Leadership Team

You don't have to be great to start but you have to start to be great. — Zig Ziglar

Action Goals Leadership Work

At the center of your being you are the answer. You know who you are, and you know what you want.

› Rumi

Leadership Self

Real firmness is good for anything; strut is good for nothing. — Alexander Hamilton

Leadership Negotiation Persuasion

In the beginning of a change the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot. — Mark Twain

Freedom Leadership Society

The bow too tensely strung is easily broken. — Publilius Syrus

Leadership

Until you can put your attention where you want it you have not become master of yourself. — Emmet Fox

Focus Leadership Power Self

Heaven never helps the man who will not act. — Sophocles

Action Leadership

The most effective way to do it, is to do it. — Amelia Earhart

Action Leadership Work

The price of greatness is responsibility. — Winston Churchill

Leadership Responsibility

We always like those who admire us; we do not always like those whom we admire.

› Rochefoucauld

Leadership Life

Today a reader, tomorrow a reader. — Margaret Fuller

Leadership Learning

He who loves the world as his body may be entrusted with the empire. — Lao-tzu

Leadership Love Trust

You renounce your success when you blame others for your failures. — Jeffrey Benjamin

Accountability Failure Leadership Success

The present moment is the only time over which we have dominion.

› Thich Nhat Hanh

Leadership Time

Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.

› Albert Camus

Friendship Leadership