Freedom fighter, statesman, moral compass and South Africa’s symbol of the struggle against racial oppression.

That was Nelson Mandela, who emerged from prison after 27 years to lead his country out of decades of apartheid.

Here are some of his inspiring quotes:

“No one is born hating another person because of the

colour 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.”
“There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and

many of us will have to pass through the valley of the

shadow of death again and again before we reach the

mountaintop of our desires.”
“Our struggle for freedom and justice was a collective effort…it

is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it”
“Out of the experience of an extraordinary human disaster that lasted too long, must be born a society of which all humanity will be proud”
“We understand it still that there is no easy road to freedom. We know it well that none of us acting alone can acheive success. We must therefore act together as a united people, for national reconciliation, for nation building, for the birth of a new world.”