10 great Mandela quotes on greatness

Through his humility and generosity of spirit, he helped charter a reconciliatory course for South Africa’s democratic future. In taking his example forward, Mandela Day is about emulating the three principles Madiba himself followed throughout his life – free yourself, free others, serve every day. Following these three principles, the aim of Mandela Day is to ensure that we continue to perpetuate Madiba’s legacy in making our world a better one for all, through acts of kindness, no matter how small.

These 10 quotes by the great man himself embody what greatness means:

1. Sometimes it falls on a generation to be great. You can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom.

2. Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are younot to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

3. I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.

4. It always seems impossible until it’s done.

5. A good head and good heart are always a formidable combination. But when you add to that a literate tongue or pen, then you have something very special.

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

7. I am the captain of my soul.

8. A leader. . .is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.

9. A winner is a dreamer who never gives up.

10. You will achieve more in this world through acts of mercy than you will through acts of retribution